Upcycle Project Progress: LED Backlit Wall Decor

For my upcycling project, I am creating a CU Boulder logo with LED backlighting, using recycled materials such as cardboard, foam board, or acrylic as the main structure. The design will feature a cut-out or raised CU logo, with strategically placed LED lights behind it to create a glowing effect. This project blends sustainability with creativity, transforming simple materials into a striking piece of illuminated art. The backlit logo can serve as a decorative wall piece or a desk display, making it both functional and visually appealing.

Over the past two weeks, I’ve finalized my design and gathered materials. The idea is a circular piece with the CU Buffaloes logo in the center, with cutouts that allow light to shine through. I wanted to keep the design clean and modern, focusing on the contrast between light and shadow.

LED source: amazon.com

For materials, I chose cardboard since it’s easy to work with and perfect for layering to create depth. I also got LED strip lights to achieve the backlit effect. I laser-cut the cardboard and started stacking and gluing the layers together, leaving space for the lighting inside. So far, everything is coming together well, and I’ve been experimenting with the LED placement to get the right glow.

The next steps are refining the lighting effect and making sure the final piece looks polished. Let’s see how it turns out.