Main Project Aesthetics: Plans and Alternatives.

I am planning on sticking with the same aesthetic that I used for my first project, “Ski Bum”, but also tying it more into my own aesthetic so that I make something that I will actually use. The ski bum is all about a carefree, adventurous lifestyle, deeply rooted in the culture of skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor exploration. It values functionality, comfort, and self-expression, often reflected in handmade or repurposed items, bold colors, and a mix of vintage and modern gear. The aesthetic draws inspiration from the mountain lifestyle, where people prioritize experiences over material possessions. Clothing and accessories are often second-hand, patched, or upcycled, emphasizing sustainability and resourcefulness. I have further expanded on this aesthetic is past posts if you are more interested.

For my final project, I want to use this aesthetic and twist it to fit into my own. I love colors and vintage pieces, so I am going to use a pair of old skies to make bookends for my bookshelf and if I have enough left I might try and make a shelf as well. They also sell these ski holders now for holding your skies on the side of your cars and I might also explore doing that with the skies.

Beyond these ideas, I might explore other ways to integrate the ski bum aesthetic into your project. For example, using ski poles as supports for a hanging rack. I might also add handmade touches, like painting colorful patterns on the skis before turning them into bookends, to further reinforce the DIY nature of this aesthetic. For the vintage elements, I might lean into retro ski designs from the ’70s and ’80s, incorporating bright neon colors, geometric patterns, or even old ski brand logos to add a nostalgic feel.

The first aesthetic that would be opposite of ski bum and my aesthetics would be modernism. Modernism is almost the complete opposite of ski bum culture. While ski bum design thrives on a sense of adventure and repurposing, modernist design is sleek, purposeful, and often factory-produced. Modernism favors clean lines, simple forms, and high-quality materials over ornamentation. The focus is on function over decoration, meaning everything is designed to serve a purpose efficiently. The bookends for modernism would be something like the West Elm ones shown above. They would have muted colors, maybe black, white or grey. The design would have fluidity. I like the one above because it resembles a rock and I think it could be made with paper mache or finding a rock outdoors and shaving it down somehow. If I did I shelf for this aesthetic, I would do something simplistic but also functional. I would maybe only do one board but I would paint it black or white.

The second aesthetic would be minimalist. Minimalism, like modernism, embraces simplicity, but it takes it even further by eliminating anything unnecessary. Minimalism is about reducing clutter, both visually and physically, and emphasizing only the essential elements. In contrast to the ski bum aesthetic, which celebrates bold colors and DIY charm, minimalism prefers neutral colors, straight lines, and high functionality. For the bookends for minimalist, I would keep them very simple. I would try to fastener together two thin pieces of metal with welding. I would maybe spray paint it black or a muted color. The key with minimalism is that things are functional while also being aesthetic. Unlike modernist bookends, which might have sculptural qualities, minimalist bookends would be nearly invisible, drawing no attention to themselves. For a shelf, minimalism would favor a thin, flat plank, possibly floating without visible supports.

Each of these aesthetics offers a lot of room for design, but I most align my personal aesthetic with something adjacent to the ski bum aesthetic, which is why I am choosing it for this project.

1. West Elm. “Bruke Bookend.” West Elm, www.westelm.com/products/bruke-bookend-d18493. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

2. Amazon. “SnoStrip Protective Snowboard & Ski Rack for Vehicle.” Amazon, www.amazon.com/SnoStrip-Protective-Snowboard-Vehicle-Magnetic/dp/B08P5X5DLX. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

3. Newschoolers. “What Is a Ski Bum?” Newschoolers, www.newschoolers.com/news/read/What-a-Ski-Buma. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

4. Unison Home. “Ellepi Yellow Steel Bookends – Set of 2.” Unison Home, www.unisonhome.com/ellepi-yellow-steel-bookends-set-of-2.html. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

5. Jess, The Minimal. “Aesthetic Minimalism vs. Lifestyle Minimalism.” Medium, 19 Apr. 2023, medium.com/@theminimaljess/aesthetic-minimalism-vs-lifestyle-minimalism-4498d2cb85cb. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

6. Novak, Susie. “What Is the Modern Design Aesthetic?” Susie Novak Interiors, 10 May 2022, www.susienovakinteriors.com/susie-novak-design-blog/what-is-the-modern-design-aesthetic. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

7. Heller, Steven. “Building Shelves Out of Golf Clubs and Skis.” The New York Times, 3 Oct. 2012, www.nytimes.com/2012/10/04/garden/building-shelves-out-of-golf-clubs-and-skis-the-pragmatist.html. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.