Upcycle Design Report: Topographic Art Piece

This project took a lot for me to come up with something not only worthy of a good grade, but that my girlfriend would be happy with. The goal was to create an upcycled design piece that not only showcased my technical skills but also held deep personal meaning. With Valentine’s Day approaching, I decided to combine the two by crafting a topographic map of Greece, my girlfriend’s home country, using cardboard and paint. The result was a textured, abstract art piece that captured the beauty of Greece’s mountainous landscape and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea.

The process was both challenging and rewarding. From sourcing materials to experimenting with techniques, I poured my heart into every detail. This blog post will walk you through my journey—from the initial inspiration to the final fabrication—and reflect on what this project taught me about creativity, problem-solving, and the power of upcycling.

When I first started brainstorming ideas for this project, I knew I wanted to create something meaningful. I stumbled upon the work of Palmer Dick-Montez, a previous student who had created a topographic art piece using moss to represent a mountain range. Their work struck a chord with me, particularly the way they used texture to bring the piece to life. While Palmer’s piece leaned into an “industrial chic” aesthetic, I wanted to take a different approach, focusing on abstraction and emotional resonance.

Another major influence was Werner Bronkhorst, an artist known for his thick, textured paintings that evoke the movement of waves and slopes. His use of acrylic paint and gel medium inspired me to experiment with similar techniques to create a tactile, visually engaging representation of Greece’s terrain.

The idea of a topographic map felt perfect—it allowed me to combine my love for geography and art while creating something deeply personal for my girlfriend. Greece, with its rugged mountains and iconic islands, offered a rich visual landscape to explore. I envisioned a piece that would not only capture the physical contours of the land but also evoke the feeling of being there—a little piece of home for her to cherish.

Step 1: Gathering Data

Creating a topographic map of an entire country is no small feat. I started by researching contour maps of Greece, but quickly ran into challenges. Unlike smaller, well-documented areas like Estes Park (which Palmer used for their project), Greece’s topography wasn’t as readily available in the detail I needed.

After some trial and error, I turned to Google Earth. Using its 3D terrain feature, I traced the contours of Greece and exported the data as a .kmz file. From there, I converted the file into a .txt format and used QGIS, a geographic information system software, to generate contour lines.

The first few attempts were underwhelming. With 20 contour lines, the map lacked detail; even with 30 lines, the shape of Greece wasn’t as recognizable as I’d hoped. I realized that manually refining the contours in a program like Fusion 360 or Rhino might be necessary, but time constraints forced me to pivot. Instead, I decided to embrace the abstraction and focus on capturing the essence of Greece’s landscape rather than an exact replica.

Step 2: Material Selection

Cardboard was the obvious choice for this project. Not only is it easy to upcycle, but it’s also lightweight and easy to laser cut. I sourced my materials from Sprouts, where I work, collecting discarded boxes that would otherwise end up in the recycling bin.

For the paint, I chose acrylics because of their versatility and vibrant colors. To achieve the textured look inspired by Werner Bronkhorst, I mixed acrylic gel medium with the paint, creating a thick, almost sculptural finish.

Step 3: Laser Cutting and Assembly

Using the contour lines I generated, I prepared the files for laser cutting. The ATLAS building’s BTU lab became my second home as I meticulously cut each layer of cardboard. Stacking the layers was like putting together a 3D puzzle—each piece added depth and dimension to the map.

Once the structure was complete, I moved on to painting. The Mediterranean Sea was rendered in a rich, textured blue, while the land was painted in earthy tones to mimic Greece’s natural palette. I experimented with different brushstrokes and techniques to create a sense of movement and depth, ensuring the piece felt alive.

Final Artifact & Reflection 

The finished piece was everything I had hoped for and more. The layers of cardboard created a striking tactile quality, while the textured paint added a sense of dynamism and depth. When I presented it to my girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, her reaction was priceless—she immediately recognized the contours of Greece and was touched by the effort and thought behind it.

This project taught me the value of perseverance and creativity. From troubleshooting data issues to experimenting with new techniques, I pushed myself to think outside the box and embrace the imperfections. It also reinforced the importance of upcycling—transforming something as simple as cardboard into a meaningful work of art felt incredibly rewarding.

Looking back, I’m proud of what I accomplished. This piece isn’t just a map; it’s a love letter, a testament to the power of art to connect us to the places and people we cherishWhat’s Next? 

This project has sparked a newfound interest in topographic art for me. In the future, I’d love to explore other landscapes and experiment with different materials, such as wood or resin. I’m also curious about incorporating technology, like LED lighting, to add another layer of depth to the piece.

For now, though, I’m happy to see this map displayed proudly in my girlfriend’s apartment—a little piece of Greece that reminds her of home every day.

All images were taken by myself.