Functionalist Inspiration for Final Project

Growing up, I never thought much about aesthetics. If something worked, that was all that mattered. As a kid, I wasn’t drawn to how things looked—only to whether they functioned well. Over time I started to appreciate design more, but my core belief remained the same: function drives form, and when something is designed with pure utility in mind, it often ends up looking good anyway. Because of this I believe my aesthetic is functionalist.

One of the biggest influences on my perspective was Casey Neistat’s workspace. His office was chaotic, packed with tools and gear, but it was highly organized and perfectly tailored to his workflow. It wasn’t the clean, white-walled minimalist aesthetic that so many people associate with functionalist design. Instead, it was maximalist functionalism—everything had a place, everything had a purpose, and nothing was wasted. That approach really resonated with me. It wasn’t about making things look sleek for the sake of it, but about optimizing a space in a way that enhances creativity and productivity.

At the same time, I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors and rugged design. Camping, hiking, and being outside have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I love seeing how people build with limited resources—how they create shelters, tools, and entire campsites with only the materials around them. There’s something raw and impressive about that. Outdoorsy design has a natural honesty to it—it prioritizes durability, simplicity, and adaptability. It doesn’t try to be flashy; it just needs to work. And when you pair that with the beauty of nature, you get something that feels both practical and meaningful.

My background in engineering pushed me even further into functionalist design thinking. Engineering workshops aren’t made to be pretty—they’re built for efficiency. Everything has a role, and every tool is positioned for a reason. There’s a beauty in that organization, in knowing that form follows function. When I think about why I love design, it comes down to personalization—the idea that you can create something that is uniquely yours. Designing for yourself is one of the most rewarding experiences because it allows you to shape the world around you in a way that serves you best.

This is exactly what inspired my final project: a camp table that blends my two favorite aesthetics—maximalist functionalism and rugged outdoor design. It’s a piece of gear that I’ll use, and it will be built specifically for my needs. I want it to be sturdy, portable, easy to transport, and designed to hold my tools and gear efficiently. The goal is to create something that doesn’t just exist for the sake of being a table but is a practical tool that enhances my outdoor experience.

With this project, I’m embracing my own design philosophy—creating something personal, useful, and built with intention. Whether it turns out ultra-minimal or packed with smart storage features, it will be made for me, by me. And to me, that’s what great design is all about.

Casey Neistat’s Office: http://treyspeegle.com/010113/2013/7/25/casey-neistats-got-the-coolest-workspace

Bushcraft Table: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bushcraft/comments/ybqoud/bushcraft_build_beer_table_tools_knife_hatchet/

Cabin in Woods: https://www.nps.gov/lacl/learn/historyculture/proennekes-cabin.htm

Workshop Tools: https://www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/designmanufacturingengineeringmanagement/ourfacilities/dmemworkshops/