Portfolio: Taylor Wittwer
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This semester in Aesthetics of Design has taught me a lot about how to make things functional, but also look good. Through exploring different design movements, learning how to give and receive constructive critique, and applying aesthetic principles to physical artifacts, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the intersection of art and engineering. We completed…
Aesthetics Of Design Portfolio: Bryce Johnson
My experience taking aesthetics of design was a great one. At the start of the class, I knew I that I needed to make two projects, an upcycle project and a final project, each based on its own aesthetic. At the time, I was not sure what I was going to do for either project,…
Aesthetics Portfolio: Seth Strayer – Custom Electric Guitar and the Bookframe
They gave me tools and said I could make anything I wanted. How often does that happen? Aesthetics in Design was a “go-and-build-it” class, highlighting form where function is commonly the emphasis in engineering education. Armed with a graduate-level skillset and full access to the campus’s myriad of resources, we were turned loose to find out what creative…
Post 13 – Portfolio: Chaos, Craft & Chamkis
This semester in Aesthetics of Design has been a whirlwind of yarn tangles, mirror glue mishaps, late-night sewing marathons, and a lot of “wait, is this how you use a hot glue gun?”moments. But somewhere between uncertainty and ambition, I found myself building two very real, very personal projects that I’m genuinely proud of. 
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Portfolio
This semester in Aesthetics of Design, I learned how to choose an aesthetic and create a design based on my choice. In doing so, I grew my design skills significantly as I focused on both my Upcycle Project and later my Final Design Project. My Upcycle Project focused on using recycled materials to design and…
Where Art Meets Function
Throughout my graduate program, I’ve sought opportunities to explore the intersection of computational origami, creative fabrication, and functional design. This class has been uniquely transformative in that journey—truly embodying the philosophy that “you get what you put into it.” The Evolution of My Design Approach The course’s thoughtful progression from aesthetic theory to practical application…
Portfolio
This semester I decided to enroll in Aesthetics of Design. As a mechanical engineering student, there are many opportunities at school to develop my “make something from nothing” skills. But due to functionality and time constraints, aesthetics are usually the last thing anyone is thinking about. This class drew me in because I wanted to…
Aesthetics Of Design Portfolio: Max Van Cleave
“The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” is an oil painting by Rembrandt in the year 1633. When I first saw it, I couldn’t help but stare. It was incredible the way the light bounced off the sea and into the sky and the way the ship helps lead the eye to the light. Now…
Jacob Krajnik’s Portfolio: Upcycle and Final Project
This past semester in Aesthetics of Design has been a deeply rewarding journey of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on building. Through both the Upcycle and Main Project, I had the chance to combine my personal values, like sustainability, utility, and craftsmanship, with practical design work that reflects who I am and how I approach design challenges.…
Aesthetics of Design 2025 Portfolio
Throughout this semester and class I’ve reflected on various aesthetics including my own personal aesthetics’ as well as developed my own creative and manufacturing skills. It started with my upcycling project. For this project I chose a granola aesthetic and upcycled empty soda cans into small succulent planters. You can read more about it in…
FINAL PORTFOLIO – BEN HARMING
Upcycle Project: For my upcycling project, I designed and built a Western saloon-style cabinet dartboard using a reclaimed cabinet from Resource Central and a mix of thrifted materials. The idea stemmed from wanting something useful and entertaining for my house, and the aesthetic direction clicked after thinking about Western bars with pool tables and dartboards.…
Portfolio: Zoe Cooper
In this course, I accomplished many things. I love making projects and working under certain challenges or restrictions, so it was fun to see what I could come up with given the project requirements. While I enjoyed the challenges, I also appreciated the freedom to make essentially anything I wanted. I like to think of…
Post 13: Portfolio
Over the last 4 months I have been working on combining my engineering skills with certain aesthetics. This is a critical skill because not only do I want my designs to be functional, but I also want all my designs to be visually appealing. Throughout the semester I worked on how I can design products…
Portfolio
Aesthetics in Design This course strays away from what is typically taught in engineering courses- that function is above all else in a product. Aesthetics in Design challenges ideas surrounding function vs. form, and pushses students to prioritize form, to consider the aesthetics of a design, and to truly put thought into what they want…
Material & Motion: A Semester of Aesthetic Exploration
This semester has been a transformative experience in exploring physical design and computational aesthetics. Through both my Upcycle project and Main project, I’ve pushed beyond my comfort zone to develop works that engage viewers through form, movement, and interaction. My Upcycle project began with a Mid-Century Modern vision but evolved into a Brutalist sculpture when…
Opposites Alike – The Two Outcomes of Opposite Aesthetics
The Aesthetics and Design class embodies much of my current major, Environmental Design, but gives everyone a further sense of freedom than we typically have. With this in mind, my goal was to always fully encompass the aesthetics of my choosing and challenge myself in my skills, conceptually and physically. Given what felt like endless…
Arjun Ramachandran- Post 13 Portfolio
Background I had a lot of fun taking Aesthetics of Design this semester. In the past, a lot of my projects have been purely function based with little in the way of designing to conform to an aesthetic. I have always been passionate about fine art and analog creation(minimal electronic intervention aka good old fashioned…
Final Portfolio: Spoon and Pressure Flaker
This semester in aesthetics in design taught me a lot. Most importantly, I learned that there is a necessary balance between function and aesthetics. No one wants an ugly tool, but no one wants a beautiful tool that barely works. Both of my projects encapsulated this lesson, especially my pressure…
Portfolio
Overall, I really enjoyed this class and everything it taught me. There are so many aesthetics and each one is very unique. This class gave me an opportunity to explore many of them through my own research, the class, or other classmates posts. I have also been able to explore my own aesthetic and its…
Aesthetics of Design Portfolio – Anthony Papaianache
Overall, I had a great experience in aesthetics of design and am grateful for the new perspectives it allowed me to take on design. Before this class, I was both unaware and not very caring towards how aesthetics play a role in design. I am happy I entirely changed my perspective and learned about…
Aesthetics in Design Project Portfolio
Portfolio Blog: Creative Engineering Projects Welcome to my project portfolio! This post showcases a selection of my work focused on our upcycle project and main project – showcasing sustainable design and aesthetic engineering. From upcycling 3D printer waste into functional art to designing a custom LED sign inspired by neon and pop art, each project…
Design Portfolio – Abby Rindfuss
My Design Aesthetic and Design Interests Over the course of this semester, I had the opportunity to explore my personal design style through multiple mediums. One of my main inspirations is Scandinavian interior design, particularly the combination of natural, colorful, and practical elements. My first mini project for this class was a design exploration and…
Portfolio: Ayesha Rawal
This class has been a freeing space where I feel like I can create without constraints. I have truly loved being able to explore creative whims in the context of a class, and I am proud of the two main projects I put out. I began this class by interacting with the concepts of childhood…
Aesthetics of Design Portfolio: Nile Brown
Title: From Disqualification to Design: My Aesthetics of Design Journey I. Introduction In my sophomore year of college, I was disqualified from a taekwondo tournament. It was unfortunate—but over time, the moment transformed into something stranger and more useful: creative fuel. That energy became the spark behind both of my projects this semester in Aesthetics…
Aesthetics of Design Portfolio – Bryan Moreno
During this past semester in Aesthetics of Design, I have been able to bring to life ideas I had little time to work on otherwise. From two of my hobbies, I created projects that allowed me to learn a few more skills throughout the process. Upcycle Project: Opulent Pokémon TCG Box: The first project for…
Eli Skelly’s Portfolio – AesDes Spring ’25
My time in Aesthetics in Design Like much of my graduate education, you got out what you put into this class, and that brand of open-ended creativity catalyzed my growth as an artist and maker. As an ATLAS student dabbling in engineering courses on my way to earning a certificate in Mechanical Design and Product…
Semester Wrap-Up
This semester in aesthetics and design has been a journey of exploration, creativity, and growth, and I’m excited to share the projects that shaped my experience. Throughout the class, I worked on two major pieces: the Hexagonal Bookshelf and the Echoes of Reclamation upcycle project, which challenged me in different ways but ultimately helped me…
Clemens Pacher Portfolio
This semester in Aesthetics of Design gave me a hands-on look at how visual principles and physical design can come together to create something meaningful. Through building two different projects, a reclaimed magnetic knife block and a vertical PC dock, I explored the balance between precision and imperfection, and how design choices influence both form…
Alexander (Xander) Johnson – Portfolio
This semester in Aesthetics of Design has taught me a lot and changed my thinking about how I design. It caused me to think more about the aesthetic of something versus just focusing on the functionality that usually would do. There is a lot more to aesthetics and design than what I thought, especially with…
Seth Dry – Portfolio
Welcome to my Portfolio! I am Seth Dry, a mechanical design engineer and student in the spring of 2025 section of aesthetics of design. Below are the links to see my two main projects for the class: Upcycle Project: Flatiron Sunrise Final Project: Art Nouveau Mobile
Portfolio: Cecelia Shoenfeld
Cecelia Shoenfeld: Final Portfolio This semester in Aesthetics of Design has been a fun and educational journey. It challenged my technical abilities, expanded my creative thinking, and deepened my appreciation for the intentionality behind aesthetic design. With two major projects under my belt, a stained glass window display inspired by naturalism and a custom-built modern…
Portfolio
Through this course I created two projects with varying aesthetics but similar creation processes, where I was able to use resources I had, develop my skills, and come up with two final products which I now have for forever. I came into this class wanting an outlet to flex some of my creative and artistic…
Portfolio: Garrison Nazare
Throughout this class, I learned a lot about the intricacies that make designs enjoyable and categorize their aesthetics. I took the initiative in this class because it gave me creativity and freedom while choosing what to work on and what projects to pursue. Figure 1: Base of Lamp in SolidWorks Figure 2: Lebron James Lamp…
Andrew Widner Portfolio
Aesthetics of Design has helped me learn a great deal about my own aesthetic and aesthetics in general. Throughout this course, I’ve been able to explore fabrication concepts that I use every day, and do a sort of self-critique on my environmental impact as I use them. Additionally, I learned that I am capable of…
Post 13: Aesthetics of Design Portfolio
Project 1: Chocolate Packaging – Finca Don JorgeView Full Project Post My main project centered around designing chocolate packaging for Finca Don Jorge, a vertically integrated cacao plantation in Chiapas, Mexico. Inspired by my internship at the finca, where I witnessed the full cacao-to-chocolate process, I aimed to create packaging that honored the story of…
Post 13: Portfolio – Spring 2025
Welcome to My Aesthetics of Design Portfolio This post serves as the landing page for all the work I completed during Spring 2025 in the Aesthetics of Design course at CU Boulder. More than just a class, this experience was a journey in learning how to design with meaning—how to bring together form, material, story,…
Personal Aesthetics in Engineering
This class has been one of the more creative ones I’ve taken during my time in mechanical engineering. It gave me the space to explore aesthetics in a way I’ve never really thought about before. I got to make things that actually had meaning to me and that I would be proud to show other…
Portfolio
My semester in Aesthetics in design gave me the opportunity to work with my hands, and give real thought to the aesthetics of my designs. I was able to identify my personal aesthetic, work on projects with two very different aesthetics, and learn about multiple other schools of design along the way. The class’s structure…
Aesthetics of Design Portfolio – Grant Thompson
I had a great experience taking aesthetics of design, as I felt it made me work a different part of my brain than previous classes had. For this class, we completed two separate projects, with the focus being on the aesthetic of said projects. Over the course of this class I learned how think past…
Aesthetics in Design 2025 Portfolio
2025 CU Boulder Aesthetics in Design Experience: Summary: This semester of Aesthetics of Design through the University of Colorado Boulder has been a unique opportunity to place creativity and aesthetics at the forefront of my efforts and attention. As an engineer prone to placing function over form and letting logic and utility take precedent over…
Max Williams – Design Portfolio
Hi there! During the Spring 2025 semester of my senior year at CU Boulder I ran a blog as a part of my Aesthetics of Design course. Throughout the semester I talked about a few different things related to design and in particular the choices and intentions behind them, however, my main focus with this…
Hidden Compartment – Portfolio
My project vision was to create a fantasy-inspired hidden compartment, something subtle enough to blend into a home setting. Influenced by my lifelong love of stories like The Lord of the Rings, Dune, and The Last of Us, I wanted the artifact to reflect the theme of something magical hidden in plain sight. I imagined…
Portfolio
This semester in Aesthetics in Design has been a fascinating exploration of combining functionality, artistic intent, and aesthetic theory. Through my two major projects, the Upcycle Project and the Main Project, I developed both my design thinking and technical skills while challenging myself to work outside my normal creative comfort zone. Upcycle Project: Shou Sugi…
Chrisanna Bertuccio Portfolio
Hello all, My name is Chrisanna Bertuccio and I am a masters student in Biomedical Engineering also pursuing the Mechanical Design and Product Development graduate certificate from the Mechanical Engineering Department. During this course, I had the pleasure of creating two projects that pushed me out of my comfort zone and required me to learn…
Aesthetics in Design Portfolio
When exploring the CU course search engine looking for technical electives I could take this semester, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon MCEN 4279 (Aesthetics in Design). Thinking it would be like any other projects class, I was excited to get my hands dirty working on some fun projects. This class did that and…
Aesthetics of Design Portfolio – Evan McCleary
Over the course of the semester, I have pushed myself to both learn new skills and revisit old ones. This class has been the first engineering course I’ve taken where grades are based on the appearance of my project, rather than its functionality, which has been a refreshing change of pace in my final semester…
Claire Markus – Aesthetics in EE
Throughout this semester I’ve had the opportunity to hone my ability to design beautiful systems. Too often as engineers we think only of function, in this course I was challenged to consider form, and to create working systems complying with a variety of artistic movements. I began my journey through design by exploring the Mediterranean…
Portfolio
Project 1: Genshin Impact Floral Artifact Earrings Link for the Blog Inspired by the fantasy aesthetic of Genshin Impact, I designed and crafted a floral artifact earring that transforms in-game visuals into a tangible, wearable art piece. Using polymer clay, acrylic paint, and UV resin, I sculpted a delicate flower motif that captures the ornate…
Final Portfolio: Anthony Makuch
Over the course of this class, I had the opportunity to engage with design from both a conceptual and hands-on perspective. I learned how to communicate through aesthetics, adapt creatively under constraints, and translate technical goals into expressive outcomes. My two major projects this semester, the Upcycle Project and the Main Project, each reflect different…
Portfolio: Pisay Suzuki Aesthetics of Design has helped me develop a better understanding of how aesthetics became a part of society. What fascinated me the most was the amount of history that drives the connection between aesthetics and engineering. I believe that history is something to be remembered and a crucial piece that isn’t spoken…
Portfolio: Annie
I signed up for this class because most of—if not all of—my other classes this semester were more STEM focused classes. I found this class by chance and decided to try it so that I could have more creativity in my schedule. I’ve very happy with my decision then because I’ve gained a lot of…
Portfolio: Cooper Kramis
This semester, I dove into two design-build projects, where I focused on the bedframe of a shuttle bus I have been recently building out. These projects pushed my creativity and ultimately transformed my shuttle bus into a living space I can be proud of. What started as a simple upcycling effort evolved into a dynamic,…
Nita Byati Portfolio
Throughout this semester in, I’ve experienced both triumphs and setbacks that have shaped my growth as a creative student. Personal challenges repeatedly tested my commitment, but I’m proud of my resilience in consistently delivering completed work despite these obstacles. My Upcycle project demonstrated my ability to transform existing concepts into something fresh and innovative, while…
Portfolio: Cole Romig
During this semester, I came up with two projects that both serve a function but also attempt to demonstrate an aesthetic. In both of my projects, I aim for a rustic aesthetic as I really enjoy working with wood with its colors and grain patterns. The first project I worked on was a rustic sports…
Aesthetics Of Design Portfolio: Daniel Carranza Valenzuela
My experience when it came to taking this Aesthetics of design class has been a wild but satisfying journey, and yet I know that I can still make some improvements. At the start of the class, we knew that we had to make two projects, one being an upcycle project and the other being the…
Portfolio
Here are the two projects I’ve worked on all semester: Industrial Toolbelt: Modular Storm Skirt: Reflection: This semester in class has been a journey of growth and discovery. One of the highlights was learning how to sew, a skill I had never explored before. This hands-on experience added a new layer of creativity and practicality…
Semester Portfolio
This semester has pushed me to become more resourceful, more creative, and more comfortable with ambiguity than any other design class I’ve taken so far. Between the upcycle project and my final nature inspired river environment build, I’ve learned how to let materials and constraints shape the design process, rather than forcing everything to follow…
Portfolio: Kyle Chinn
Projects Overview Upcycle Project My Upcycle Project was to create terrariums out of discarded old kitchen glassware. I was going for a modern Bohemian vibe, where it took the floral, warm, and cozy notes of the Bohemian vibe and mixed it with the clean, smooth lines of modernism. I took a coffee craft and a…
Post 13: Portfolio
Throughout the course of this class, I have gotten the opportunity to fuse my engineering knowledge and skills with the thoughtful design of the many aesthetics that we have learned in this class. I have learned quite a bit about the different kinds of aesthetics out in the world, how they have impacted art and…
Jack Franz – Portfolio
End-of-Year Wrap-Up: As the year comes to a close, I’ve had some time to look back at the two main projects I tackled in this class—the Cozy Cabin Perk-a-Cola Display and my Upcycled Golf Club Headcover. On the surface, they’re completely different. One is a tech-heavy interactive display based on a video game, and the…
Portfolio: Witt Young
Reflection Taking Aesthetics in Design has completely changed the way I think about form, function, and creative intention. Going into the class, I mostly thought of design as a process of solving problems or making useful things. But over the course of the semester, I’ve learned that aesthetics are just as essential as utility—and that…
Aesthetics Portfolio: Alex Jessop
Aesthetics in Design taught me about sketching, art aesthetics throughout history, and gave me the opportunity to make art myself. The class was broken into two main projects: the first being the Upcycle Project, where recycled materials are used to make an art piece, and the second being the Main Project, where the project scope…
Portfolio: Cort Sommer
This semester of Aesthetics of Design has taught me a lot about to undergo larger projects. During my time exploring different aesthetics and ways of fabrication, I reinforced key ideas like time management, hands on crafting, and revitalizing creativity in my work. I completed 2 large projects this semester, an Upcycle project and Final Dynamic Project,…
Portfolio – Christopher Adami-Sampson
This semester has been filled with new experiences, new skills, and a lot of effort. From the start I knew I wanted my projects to involve wood, I didn’t fully know exactly what I wanted to create going in, especially for the Main Project but I knew I wanted to take full use of the…
Portfolio Landing: A Semester of Making with Meaning
As this class comes to a close, I’m taking a moment to reflect on what this semester has meant to me, not just as a student, but as a designer, builder, and storyteller. This course challenged me to think about aesthetics not as decoration, but as a deliberate choice: a tool for communicating emotion, narrative,…
My Time in Aesthetics
This class has an incredibly unique structure. As a student you are given full creative freedom to construct whatever you can imagine without being group based. For the first time in my academic career at CU Boulder, I did not have to fight with other teammates on conflicting opinions or the direction of a project.…
Ben Erickson
This semester in Aesthetics in Design, I learned a lot about designing something with only its appearance in mind, and created two very unique projects. All posts created over the course of the semester are linked here, and I urge you to look further into them for more details on each of these projects. Cyberpunk…
Aesthetics in Design Portfolio Summary
This semester, I completed two major projects in Aesthetics in Design: an upcycle project focused on converting glass bottles into functional household items, and a final design project centered on building a portable, rugged camp table. Both projects emphasized practical problem-solving and material-focused aesthetics, and both pushed me to explore different aspects of the design…
Portfolio
This semester in Aesthetics of Design has been a rewarding and challenging experience, one that allowed me to explore creative design through hands-on projects while developing a deeper appreciation for aesthetics and personal storytelling. Through both my Upcycle project and my main project, I learned how to adapt when things don’t go according to plan…
Post 13: Qualls Portfolio
This class was a great exercise in aesthetic explorations and creativity. I love how all of our projects were open to us for interpretation , and I found so much value in creating for myself. Both projects in this class were made to be gifts, and I couldn’t have found a more worthwhile experience! For…
Portfolio Blog
This course has been one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my college career. From the moment we started, the emphasis on aesthetics in engineering design challenged me to think beyond function and into the emotional and visual impact of my work. This final blog post serves as a portfolio landing page for the…
Post 13: Brian Ahn Portfolio
Upcycle Project: https://www.aesdes.org/2025/02/19/naturalist-hangboard-2/ Final Project: https://www.aesdes.org/2025/04/30/final-project-part-2-bamboo-lamp-creation/ This semester I had the opprotunity to create projects that both improved my ability to apply aesthetics to designs and create functional products that I use regularly. In both of my projects I used wood as the main material since it fit my “naturalist” aesthetic and was the…
Mix of Function and Art: James Portfolio
This portfolio showcases the two major projects I completed during the Spring 2025 semester in Aesthetics of Design: an upcycling-based artwork and a fully functional magnetic shoe display. These projects reflect my evolving ability to merge design, material craftsmanship, and technical problem-solving. Along the way, I explored new tools and techniques—from wood carving to wall…
Aesthetic of Design Portfolio: Jessica Vo
This semester in Aesthetics in Design, I faced a lot of challenges and successes. Through inspiration from different aesthetics, I was able to creatively make my own projects with the aesthetics of my choice. I learned to be functional in my designs while also making things look pleasing to the eye. I faced challenges with…
Abby Rindfuss
Adam Hosburgh
Airyl Dayrit
Alex Jessop
Xander Johnson
Allister James Sequeira
Annie Cai
Andrew Chamberlain
Anjali Shadija
Anthony Makuch
Andrea Marks
Anthony Papaianache
Andrew Perper
Andrew Widner
Ariana Ramirez
Arjun Ramachandran
Arden Villanueva
Ayesha Rawal
Ben Erickson
Ben Harming
Ben Haley
Brian Ahn
Bryce Johnson
Bryan Moreno Najera
Brenton Yu
Cason Lane
Cecelia Shoenfeld
Chris Adami-Sampson
Chrisanna Bertuccio
Witt Young
Claire Markus
Clemens Pacher-Theinburg
Cooper Kramis
Cole Romig
Cole Sites
Cort Sommer
Daniel Carranza Valenzuela
DawnMonique Cantu
Seth Strayer
Danny Vesselovskii
David Whisnant
Delos Ashcraft
Dev Mahajan
Ellyse Jensen
Elise Johnson
Eli Skelly
Eric Fiechtner
Evan McCleary
Francine Palmos
Garrett Jimenez
Garrison Nazare
Rauba, Grady
Reilly, Greg
Grant Thompson
Isaiah Straubel
Jamie Blanco
Jacob Foley
Jack Franz
Jacob Krajnik
James Overberg
Jaks Praeger
Jax Whitham
Jessica Vo
Joe Yoder
Jules Fischer-White
Kalin Myers
Keith Hemenway
Kyle Chinn
Lia Cucuzzella
Lindsey Trussell
Luke Gordon
Matt Bloomfield
Matthew Cumpton
Mateo Esteve
Matt Sherman
Max Van Cleave
Max Williams
Mila Bergmann-Ruzicka
Min Than
Mia Winstead
Nile Brown
Nita Byati
Nick Rios
Pisay Suzuki
Robert Forstbauer
Rystan Qualls
Sam Nicastro
Scott Ehrlich
Seth Dry
Sean Ostrander
Senayt Wolde
Shreya Pradeep Sekar
Sofia Fernandez
Sylvia Robles
Tay Cummins
Tanmay Mhatre
Taylor Wittwer
Thomas Brentano
Tyler L'hotta
Tyler Lloyd
Zoe Cooper
Sammie Duran
Jean Hertzberg
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