Liquor Bottle Glasses and Vases
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Inspiration and Aesthetic Vision The goal of this project was to upcycle glass liquor bottles into functional drinking glasses and decorative vases while embracing an Industrial Vintage aesthetic. This aesthetic is characterized by raw materials, rugged texture s, and a utilitarian approach that values repurposing and history. Industrial Vintage design often incorporates aged metal, exposed…
Futuristic Beer Bottle: Complete Project Overview
Introduction The upcycle project for this class has been an exciting and challenging task, requiring resourcefulness, creativity, and hands-on fabrication. The goal was to transform discarded materials into something functional and aesthetically compelling, demonstrating the potential of upcycling as a sustainable design approach. After collecting materials, and experimenting with different configurations, I have finally created…
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…
Upcycle Design Report
I originally wanted to make something for my apartment, for example, a decoration or some piece of furniture. I am a hockey player and have several extra sticks around the apartment. This got me thinking I could reuse them and make a plant holder or nightstand. I ended up going with my second option of…
Cardboard Fantasy Helmet
For my upcycle project I took inspiration this leather helmet I found last December at an art market. Figure 1: Leather fantasy style helmet that is the source of my inspiration for this project. The aesthetic is “Medieval Fantasy” along the lines of Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, or the countless other properties…
Assassin’s Teapot: Decopunk Fluid Parsing Device
My upcycled project was an assassin’s teapot: a device that could hold two separate liquids then distribute, one, the other, neither, or both upon the user’s discretion. The final product is shown below. Figure 1: Final product of the assassin’s teapot. My motivation for the assassin’s teapot was, suspiciously enough, cooking. I found that various…
Old English Golfclub Headcover – product design
Let’s start from the beginning, for this project I was inspired by my passion for golf, and pity for any golfclub that has to sit out in the cold enduring god knows what on the golf course. Not only did I have something in mind and how to design it, but with this being an…
Upcycled Rustic Ski Rack
My upcycling project is centered around the “Modern Rustic Charm” aesthetic, which is characterized by the combination of rustic materials and warm tones with the addition of some modern design elements. I view modern rustic charm as a more cozy, simplistic version of the farmhouse aesthetic, as it focuses more on the rustic materials and…
Nightclub Decorative Light
The upcycling project that I constructed was a decorative light made out of plastic disposable water bottles and different colored lights to follow the club or rave aesthetic. The club aesthetic that will be achieved through this project makes people feel high energy and party vibes through its’ bold contrasts, different colors of lights, and…
Upcycle Design Report: Looney Tunes Diorama
Looney Tunes Diorama I’ve always admired the aesthetic of the backgrounds that take up a lot of the space of Looney Tunes cartoons. There actually used to be an Instagram account dedicated to showcasing these backgrounds, but I believe it got taken down due to copyright issues. This takedown was probably justified, but it still…
Modern Bohemian Planter
Repurposing waste into functional and aesthetically pleasing objects has always intrigued me. For my upcycle project, I decided to transform discarded glass items into stylish planters and terrariums for small plants such as succulents. I sought inspiration from the modern bohemian aesthetic, blending clean lines, natural elements, and contemporary materials to create a unique piece…
A Mid-Century Modern Pallet Lamp
Initial Sketch The impetus for my project was a small drawing I made in my sketchbook of what I thought a mid-century modern lamp would look like. It consisted of two sets of slats that would interlock to create a barrel-like shape. The spaces in-between the slats would allow light to spill out while creating…
Hidden book compartment espresso box
Idea generation and final inspiration Initially, I struggled with ideas due to the vast number of possibilities. I was drawn to brutalist art and first designed a brutalist-style coffee coaster resembling a two-story structure. The top half mimicked a brutalist prison room, while the bottom half held the coffee cup, using heat as part of…
Soda Can Tab Guitar Strap
For my upcycle project, my goal was to create a guitar strap out of soda can tabs that adheres to the punk aesthetic. I wanted the finished product to be flashy and robust enough to actually use on a regular basis. I had never attempted a “crafty” project like this before, so this served as…
From Snowboard to Coat Rack: Ski Town Aesthetic
Somewhere, I once read that art is about finding that feeling, concept, or thought that the whole world subconsciously relates to—and being the first to transform it into words, paper, or canvas. That feeling is exactly what ran through my head the first time I visited a ski town back in 2013. There was something…
Aluminum Camping Spoon
As we wrap up this first project, I am excited to share my spoon’s “final” form and everything that went into making it. I beleive the aesthetic turned out exactly as I planned. The aesthetic I went for is of light, aluminum outdoors gear. For example, my aluminum spoon would work well with this carabiner…
An Homage to Stuffed Animals: Childhood Stuffed Animal Recreations
In this upcycling project, I aimed to explore the aesthetic of nostalgia and the concept of comfort through nostalgia. This idea came to me back in the pandemic when there was a huge resurgence in childhood favorites, like Avatar the Last Airbender, Pokemon, and more. In the pandemic I found myself rereading the books I…
From Sleeping Bag to Ski Jacket: Crafting Scandinavian Minimalism
Scandinavian Minimalism Clothing Scandinavian minimalist clothing is defined by its practicality, comfort, and high-quality craftsmanship. Given Scandinavia’s harsh winters, where many cities experience average temperatures below freezing, functional and protective clothing is essential [1]. This style prioritizes utility while maintaining a clean, understated aesthetic, often featuring monochrome earth tones and minimal branding. The primary inspiration…
Exploded View PC: A Deconstructed Aesthetic
Project Overview For my upcycle project, I created an exploded view display using old PC components that I recently replaced. Rather than discarding my outdated hardware, I turned it into an aesthetic and educational piece of wall art. This project gave a second life to my GTX 1060 graphics card, Ryzen 5 2600X processor, DDR4…
Upcycled Cactus Planter
In an age where sustainability and environmental responsibility are becoming well known and highly practiced, I believe my upcycling project is both a personal project and a global statement. My idea was born from a desire to bring a touch of nature into my dark basement which a space that rarely sees natural light while…
Flatiron Sunrise: Upcycled Pointillism
For my upcycle project, I created the piece Flatiron Sunrise, shown in the featured image. This piece is of the pointillist aesthetic, created using many dots of color punched from upcycled materials. Pointillist Aesthetic Pointillism is a “painting technique in which small distinct points of unmixed color are applied in patterns to form an image”…
Coral Fruit Bowl – Design Report
For my upcycling project I chose to design a decorative fruit bowl, made from recycled cardboard. The aesthetic I was going for was something in the realm of Memphis design, an aesthetic defined by its bold colors, clashing patterns, and abstract shapes. I wanted a bowl that also felt organic, using blobby shapes and natural…
Cyberpunk Stereoscope
Concept My upcycling design project was to create a cyberpunk stereoscope. For some background: stereograms were popular in the United States and Europe from the 1850s to 1920s [1]; They were two images arranged side-by-side to provide a different perspective for each eye and create the illusion of three dimensional depth. For example, here is…
Patchwork teddy bear
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vRqmL_lUgWkXZo5ukly1fDZ4hwADFw5gIT6s7Jny0GdALZHiiT47StyXQUAyxW28fz92Rb0sha0LoH0/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000 First, I want to discuss the aesthetic I chose for my upcycle project. I decided on a Patchwork and Folkart aesthetic, but it turned out to be more of a Patchwork or maximalist Aesthetic with Japanese Sashiko designs incorporated into the bear. The patchwork aesthetic can be dated back to ancient times, with Hidepark’s…
License Plate Frame
For the past few weeks I’ve been working on a new way to display eight license plate frames in my room. The license plates that I was trying to incorporate came from three different states, Colorado, California, and Arizona, and while the California plate is rather neutral in its design the other two have unique…
The Red Tree
Figure 1. Random Red Application Introduction The Red Tree Sculpture is proof that up-cycling and digital fabrication can work wonders. This project takes scrap wood, once discarded and forgotten and transforms it into a beautiful, eye-catching art piece that’s both creative and eco-friendly. Inspired by the Unexpected Red Theory, a design idea that highlights red…
A Vintage Bicycle Stool
My aesthetic for this project centers around the ‘bicycle boom’ of the 20th century that lasted from the 1970s to the mid-1980s. Because of this popularity, many vintage bikes were created and sold in mass. These bikes were simply 1-speed cruisers, which had flashy bright colors and paint designs that mirrored many of the flashy…
Rustic Wood Cutting Board
Introduction For my upcycle project, I decided to take a piece of scrap wood I found in a dumpster on campus and transform it into a functional and aesthetic cutting board. This project is an opportunity to experiment with my woodworking skills, while simultaneously creating a useful and unique piece for the kitchen. I wanted…
Japanese Stationery Aesthetic: Watchmaker’s Screwdriver Stand
Introduction For my upcycling project, I chose to design and fabricate a watchmaker’s screwdriver stand inspired by the Japanese stationery aesthetic. Vintage watch repair is a hobby of mine, and this project is something I have wanted to tackle for a while. My workstation is often cluttered with scattered tools, so this stand will help…
‘The Mhona’ Tote
‘The Mhona’ Tote is dedicated to my mom, who influenced my love for bags. I’ve always enjoyed collecting bags, believing they are essential accessories that complement outfits while serving a practical purpose: carrying necessities. For my upcycle project, I decided to challenge myself by creating a bag. I chose to make a tote bag because…
Shou Sugi Ban Wall Art
When trying to decide what to make for an upcycle design project I first thought about what I could use as a material for my work and found that I had 13 wooden bed slats that I was no longer using. Knowing that I had plenty of material for something of medium to large size,…
Upcycle Project – Aluminum Can Old Western Cowboy
In trying to find what to do for my project I took to looking around my house. What really caught my eye originally was this metal snowman statue/candle holder I own as a winter decoration. It is made of sheet metal and wires and is a fun decoration that I can have during the coldest…
Naturalist Hangboard
For my upcycle project I created an upcycled climbing hangboard from scrap wood and a second hand rope sling. This project was created to fulfil two purposes. The first was my personal need for a portable training device that could also be used to warmup while climbing outside. The second was to aknowledge the opprotunities…
Japanese Architecture Inspired 3D Printed Art
For my upcycling project, I wanted to create an art piece using FDM 3D printing. I have my own printer and wanted to use it more to create interesting art pieces, and this project is a great excuse to do more of this. My concept for this project was to design, print, and paint a…
Patchwork Industrial Denim Toolbelt
Overview and aesthetic For my upcycle project, I wanted to turn an old piece of clothing into something functional and useful. I chose to upcycle an old pair of jeans into a denim toolbelt, originally following the aesthetic of reworked industrial. After working on my project and receiving valuable input during critique, I realized that…
Rustic Sports Ball Shelf
Here it is, the rustic aesthetic sports ball shelf! This shelf can hold and feature multiple shapes and sizes of balls to organize and highlight natural grain patterns and beauty of wood. Final Rustic Sports Ball Shelf My initial inspiration for this upcycled ball shelf came from constantly having sports balls lying around my house…
Cybernetic Scorpion: An Upcycled Circuit Sculpture
Introduction The Cybernetic Scorpion is a sculptural upcycle project that fuses elements of Artificial Nature with discarded electronic components to create a biomechanical creature. This project reimagines e-waste as a living entity, blurring the line between technology and organic life. Using fried PCBs, resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, I constructed a scorpion sculpture that reflects…
Upcycle Design Report: A Witch’s Cabin
As my upcycling project, I created a diorama of a witch’s cabin (or a corner of one). Inspiration, Aesthetics, & Design The aesthetic and concept of this project were roughly decided around the same time. While looking for a topic for the aesthetic exploration post, I had decided to use that aesthetic for my upcycling…
Retromod Power Fender Mirrors
My project is a set of powered vehicle fender mirrors, designed with inspiration from the sleek, classic aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s. These decades were known for their distinct automotive styling, where form and function blended seamlessly into striking designs. I want to capture that same essence while integrating modern functionality through powered adjustability.…
Pop Art with 3D Print Scraps
For my upcycle project, I originally sought to use 3D printed scraps to create a pixel art image within a wooden frame. My initial vision was to take discarded 3D prints, shred them into small, uniform pieces, and arrange them into a pixelated design. However, as I started working on this concept, I quickly realized…
Mediterranean Weather Tile
Vision My goal for this product was to create a a tech product that isn’t focused on sleek, hyper-modern design: an intuitive weather monitor that represents the Mediterranean revisal aesthetic. Credit: Inkbird 8-in-1 Indoor Hygrometer Thermometer What Is The Product While I don’t think that tech products such as the weather monitor above are ugly…
Post 5: Upcycle Design Report
Introduction: For my upcycle project, I chose to create a cabinet dartboard with an old Western aesthetic. Specifically, I wanted the project to be based around an old-Western saloon. I decided on this project after being interrupted by one of my roommates while brainstorming ideas. I remembered I had an unopened dartboard at my parents’…
Soda Can Succulent Planter
For my upcycle project I have decided to try and repurpose waste produced by many people every day including me, empty cans. I plan to take empty soda, tea and beer cans and repurpose them into planters for small plants such as succulents or cacti. The granola or earth core aesthetic will be the guiding…
Vintage Boho Candle Set
For my upcycling project, I wanted to create something functional, aesthetically pleasing, and sustainable using old food jars and glasses. After considering different options, I decided to make candles, as I was in need of some but found store-bought ones too expensive. My aesthetic for this project was Boho Vintage—a warm, timeless, and free-spirited style…
Beauty in Death: Strangler Fig Lampshade
[2] Floral Skull Graphic [3] Goblincore Example I define the beauty in death aesthetic as an appreciation and admiration of things…
Upcycle Project – Indie Camera Filter
In prior weeks, I have explained about how I was going to make a model inside of a box with an indie filter as one of the walls. (Figure 1): A project that is very much not what I talked about in the past few weeks. So what is this? What you see now is…
Space Age Lamp Design Report
Space Age Lamp I have chosen to create a lamp in the space age aesthetic. Aesthetically, I am inspired by the furniture, lighting and clothing made by space age designers during the second half of the 20th century. Some notable pieces include the VP Globe pendant light by Verner Panton and the iconic Ball Chair…
Chalk Bag in Earthy Neutrals Aesthetic
Background For my upcycle project, I chose to make a chalk bag for climbing out of upcycled fabric in the earthy neutrals aesthetic. I’ve had some leftover fabric from curtains that I hemmed for about a year now, and I knew I wanted to upcycle it for this project. When I began to think of…
Minimalist Woodworking Wall Mount for Native American Flute
I have finished work on my Minimalist Woodworking Flute Mount, this has been a really enjoyable project to work on this semester. It allowed me to spend a decent amount of time in the Idea Forge Makerspace which was a first for me. First I would like to thank Josh Coyler in the Makerspace for…
Upcycle Project – The Great Wave Mosaic
My inspiration started with the first blog post of this class when we researched an aesthetic. The aesthetic I chose to research was Japanese wood blocking as I ran into a discounted book at the Boulder Bookstore. I didn’t know that these pictures that I had seen in Japan, when I once lived there, came…
Rustic Desk Organizer: Upcycling for a Sustainable Workspace
Introduction For my Upcycling Project, I set out to create a Rustic Desk Organizer, embracing sustainability by repurposing tin cans, reclaimed wood, and twine to craft a functional yet aesthetically appealing workspace organizer. The goal was to reduce waste while creating something practical, eco-friendly, and visually unique. Instead of purchasing a mass-produced plastic organizer, I…
The Pink Embroidered Tote
For my Upcycle project, I originally planned to embroider a pink corduroy jacket, but after realizing the material wasn’t ideal, I switched to a tote bag. My goal was to create something that fit the cute and pink aesthetic, inspired by Kawaii culture. This aesthetic is soft, playful, and nostalgic, filled with pastel colors, rounded…
Plaster Textured Ski Art
Aesthetic I used wall plaster for my upcycling project to create an interactive and visually engaging art piece. The aesthetic I aimed for was a combination of modern, minimalist, and dynamic elements. By sculpting the plaster, I could mimic the natural flow of ski tracks on untouched snow, creating an illusion of movement that adds…
Rustic Hand Carved Chess Piece
For my upcycle project, I created a hand carved wooden chess piece, using only a small stick, and a pocket knife. This was an incredibly enjoyable project, and one that I am very glad I undertook. My project did not however start out as this, with my original intention being to create a full rustic…
Echoes of Reclamation
Inspiration and Vision My Upcycle project, titled Echoes of Reclamation, is deeply rooted in the “earth core” and “solar-punk” aesthetics, which celebrate the intersection of human innovation and the natural world. These movements emphasize sustainability, resilience, and the idea that nature can reclaim and transform human-made objects over time. The concept of creating something beautiful and…
Plastic Forest
The vision of this project was to create an art piece that used the former functionality of 3D printing tree supports as a way to get the user to reflect on plastic waste in manufacturing. The project had the goal of collecting exclusively waste 3D printing tree supports that were bound for the trash and…
Naltural/Minimalist Bedframe
Featured Image: Final product of bedframe built custom into my shuttle bus. I recently have been building out an old shuttle bus to convert into a camper van for outdoor recreation. This has been a long dream of mine, and I started work on this bus conversion last May. I have finished most of the…
The Bucket Bag – A Pop Art Exploration
Beginning this process, I tried to understand the scope of the project and divide it into phases. The first, being research regarding aesthetics and materials. This was discussed in my 2nd blog post where I researched my chosen aesthetic, Pop Art, and introduced the recycled materials that I would use, eco fabric swatches. To reiterate,…
Upcycle Project – Coasters from 3D-Printer Waste
Purpose & Inspiration For the upcycle project, I knew I wanted to utilize 3D-printed waste as my main material. 3D printing is a fantastic tool for both functionality and artwork. The library of printable objects is constantly growing, offering innovative ways to create and design tools, knickknacks, and whatever random thing you can think of!…
Broken Glass Light Cover
Inspiration For my upcycling project I decided to follow the aesthetic of Gothic Stained glass. Often seen in cathedrals and churches, these fixtures can be used to fill viewers with any sort of emotion. These stained glass windows are characterized by their use of vibrant colors (usually blues, reds, and greens), and their complex designs.…
Tropical Lamp
The tropical aesthetic aims to bring the relaxing outdoor environment of a typical beach to wherever you want. This aesthetic is inspired heavily by beaches and the naturally occurring themes you would see there. Because of this naturally forming nature, you see a lot of patterns that might occur on a beach with little to…
Upcycle Steampunk Lamp
In class, we were tasked with researching an aesthetic and creating something of interest with said aesthetic, as well as incorporating recycled parts. This is how I approached the project. I love the steampunk aesthetic and decided that this project must represent the steampunk aesthetic. After that was decided, I wanted to find something to…
Water-Bottle Sling: The Light and Dark Sides of Fandom Fashion
For my upcycling project, I created a sling that can be used to carry my gallon water bottle during outings, hikes, or just everyday use. My water bottle was heavy, large, and not the most comfortable to carry by hand for long periods of time. I stopped carrying it around because it was inconvenient at…
Frutiger Aero Iceberg Tissue Box
Project Overview For my Upcycle Project, I designed and built a tissue box that includes elements from the Frutiger Aero aesthetic, along with a lighting feature. For this project, I wanted to attempt to make something stylish and functional for my desk that matches the Frutiger Aero aesthetic. It is one of my favorite aesthetics…
Shrinker/Stretcher Tool Stand Design
Introduction For my Upcycle project, I wanted to design an item that would be used on a frequent basis in my workshop. A recent project of mine has been my race car build which has taken up a significant amount of my free time for design and fabrication of the many components. Many of the…
Nautical Lighthouse
Inspiration and Concept Development The nautical aesthetic is often defined by a combination of weathered textures, deep blues, crisp whites, natural wood, and metal accents, all of which evoke the feeling of being near the sea. From old fishing boats to historic lighthouses, the nautical aesthetic carries a sense of adventure and timeless beauty. I…
Ghibli Jeans Upcycle
For my initial project ideation, I wanted to upcycle a lamp shade and make it into a Studio Ghibli inspired lamp. Studio Ghibli’s aesthetic has natural, earthy, and cozy aspects. I wanted to bring those elements into my design. When beginning my material search, I went to the thrift store and looked how lamp shades with…
Genshin Impact Floral Artifact Earrings
Inspiration Inspired by the vibrant world of Genshin Impact, I crafted a unique floral earring using bake-in clay that embodies the game’s enchanting essence. Each petal reflects the vivid colors and delicate designs found in the lush landscapes of Teyvat. As I molded the clay, I envisioned the characters adorned with similar nature-inspired accessories, celebrating…
Sports Bar Aesthetic Upcycling Project: LeBron James Hennessy Lamp
I based my project on a special edition of LeBron James Hennessy. In my project, I am repurposing the bottle for decoration. The bottle is unique, and I am converting it into a table lamp—the lamp in my living room to provide light for the area. My girlfriend gave me a bottle of Cognac, so…
Aluminum Can Junk Art Upcycling
Upcycling Aluminum Cans: From Junk to Junk Art and Abstract Floral Design The world of upcycling offers a fascinating opportunity to breathe new life into discarded materials, turning them into creative, functional, and beautiful objects. For my latest project, I embarked on a journey of transforming aluminum cans into aesthetic design pieces. Drawing inspiration from…
Opulent Pokemon TCG Deck Box
During my time as a college student, I may have developed a slight addiction to Pokémon cards. Collecting these cards was something I did when I was younger. Coming to college led me to start collecting again. After realizing I have no easy or organized way of storing my Pokémon cards, I decided to pursue…
Collage Cards Design Report
Inspiration For this upcycle project, my inspiration was to combine my love of multi-media art with thoughtful design to conform to a desired aesthetic. I noticed I had a lot of paper scraps, paper bags, magazines, and various art utensils laying around my house that I wanted to put to good use! I also knew…
Photos From the Past, Reimagined
This film slide lampshade was an exciting project. I had been wanting to make it for a while, so this assigned project was the perfect push to get it done. I was inspired by very similar projects like the one pictured below by user heylady on blogspot. I law the rawness of the project since…
Vintage Technology Key Rack – Functional Furniture
Brainstorming When brainstorming ideas for my upcycling project, I wanted to create something that would serve a functional purpose in my daily life. One issue that came to mind was how often I forget my house key whenever I travel between my apartment in Boulder and my home in Aurora. My apartment key, which is…
Four Point Hat – “Ski Bum” Aesthetic
“Ski Bum” is a term that typically evokes a specific image of someone who makes skiing their number one priority, sometimes even over jobs, housing, or financial stability. The classic ski bum is resourceful, finding ways to live cheaply to maximize time on the mountain. Their aesthetic reflects this lifestyle: thrifted, functional, and often homemade…
Rustic Modern Wood Mosaic
For my upcycling project, I created a Rustic Modern wood mosaic wall art piece using leftover firewood that had been sitting outside for years. The Rustic Modern aesthetic embraces the unique balance of comfort and sophistication by combining warm and neutral tones with visually appealing patterns. Inspiration I have always loved woodworking and wanted to…
Brutalist Shoe Cleaner – Upcycle Project Report
After researching and learning a long time and exploring different aesthetics, I was able to learn about and explore a vast variety of aesthetics and be able to label certain styles, ways of life, activities and subcategories within activities, and artifacts under an aesthetic. It was in class and additionally from a classmate’s blog post…
Organic Patchwork Platters
For my upcycle project, I made a set of small platters that embody an organic patchwork aesthetic. In the context of the woodworking world, this aesthetic is often defined by pieces that are slightly askew in character. By leaning into the power of asymmetry and negative space, the organic shapes and characteristics of the wood(s)…
Nature and Modern, a natured design pencil holder made of recycled PLA
My project draws inspiration from a blend of modern and natural aesthetics. It was sparked by Lia’s blog post on balancing nature with modern design. When thinking how I could combine this aesthetics, I asked myself: What can I create that embodies both modern style and natural elements? My initial thought went to the recycled…
Scandanavian lamp
Upcycling My Way Into the Scandinavian Aesthetic (With a Few Struggles Along the Way) I am that person who gets bored way too fast. If my attention span were human, it’d be the friend who shows up to a party, grabs a snack, and then mysteriously disappears 15 minutes later. So when I first started…
Rustic Wooden Knife Holder
For my upcycling project, I set out to create a magnetic wooden knife block that seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern functionality. Drawing inspiration from the “Contemporary Chalet With Rustic Atmosphere” aesthetic by interior designer Bernd Gruber, I aimed to craft a piece that showcases the natural beauty of reclaimed wood while providing a sleek…
Tired Peacock Chair
For my upcycle project I made a chair out of tires in the style of the iconic Peacock Chair. My inspiration process began with a chair that I made for another class, CVEN 5544 – Solid Waste Management and Resource Recovery. I really liked working with rubber on that assignment, and was really impressed that…
Giving new life: The Self-Watering Planter
Concept & Inspiration My wife is a plant enthusiast, and our home is filled with greenery—from small succulents on the windowsills to larger plants in nearly every room. She takes great care in maintaining them, but with so many plants, watering them all consistently can be a challenge. For this upcycling project, I wanted to…
Parisian Jazz Lamp
A tortured artist is someone who expresses their pain through their art. Some great examples are Vincent Van Gogh who mutilated his own ear, Edward Munch with his painting “The Scream”, or Francisco Goya with like half of his artwork. However, I believe that there is a great unknown tortured artist in this world and…
Upcycled Skateboard Jewelry
**Final Photos at the Bottom!** For my upcycling project, I am repurposing old skateboard decks into colorful plywood for making jewelry and possibly a bowl. This project draws inspiration from Bauhaus and De Stijl aesthetics, emphasizing geometric patterns, sharp lines, and bold color contrasts. Material Collection and Prep I collected used skateboard decks, each with…
Vintage Americana Chalk Bag Made From Thrifted Levi’s
Inspiration After my mom got me a sewing machine in 2018, I have been making various items such as skirts, pants, and bags. Since I enjoy thrifting, I had an idea to make a bag out of thrifted Levi’s or Wranglers. Fig 1. Denim Tsuno Bag Bags made from this material evoke a feeling…
Hyperbolic Beehive: Upcycled in Folds, Hanging Beehive Art
Nature’s precision has always captivated me, a notable example of which is the perfect hexagonal geometry of beehives. In my latest project, I sought to transform this natural perfection through the lens of hyperbolic geometry, creating a piece that challenges our perception of organic forms. This exploration into the intersection of natural patterns and mathematical…
CU Logo Backlit Wall Decor
Introduction For my upcycling project, I designed and created a backlit CU Buffaloes wall decor piece using laser-cut cardboard and LED lighting. The project was motivated by my college pride and love for CU football, aiming to create a visually striking yet simple decorative element that enhances interior spaces with a unique backlit effect. Concept…
The Bookframe
I confess I’m not an avid reader, but I am avid about a few of the few books I’ve read. My wife and I are slowly growing a collection of ornate books we enjoy having on display in our home. Whether they’re classic to literature or just “classic” to us, these well-built copies are made…
Baroque Violin Lamp
The aesthetic that inspired my upcycle project was the Baroque aesthetic. Arguably one of the most famous classical aesthetics, Baroque is a famous music and art style that grew popular in Western Europe from 1600 -1750. Baroque has many defining characteristics, often depicting dramatic and tense scenes. Baroque art is commonly described as a mixture…
Naturalism Stained Glass Window Panel – Design Report
Chosen Aesthetic – Naturalism For my upcycle project, I focused on the naturalism aesthetic and applied it to stained glass, which typically falls into the gothic aesthetic. Naturalism as an aesthetic incorporates elements from nature into artwork, architecture, and design as a whole. This can be seen through depictions of natural elements like trees, flowers,…
Brutalist Sculpture: Vision to Reality
My vision for this project has undergone several transformations throughout its development. The initial concept drew inspiration from Mid-Century Modern aesthetics, envisioning a piece that would combine modern epoxy material with natural rock elements to create an illusion of floating, complemented by bold colored accents and suspended threads suggesting motion around the central rock element.…
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
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