Post 8 – 2025 : Design Preview Report

For my final project, I have chosen to make an Adirondack ski chair, or a lounging outdoor chair made from a collection of vintage ski sets. My dad has spent over 30 years collecting vintage skis, most of which are from the 1990s and early 2000s. He has always dreamed repurposing them into a functional…

For my main project I will be creating a Mobile in the Art Nouveau Aesthetic. My main inspiration for this project is the work of Alexander Calder, who pioneered the mobile as a form of kinetic sculpture. His work The S-Shaped Vine is shown as the featured image of this post, this is one of my…

Epoxy River Table The inspiration for my piece came from my love for nature and always wanting to construct this table from scratch.  There wasn’t much stray away from this idea from the beginning and I was pretty set with getting this project done.  It will be a coffee table that has a dynamic piece…

Introduction The CyberCrystal Vest is a wearable electronic fashion piece that fuses cyberpunk aesthetics, rave culture, and interactive LED technology into a single garment. By integrating custom-designed, 3D-printed crystal spikes with Neopixel LEDs, the vest reacts dynamically to movement, making it a visually striking and immersive experience for festivals, performances, and nightlife. My goal is…

Introduction For my main project, I am developing a rotating 3D sculpture that presents two distinct images depending on the viewing angle. The concept plays with perception, allowing one form to transform into another as the sculpture rotates. This aligns with the project’s emphasis on aesthetics first, function second, where motion itself becomes part of…

Introduction Many aesthetics define my personal design style. In the past, I have drawn inspiration from Mid Century Modern, Space Age/Atomic Design, Biophilic Design and Bauhaus-esque functional minimalism. It is difficult to choose one style over the others; I believe that every style has merit depending on its context. Fortunately, many of my favorite aesthetics…

Project Overview: For my main project, I will be designing and manufacturing a ski boot and glove dryer—a functional device that ensures ski gear is warm and dry, whether before hitting the slopes or preparing for the next day of adventure. This project combines engineering principles with practical application, focusing on creating an efficient system…

For my main design project I will be creating a minimalist spice rack. My inspiration for this project came when I decided that I wanted something that could serve practical use for me as I venture off into the world after graduate. As an RA, I have lived in the dorms for the past few…

For my project, I plan on making the exciting game of Catan but with a naturalistic/rustic aesthetic. Catan is a complex and strategic board game where players take on roles as a settler, with their goal to expand and each victory points. Players build and develop on the board by trading and acquiring resources. The…

As you may have seen in my last post I am planning on creating a mid century modern nightstand. This project mostly came about due to the fact that I currently do not have a nightstand so I have no convenient place to store things near my bed or put things on such as drinks,…

I am designing and creating a cutting board that incorporates an optical illusion pattern using different hardwoods. This idea originally stemmed from a wooden toilet seat my parents own, which features a lion graphic. My initial inspiration came from wanting to craft my own wooden toilet seat after my current one broke. However, after researching…

Rustic farm design is an aesthetic that evokes the simplicity, charm, and ruggedness of farm life. It celebrates the beauty in the imperfections of handmade or well-worn items, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. This design aesthetic can be broken down into several key characteristics: utilitarian design and weathered, heavily-used elements. By understanding these components,…

After doing the ‘Alternatives’ exercise last week I decided that I really liked how my water filter project might look with an Art Nouveau Aesthetic. I modified the plans slightly to make it more practical, with straight tubing and a smaller base. Design Preview Sketch The materials I plan on using are as follows: Laser…

My main inspiration for this project is the gyroscopic watch winder I saw online. The watch winder is made by a YouTuber named Practical Engineer. While looking for watch winders online, I realized I might be able to make one. After talking to my friend, who did it alone, I realized I could make one…

Introduction At first, I was very unsure of my personal aesthetic, as I believe it could be many different things. However, taking a step back and looking at my bedroom, I think my style is best categorized by the “urban” aesthetic and “vintage” aesthetic. I already have aspects of these aesthetics in my bedroom, but…

Project Title: Arcane ChronoSphere – A Magical Timepiece What I Am Going to Make For my main project, I will create an interactive Arcane ChronoSphere, a mystical timepiece that visually represents time passing with dynamic movement and shifting light patterns. The ChronoSphere will use LED animations and rotational mechanics to symbolize different aesthetic themes, such…

Lighting plays an integral role in shaping the ambiance of a space. For the longest time, I used only an overhead light. As I grew and matured, I realized that lighting influences the warmth, balance, and overall feng shui of a room. My maturity caused me to seek a harmonious light balance to my space,…

Gift For an Anime Nerd My final project is a helmet based on the accessory of the protagonist in the anime Code Geass. This item will stand on a magnetic levitation display that will slowly rotate the object while levitating it using a permanent magnet. This object is intended as a gift for my boyfriend…

An oversized pocket watch conversion by Colorado-based company Vortic. For my main project, I am converting a 1907 Waltham Grade 165 (~0s, 15J) pocket watch movement into a wearable wristwatch. I chose this movement because, as a 0s movement, it has a modest 29mm diameter, making it well-suited for wristwatch conversion without looking overly large…

What and Why? Problem: Textile waste is a huge contributor to overall waste and global warming. From the documentary ” The True Cost”,  Americans throw away 82 pounds of textile waste each year = 11 million tons. Additionally, the council for textile recycling states that Americans recycle or donate only 15 percent of clothing, making…

For my main project I will be making an end table for my couch with a folding leaf extension in the rustic cottage core aesthetic. I chose this aesthetic because I really enjoy it and it matches my current living room decor. I also knew I wanted to use wood to create this end table…

As a happy hobbyist in the RC airplane area, I enjoy messing around and building different RC aircraft. I’ve dabbled in creating a drone to building an entire RC airplane from foamboard. The only problem comes to the flying part. I am terrible at piloting. Every aircraft I have is either broken or has major…

This project has already had many iterations and different plans. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do for my project, but my initial plan was not what I really wanted to make. After coming up with my final idea for a toy piano, I started thinking about another project that I would…

Project Overview For my main project I am aiming to create a fountain combined with a planter, using a DIY fountain kit and forming a scene around it. My goal is to have a piece that can act as an artistic artifact while automating plant watering. I originally planned to pursue a naturalistic aesthetic, however…

Project Overview Human reactions to design aesthetics are deeply rooted in cognitive and psychological processing (Palmer, et al, 2013). Perception plays a crucial role in aesthetic response, and on Earth, where gravity provides a fixed frame of reference, humans, in most settings, interpret design aesthetics from a single orientation (Greenland & Morgenstern, 1991). However, in…

Vintage Sports Aesthetic For the final project, my plan for the aesthetic will be vintage sports. The vintage sports aesthetic captures the nostalgic feel of classic sports memorabilia, drawing from the styles, colors, and materials of past decades. It often features muted, faded colors like deep reds, navy blues, and mustard yellows, giving everything a…

  For this design project, I have decided to make a clock. It will be of the same design philosophy as seen in organic design and art nouveau, however, I am putting my own modern twist on it – This being dramatic shapes, impactful colors, and illusions.  This process of designing has and will continue…

For my main project, I want to make a car camping build out bed for my Honda Pilot. I hope to use this project on a road trip this summer, allowing me to me enjoy the flexibility of sleeping just about anywhere without having to set up a tent. Functionally I want the bet to…

For my main project, I am creating a retro-futuristic robot head inspired by retro sci-fi aesthetics. This robotic head will be functional as an aluminum can crusher and as a piece of wall art. The internals of the crushing mechanism will be hidden by the facade of the robot head, and I am leaning toward…

Every Shoe display I’ve found online has the same design and aesthetic—a sleek black U-shaped bar with an LED backdrop to highlight the shoe. So, When I was brainstorming how I wanted to move away from this design and the minimalist luxury aesthetic, I still wanted to maintain some key features, a base that surrounds…

Progress on my project has been good, and I am entering further stages of it as we speak. Currently, the project has remained the same. It is a Fightstick, a type of specialized game controller, made with a Classic Rock aesthetic. These controllers are specialized for a genre of games known as Fighting Games. The…

I’ve finally nailed down the design for my sliding bedframe, and it’s been quite the process. The biggest challenge was finding a sliding mechanism that fit my space constraints but could also handle a 400 lb dynamic load. After a lot of searching, I landed on the VEVOR sliding rail system from Amazon. These rails…

For my final project, I am designing and assembling a custom dress GMT watch. The watch will feature an NH34 movement, a purchased case and bracelet, and a 3D-printed dial that I will design and fabricate myself. This project combines my passion for horology, design, and craftsmanship, with the goal of creating a timepiece that…

Introduction: Bringing Classic Hollywood to Life For my main project, I am creating a vintage-inspired clapperboard that captures the essence of classic Hollywood. The project is deeply rooted in my appreciation for film history and aesthetics, drawing inspiration from mid-century movie production tools. The goal is to craft a functional yet nostalgic artifact, blending the…

The allure of brutalism lies in its unapologetic embrace of raw materials, geometric forms, and the inherent beauty of structural honesty. It is an aesthetic that eschews ornamentation in favor of the fundamental elements of design, celebrating the strength and permanence of concrete, steel, and other robust materials. This essay explores the design and construction…

For my final project, I wanted to create something both practical and personal—an object I use daily and can easily bring home when I move in May. Since I spend so much time at my desk, a functional yet aesthetically refined accessory made sense. After having done a lot of research for desk accessories, I…

What I Am Making Origami Inspired Chair [1] For my main project, I am designing a functional, space-saving floor chair that folds using origami-inspired techniques. My motivation stems from the need for more efficient seating in my small studio living/dining room. Since I am currently redoing my living space to accommodate a floor table, I…

For my main project this semester, I am designing a portable bedside nightlight that will take the form of a large magical amethyst-like crystal. Inspirations I currently have a little electric candle that I keep between my bedroom and my bathroom. It is very useful to have as a low light bedside lamp while I…

For my final project, I will be making a set of aesthetically pleasing and functional tools. This set of flint knapping tools will include an Ishi-stick (indirect percussion tool), a handheld pressure flaker, a carrying sack, and potentially some sort of mallet to use with the ishi stick. The dynamic component of this project will…

For my main project, I’m recreating a mountain shelf I made a few years ago—with added details I’ll discuss later. I love this piece because it perfectly aligns with my personal aesthetic. I’m particularly drawn to wood-based creations, which add a rustic charm and warmth to any space. As a Colorado native, I wanted to…

What? Thrift Diving’s puzzle board with drawers. My design process closely follows this tutorial. Photo from [5].When considering what to do for my main project, I decided to consider my interests and whether there was anything I could make for my own personal use. What could I create that was dynamic, would be useful to…

Call it a bucket list item. I once spent a week with a luthier, learning how to build acoustic guitars with him and his two apprentices in southern Alabama. I slept on an air mattress next to a very old Brazilian piano awaiting its turn at refurbishment. Wilder still, the shop was in what used…

The Space Cowboy Lamp is what I have chosen for my final project for this course. Some of my inspirations for this project are as follows: Elite Dangerous Heads Up Display, Elite Dangerous Elite Dangerous Lakon Ship Interior, Elite Dangerous One of my favorite instances of sci-fi / space that I will be referencing in…

1. What I’m Making The 1970s were defined by a fascination with geometric experimentation, organic forms, and multifunctional design—aesthetic principles that directly inspire this bookshelf’s hexagonal rotating core. Unlike traditional rectangular or circular shelves, the hexagon strikes a balance between efficiency and visual intrigue. Each of the six sides is angled at 120 degrees, creating…

*The featured image is purely conceptual and does not fully illustrate the final design intentions of the lamp* Inspiration and Vision: For my main project, I will be designing a lamp whose base and top are connected via a sliding rail. There is a momentary switch that when the lamp is closed, the light is…

For my main project, I decided to build front suspension uprights for my 1965 Ford Mustang race car project. This race car must comply with a strict set of rules within the GT1 TransAm section of the Sports Car Club of America General Competition Rulebook in order to be allowed to race in my desired…

Vision For my main project, I will be trying something outside of my comfort zone. I will be attempted a traditional Galician aesthetic. Now I am aware that is seemingly random. However, this is because I plan on making a jewelry box in the shape of a Galician Horreo for my girlfriend who is Galician.…