Post 11: Final Report Part 1 – What
As I reach the conclusion of my Lil’ Storm Lamp project, it’s time to reflect on what exactly happened so far. This first part of the final report focuses on describing the completed project, detailing its features, functionalities, and the final aesthetic. An Overview Lil Storm Lamp (Aesthetic: Oriental-Contemporary Fusion) Design and Aesthetics: My…
Post 10: Progress on Lil’ Storm Lamp
Here’s an update on the happenings around Lil’ Storm Lamp: What I’ve Done: Ordered LED lights: I’ve sourced LED lights from Amazon that will interact with sound from the bluetooth speaker to create dynamic lighting effects. Ordered a sound controller for LED and sound integration: This component is crucial as it will help synchronize…
Post 9: Top 5 Goals and Top 5 Constraints
Project: “Lil’ Storm Lamp” Aesthetic: “Oriental-Contemporary Fusion” Prompt: “What are the top 5 things you want your project to look like, to feel like, to do? What are the aspects that will tell you you’ve succeeded in your project? What are you prioritizing? Next, what are the top 5 constraints you face? Time, money, skills,…
Final Report Part 1: Abstract Structural Art
A. INTRODUCTION: Abstract Structural Art: Blending Modernism with Minimalism The project undertaken delves into the realm of abstract structural art, marrying elements of modernism and minimalism. Two principal sources provided inspiration and direction for this endeavor. Inspiration 1: MIT Museum Art Exhibition The artifacts showcased at the MIT Museum Art Exhibition served as an initial…
Final Report Post 12: How? – Ari Matrajt
In this half of the report, I will go over the manufacturing of the final piece. I will also talk about the challenges I faced in building it and what I learned over the process. First, I created a timeline for the project, which looked like this: March 10-March 23: Finalize plans/design April 2-April 7:…
Post 11: Final Report Part 1
Introduction My vision for this project was to combine elements of the whimsical and steampunk aesthetics to create a mechanical wooden puzzle. The whimsical elements would be displayed through the design and embellishments of the carousel and the steampunk aesthetic would be carried through in the exposed mechanical pieces. In the end, I was not…
Post 11: What and Why? – Ari Matrajt
For this project, I wanted to create something that would be challenging to manufacture and would expand my current skills. I have been cooking a lot recently, so I thought I could improve my current spatulas. My goal was to make a spatula with interchangeable “heads” to reduce the space needed to keep these utensils…
Post 10 – Game Board Progress
So far for this project, I have not made enough progress for it to be recognizable. I started by looking for spare wood that had a nice grain and thickness. At the wood shop that I work in, I have had ample opportunity to collect potential materials. I ended up taking a couple spare 6ish…
Post 10: Bikepacking Frame Bag Update
As mentioned in previous blog posts I have significantly changed my design since Blog Post 8. I initially intended to use some old black fabric I had on hand. I liked this choice initially because I didn’t need to go shopping for more. Also the black nicely blends in with my bike’s aesthetic (red frame,…
Post 10: Progress – Organic Modern Mirror
Introduction I have been working on creating a mirror with lights and a wavy styled frame that is in the organic modern aesthetic. Since the design report, I first re-drew my sketches in more detail and with exact measurements and listed out the materials and size of each component. I need to laser cut the…
Post 9: Minimalist Catan Board
Wooden Catan Board | Crafted Settlers Of Catan Wood Boards The main point of my project is to simplify and revamp the Catan board design. The plan is to make it in a minimalist aesthetic and get rid of most of the detail and color. I would say that the top 5 specifications I want…
Post 10
2″x4″ Wood Frame I purchased three 2″x4″x8′ pieces of wood from Home Depot. I have cut most of the pieces to length and have begun attaching the columns of mylar disks. I will wait to assemble the frame until all the mylar disk columns have been attached in case my sizing estimate is slightly off.…
Pop Art Stunt Kite Design Preview
For my main project I will be making a stunt kite. I would love if my kite both looks great and also flies well but will start with trying to make a flashy looking kite. Inspiration I started thinking about what I could design almost as soon as I signed up for this class. I…
Gameboy Progress
I am honestly quite behind in what I said I was going to do…so far I have got a working circuit that plays the tetris code from the tutorial I was working on! But getting there is a story… I utilized my spring break quite well. I learnt that I really do suck with circuits.…
Post 10
Hexagon lights The goal of my project is to create an LED light fixture to go on my wall. Right now, I am testing a version with 3 hexagons but I am also looking into other designs. Here is a picture of the LED segments with diffusers on. Here, I am experimenting with different formations.…
Progress
As a quick recap, my project is creating an end table out of an old school desk, I am designing it in the Bauhaus aesthetic because of the metal pipes the desk legs are made of. Currently I have painted the desktop and I have cut down all of the metal. I attached the pipe…
Wristwatch Project: Progress
This Past Week My past week working on this project was spent with half of my time researching watchmakers and practices while the other half was spent perusing online retailers to find sellers that had parts of watches I liked. My research showed that if you wanted to make your own wristwatch there were 3…
Progress Update: Scandinavian Lamp
Here is a recap of my project idea so far. For my project, I am planning on making a lamp either for my desk or bedside table. I want it to be something that I can turn on late at night to provide me with light without keeping me awake. This would be done through…
Progress: Snuffle Mats
I want to begin by recapping my plan and updating my progress for my final design project. I plan to make three snuffle mats, one for each of my two dogs and one for my cat. A snuffle mat is a flat mat that has bits of fabric attached to it that create pockets and…
Progress – Cargo Kite
Work is proceeding. I have partially redone the CAD to fix the bugginess of the original assembly, redesign the cross-spar joints, and update the design to the smaller size of main spars I was able to source (the kite was originally 180 cm long; now, 150). Further, I have received parts! The fiberglass spars and…
Progress Update: Airfoil Can Crusher
Background and Purpose Growing up in a family with German roots, I developed a fondness for sparkling water, finding its refreshing taste irresistible. However, this preference led to accumulating numerous aluminum cans, all destined for the recycling bin. The sheer volume of cans occupied significant space, necessitating frequent emptying of the recycling bin. In contrast…
Post – 10 – Progress
For my final project I have decided to take the dramatic landscape of the flat iron mountain range as inspiration to create a piece of wall art that will dynamically change to match the outside light that a photoresistor will be detecting. I have chosen this as my final project due to the fact that…
Progress
Joshua Beijer Progress The past week I have been focusing on the spinner part of my design. For my first revision, I cut a single layer of 1/8 in a plywood sheet. I cut a few extra rings in case any would break. My next step was lining up the holes and drilling them. This…
Post 6: Project Plans and Inspiration
Blog Post #6: My Main Project: The Sound-Reactive Vase For my main project, I’ve combined old-style beauty with new tech in a sound-reactive vase. It’s about 12-13 inches tall, with a classic white and blue design, and it lights up in response to sounds, especially thunder. This vase isn’t just for holding flowers; it’s a…
Post 4: Japanese-Oriental Futuristic to Brutalist Industrial
The opposite of a Japanese-Oriental fusion aesthetic, which typically combines the natural, serene, and minimalistic elements of Japanese and Oriental designs, would be a “Brutalist Industrial” aesthetic. Here’s how it contrasts: Name: Brutalist Industrial Style Characteristics: Materials: Heavy use of raw, unfinished materials like concrete, steel, and glass, often in their most basic, unadorned…
Camping Table – Specifications, Constraints
For my final project I am building a camping table to put in the back of my car. I am a fan of camping out of my car, and I would love to have something that I can put things to cook on when I want to. I would also love it if it’s something…
Specifications and Constraints
Top 5 Specifications: Music control functionality/Spotify interface The most important part of the project is that it has the ability to actually control my Spotify music library Connection to speakers To be a worthwhile desktop piece, it is crucial that the device is able to connect to external speakers so that music can be played…
Post 9: top 5 specifications, top 5 contstaints
For my couch/bed in my van conversion, I want to include the following specifications: Specifications: 1) Ease of Conversion: The bed must be able to transition into the couch with ease, and vice versa. This is important to me in creating an environment inside of my small van that is stress-free and allows me to…
Wind Turbine Specs and Constraints
Example of Vertical Wind Turbine 1 These are the top five specifications for my project: The wind turbine should look minimalist in nature with no strong presence of color to keep the color scheme as simple as possible to achieve that goal. As my components will be mostly 3D printed, this can be accomplished by…
Driftwood Light – Specifications and Constraints
As I move forward with the idea of making driftwood light, there are constraints as well as specifications that signify success in the production of the product. To signify that the driftwood light is a success, I consider the following specifications: 1. Aesthetic Appeal: The light should have a visually appealing design that effectively combines…
Game Board – Top 5 specifications, Top 5 constraints
As mentioned in previous posts, I want to make this project look home styled and classic. To achieve this I plan on doing a couple simple designs to really achieve this aesthetic. To begin, I want to prioritize the size and shape. To fulfill the atmosphere of sitting at a comforting table, the game board…
Project specifications and restraints
As a quick recap, my project is creating an end table out of an old school desk, I am designing it in the Bauhaus aesthetic because of the metal pipes the desk legs are made of. My main goal with this project is to keep it clean, Bauhaus is a very minimalistic aesthetic so I…
Specifications and Constraints
Top 5 Specifications High Quality Laser Cut Patterns The most important aspect of the project is the quality of the laser cut mountain and tree patterns. If those don’t turn out well, the piece will not be the desired quality and my parents won’t want to have it displayed in their new house. Matches…
Mid-Century Modern Xylophone: Top 5 Specifications, Constraints
My final project is to create a small, box-resonated xylophone in the mid-century modern style. While my main focus on this project is the aesthetic, I would also like this to be a playable instrument. Here are some of my most important specifications and biggest constraints. Specifications Aesthetic This one is pretty obvious. This project…
Alexander Calder Style Kinetic Sculpture: Top 5 Specifications and Constraints
As I’ve stated in my previous posts about my final project I plan to make an Alexander Calder inspired kinetic sculpture. I’m trying to create a mobile that looks weightless. One of the main specifications that I’m aiming for is the visual appearance of the sculpture appearing to defy gravity; this specification is going to…
Post 9: Top 5 Specifications, Top 5 Constraints
My project is to make an Organic Modern mirror that is functional and also a decorative piece. After my initial design stage, I have come up with my top 5 specifications and top 5 constraints that I will go over below. Top 5 Specifications 1. My top specification is to make a mirror in…
Post 9 – 2024 Specifications and Constraints
For my final project I am creating a virtual assistant using a chatbot. The main aesthetic for the virtual assistant is a combination of cyberpunk technology and graffiti. My main focus is the enclosure for the hardware and having a well designed and polished final product. Specifications 1. Aesthetic The biggest aspect of this project…
Post 9: Top 5 specifications, top 5 constraints
For my final project I am still on course for creating a Viking aesthetic wood carving electric guitar. The main project entails the creation of a bespoke electric guitar entirely crafted from wood, including the body, neck, and fretboard. Embracing a natural aesthetic, the guitar will feature hand-carved wooden embellishments inspired by elements of the…
Specifications and Constraints: Cargo Kite
Specs: Large/Heavy-Lift, Rigid, Stable in Flight, Minimalist but Interesting, Unthreatening but Visible Constraints: TIME, man all those materials were expensive, Shop Availability, Sewing Ability, Headspace? One of the biggest goals of this design is to be large! This comes from both its ultimate purpose – being a kite that lifts things – and from my…
NASA Pragmatism Project: Top 5 specifications, top 5 constraints
For my final design project, I am choosing to design a concept for a long transit spacecraft in the style of what I like to call ‘NASA Pragmatism’, an aesthetic that is driven by functional design for space, but ends up having a very distinct and recognizable look nonetheless. To summarize the entire…
Main Project plans and inspirations
For my project I will be creating a programmable LED display encased in a wood frame. I will be blending the natural feel of the wood with the retro aspect of a led display. I aim to produce a functional artistic piece that can reflect my personal aesthetic while being able to change due to…
Post 9: NeuMouse Requirements and Restrictions
Recap: I am designing a computer mouse in the style of ‘neumorphism’. Neumorphism is an aesthetic commonly used in modern UI’s which originates from skeumorphism and glassmorphism. It is characterized by rounded shapes which appear to protrude and fade into a background of a similar shade and color. Typical color schemes contain neon/pastel blues and…
Top 5 specifications and constraints
My final project as discussed in previous posts will be a wristwatch with the goal of the aesthetic to match a Las Vegas Casino and directly inspired from a roulette wheel. However, after extensive research and online shopping, this aesthetic combined with the already difficult task of creating a wristwatch might have been a little…
Post 9: Specifications and Constraints
Project Reminder: My final project will be a simplistic, low profile wooden light fixture taking inspiration from the minimalist aesthetic. It will be constructed from a hallowed out 2×4 plank of wood, a 3/8th acrylic sheet and warm LED strip lights. The dynamic component of this project will be from the LED’s ability to change…
Specifications and Constraints- Abstract Art
For my project I have chosen Abstract art in combination with skeletal structure of the biggest earth excavator in the world. Bagger 288 built by the German company Krupp. The following are the top 5 specifications that I have considered for the completion of my Artifact: 1. My artifact should feel like a robust solid…
Specifications and Constraints — Gameboy
My dynamic project is Arduino-controlled replication of “Thin Ice”, a minigame of the computer-based online game, Club Penguin. For those that don’t know, here is a brief explanation of the game: The player is a puffle or an in-game pet that melts the ice beneath it. The player moves with the arrow on a keyboard.…
Post 9: Top 5’s
Top 5 things I want my project to look like: Sleek Lighted Contrasting Speakeasy-esque Industrial Feel like: Classy Eloquent Fitted Polished Sharp Do: Display bottles Light from the bottom Change light color Sit flat Store easily What will tell me I’ve succeeded: The expression of awe from those that see it for…
Post 9: Brutalist Lamp
For my project, I have some very specific looks I am going for in the sense of portraying my aesthetic and utilizing light. First, since I am going for the concrete brutalist aesthetic, I want to produce the smoothest surface finish on the lamp as possible. I hope to have the exterior concrete shell of…
Opposite Upcycle Aesthetic: Art Nouveau
Figure displaying Art Nouveau illustration from source [1] Art Nouveau Art Nouveau flourished between 1890 and 1910 in the U.S. and Europe. It is an ornamental style characterized by the use of long, flowing, organic lines. Like Art Deco, it was “employed most often in architecture, interior design, jewelry and glass design, posters, and illustration”…
Post 9: Top 5 Specifications, Top 5 Constraints- Ari Matrajt
For my kitchen tool project, the top five specifications I prioritize revolve around functionality, usability, aesthetics, and durability. Firstly, interchangeability is a must. The ability to switch between different utensil heads, such as a spatula to a spoon or a fork, adds versatility and convenience to the tool, making it useful in many cooking tasks…
Design Preview: Mcbling Guillotine
Inspiration/Intro: This project is my excuse to build something I’ve been wanting to for a very long time. A guillotine is perhaps one of the most interesting methods of execution, at least in my opinion. It is a message, it isn’t a slow walk towards an executioner but towards a cold, unflinching device. It’s large…
Post 9: Top 5 Specifications, Top 5 Constraints
Top 5 Specifications: 1. Uniform Disk Distribution Since it aligns with my aesthetic and aids in visualizing how the air is moving over discrete spaces I want my project to have as near to a uniform reflective disk distribution as possible. Since the project is going to be fairly large even a small slant in…
Plans and Drawings – Western Fashion Aesthetic
My inspiration for the project is to create an outfit that resembles an authentic country look as well as give it a form that resembles more fem, form, and pose. To do country aesthetic right, you have to go to its roots and history to have the solid foundation that forms the authentic. The Western…
Post 8 – Victorian Detective Kit –
Key-point: For a while there was a creative block preventing me from finding any aesthetic that would call to me me to use as my project’s crucible. At first the idea of a spy-gadget kit filled with gadgets one would see in 007 films or spyology books, but then I took it another step further…
Steering Wheel: Specs and Constraints
For my final project I am creating a Street Racing Steering Wheel that will connect to and control an xbox controller. The primary goal of my project is to embody the street racing aesthetic in every aspect. I want the final product to exhibit the sleek, futuristic style that is common within this aesthetic. It…
Design Preview Report: Spotify Jukebox
Background Hypothetical Spotify-branded jukebox: https://www.yankodesign.com/2022/05/03/spotify-jukebox-boasting-a-curved-display-brings-house-parties-to-your-desk/ For some background, I intend to create a desktop music-control device that interfaces with my Spotify library. This device will be comprised of an old TV and a Raspberry Pi and use Bluetooth/WiFi to connect to some existing speakers. Initially, I hoped to use the Space Age aesthetic due to…
Post 7: Main Project Aesthetics: Plans and Alternatives
For my project, I want to build an artifact that is a testament to the person I am, my interests, and the way I think. I want every element to feel inspired, like it is a representation of just me. In my previous post, I outlined the general vision I have for my artifact: my…
Design Preview – Cargo Kite
In-progress CAD of my design. My final project concept, as you may have gathered from the title, is a big kite! Since I wanted a large kite for potentially lifting things in the future, I went for a rigid, box design, very similar to the inventor Lawrence Hargrave’s initial designs. After roughing out the ratios…
Post 8: Design Preview Report: Van Build Bed/Couch
Embarking on the construction of a convertible couch/bed within the compact confines of a Chevy Astro van presents a unique challenge. The aim is to integrate comfortable seating and sleeping arrangements alongside a kitchenette and optimal storage solutions within this limited space. As we plan this project, the focus is not only on functionality but…
Minimalist Expanding Coffee Table
For my final project, I wanted to challenge myself and develop a large wooden piece that utilizes a hinge to make an innovative and conversation-provoking centerpiece in my living room. To accomplish this I have taken several steps to make this concept a reality including doing a deep dive into the aesthetic that I will…
Final Project – Country
What I am thinking about doing is sewing, crafting, designing, laser cutting, and metal crafting a Country jacket. I got inspiration from a photography project that I was doing. I wanted to craft an outfit that blurs gender lines within an authentic 1800s Western country. What I plan to do is to buy a leather…
Design Preview Report
Joshua Beijer Design Preview Report I have been thinking of what I want my final artifact to be since the middle of our last project. I wanted something small and elegant that I could put on my desk throughout my career. I knew I wanted it to look very professional and sleek and have a…
Brutalist OR Space Age Desk Lamp
Project Motivation Just like my upcycling project (a shoe rack made from old skateboards), I would like my main project to be a functional item that I will use in my day to day life. I have been looking to get a desk lamp for my room ever since I moved in August, but I…
Design Preview 1 – Stop Motion Dinosaur
To recap: for my final project, I’m going to be making a stop motion dinosaur puppet in the style of classic special effects films, as popularized by filmmakers like Willis O’Brien and Ray Harryhausen. By extension, this project will channel the aesthetic of vintage 1900s paleoart, which is defined by reptilian depictions of dinosaurs no…
Design Preview – Game Boards
Throughout the brainstorming of this project, I am consistently struggling to make my artifact something that is time manageable. Continuing with the initial idea of a chess board, I thought of some game boards that are easier to complete such as peg board games. These types of games are commonly found in restaurants, bars, and…
Design Preview: Mid-Century Modern Xylophone
I lied to all of you. In my last post, I showed a picture of a mid-century modern xylophone and said I would not be doing this project in that style. Surprise! I actually loved the look of that sketch so much that I decided to make it the aesthetic of my final project. Design…
Design Preview Report: Custom Bike Frame
I am an avid cyclist, and as a result, I have obtained many different bicycles. However, one bicycle that I do not have is a Street Trials Bike. For many years, I have ridden competition trials, but I have never really gotten into Street Trials primarily because the bike frames are fairly small and do…
Post 8 – Gear Wall Art Design Preview
[1] 3D Printed Gears – Jakk, Additive X My initial idea for the final project in this course was to 3D print a series of gears and mount them to a board or series of arms that would then attach to a wall for a piece of interactive art. I wanted to incorporate some activated…
Design Preview: Retro Ski Bench
For my final project I am creating a bench made out of skis, in the aesthetic of Retro Skiing. I chose this aesthetic based off of my childhood experiences growing up skiing with my dad. The bench takes inspiration from the 80s era of skiing when my dad learned how to ski. Below are some…
Design Preview Report: Scale model of long range spacecraft
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/visions-of-the-future#grid-127451-1 To say my life revolves around space exploration is probably a bit dramatic, but I will say that a huge portion of my favorite things to discuss, think about, and even my career path involve space exploration. To me, it just seems like the natural progression of humanity’s journey: we have catalogued pretty much…