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Welcome to the Aesthetics of Design Website. This site displays student work in the Aesthetics of Design class at CU Boulder. This site serves as an archive for past student projects, and for current students to develop their portfolio and documenting skills.

This year’s eighth post, the Design Preview. This post summarizes the plans for the main project, and informs a critique by 7 or 8 other students.

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…

Design Preview Report: Ari Matrajt

Idea: For my project, I imagine creating a multifunctional cooking tool similar to a spatula but with an interchangeable head, allowing users to switch between different attachments, like a spoon. This creative design provides convenience and adaptability in the kitchen, accommodating diverse cooking requirements with a single, versatile utensil. Additionally, drawing inspiration from the protective…

Rocket & Moon Kinetic Sculpture

  In the realm where metal meets motion, where artistry intertwines with engineering precision, lies the captivating world of kinetic sculpture. As I embark on the journey to create my own dynamic masterpiece, I find myself drawn to the mesmerizing works of Kyle Auga, the mastermind behind Kyle’s Kinetics. Inspired by the delicate balance and…

Post 8: Design Preview Report

Introduction: In this report, I embark on a journey of artistic exploration, delving into the realm of Abstract Art and surrealism intertwined with the intriguing concept of pseudo perpetual machines. Drawing inspiration from a diverse tapestry of experiences, ranging from childhood visits to art exhibitions to recent encounters with mesmerizing structures at the MIT Museum…

Nanoleaf Clone

For my project, I will do my own take on Nanoleaf lines. I think these are really cool and they can bring a nice atmosphere to my room. I want to have something with fluid lights that can grab attention. I want something more than just the boring LED strips that are typically in people’s…

Design Preview: Infinity Portal

Abstract Tech My main project will be of the Abstract Tech aesthetic. Abstract Tech includes digital holograms, lights, geometric patterns, and conceptual “technology” to paint a futuristic picture. This aesthetic draws on the technology movement of the 20th century. There is often digital circuitry involved in this aesthetic, and an overall futuristic feel. Below is…

Design Preview Plans: Modern Art Kinetic Sculpture

For my final project, I’ve drawn significant inspiration from the work of Alexander Calder, one of the most prolific mobile makers of all time. His creations fall into the category of impressionist modern art, with his sculptures embodying quintessential modernism. Throughout his lifetime, he crafted thousands of kinetic sculptures and received astounding critical acclaim, with…

Minimalist Outdoor Fan

For the project, I’ve decided to spruce up a prototype I made last summer and hopefully create a nice housing. The prototype is essentially a swamp cooler with less humidity. The inspiration of it came from camping in New Mexico during the summer. When I went, it was unbearably hot and I didn’t want to…

Minimalist Charging Station

Minimalist charging station by OakleyWood – https://oakywood.shop/products/iphone-dual-dock?variant=8118138142824&currency=USD&&campaign_id=19906805238&ad_id=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwncWvBhD_ARIsAEb2HW9GP4OBIUhPQqNz1pL4mN6w849WC5by35fg5Ksqb6uv8GIeSU3G9GkaAtHzEALw_wcB For my final project I will be making a minimalist charging station for my desk. I was first inspired to make this project last summer at my internship. One of the other interns was planning on making a personal project and made a CAD mock-up of a charging…

Pinhole Camera: Design Preview

Main Project: I am planning to make a pinhole camera with a shutter mechanism that allows for different exposure times. The camera will either be in the Industrial aesthetic or 90s clear plastic electronics aesthetic. How It Works: A pinhole camera is a very simple image making device that relies on the “camera obscura” effect.…

BIG WING

PROGRESS I started creating renders for my wing. This was done in a solidworks assembly. I will be using an e423-il airfoil with a 40 cm chord. Using a high Reynolds number and an operating speed of 120 mph I calculated about 250lbs of downforce. The uprights will be made out of 6061 aluminum and…

Time’s Gamble: Making a Miniature Roulette Table Wristwatch

Choosing My Aesthetic In my previous post, I dived into the vast and intriguing world of wristwatches and the many possible aesthetics that they could fall into.  Ranging from minimalistic to luxurious to an open-concept skeleton watch.  After much contemplation, brainstorming, and ideation, I have decided to mend the mechanics of timekeeping with the thrill…

Post 8: Design Preview

INTRODUCTION In this post I will describe my process in creating an Organic Modern aesthetic style mirror inspired by natural and sustainable structures. This project aims to bring a functional furniture element into a space while also acting as an interior design piece blending minimalistic styles, functionality of a mirror, and a dynamic lighting design.…

Design Preview Report

What I will be making for my final project is a dynamic alcohol display. This will be a flat wooden plate with three different spots for three respective bottles. The bottles will be lighted from the bottom with LED’s with a dynamic aspect coming from the light refraction due to the changing levels of liquid…

Scandinavian Inspired Flap Clock

In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of tranquility and simplicity can feel like a luxury. However, amidst the chaos of daily life, there’s a timeless design philosophy that offers a sanctuary of calm and comfort: Scandinavian style. Originating from the Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, Scandinavian design has captivated the world…

Design Preview Report – Driftwood Pendant Light

The driftwood pendant light captures the essence of rustic charm, infusing any space with a delightful blend of natural allure and organic elegance. Its distinctive appeal lies in the intricate forms of the driftwood pieces, each boasting unique twists, knots, and weathered textures that narrate stories of nature’s artistry. These irregular shapes not only lend…

Design Preview Report: Industrial Lamp

Introduction This report outlines the development of an industrial aesthetic style lamp inspired by the organic structures of plants. This fusion aims to bring a piece of the natural world into the industrial context, blending the robust, metallic characteristics of industrial design with the asymmetric, curving forms of flora. Project Vision and Inspiration Conceptualization The…

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…

Thin Ice Gameboy

Throughout my engineering career, I had always thought I hated circuits. It wasn’t until my senior design project that I realized I just didn’t like it because I was bad at it! This led to to want to try to do something with circuits for this project.  The inspiration for this project came from walking…