Upcycle Report: “Light Box”

Link to my presentation slides: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DM0aey_1q6RIds068RZOfYfKH4jdVQJKWEgBVGR2gP8/edit?usp=sharing

Link to my video presentation : https://youtu.be/V3vBUwSVPpM

               For my Upcycling project I decided to start the design process by first picking the materials. I had to carboard tubes about to be recycled thus I decided to use those. Then I saved a box I had laying around as I knew it could be of good use later. In the end my materials included the following:

  • 5 Cardboard Tubes
  • Part of a cardboard box
  • Half a pack of staples
  • 2 hot glue sticks
  • A 2018 used NASA Calendar
  • One can of black spray paint

One of my inspirations came from geometric 3D patterns and biomimicry specifically the hexagonal slots left by bees in their hives. Perhaps the main inspiration from my project was the cosmos, the beauty of the universe, starts black holes constellations and galaxies, I picked this because I am very passionate about space. Lastly my inspiration from the structure came from geometric sculptures without any splined lines specifically triangles and quadrilateral shapes.

The design was really born in class when asked to draw our upcycling project as seen in the sketches below. I was satisfied in the end because I do see a similarity.

The construction process began by cutting the five cardboard tubes not rings (about 80 of them) I stapled them together and created fur meshes that could then fit around a parallelogrammic frame made from cardboard strips. I painted the rings and frame black because I thought it would be more difficult to see the defects and it would suit the space theme.

I believe this project falls onto the category of modern art sculpture, and ambient lighting with a space theme. Among the pictures I chose from the calendar are a solar flare, the Crab nebula, a gas wave from the Perseus Galaxy and airglow viewed in low earth orbit.

I titled my project “The Light Box” since it has cosmic events dealing with light in the inside. The box is  best seen in the dark as the pictures can be seen more clearly.

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10 Comments. Leave new

  • Andres I like seeing your design process and the final outcome. Using the pictures with the circular cage created an interesting aesthetic for the light to shine through. The overall aesthetic is relaxing and makes as a cool light source in any room.

    Reply
  • Joseph Coulombe
    February 18, 2019 8:37 am

    The turn out of this project came out great. I enjoyed the addition of the space theme and black paint as it adds an mysteriously calming tone to the project and I feel like it would be something I’d stare at at night as I’m relaxing.

    Reply
  • Andres,
    I though your final project came out well! I think I like the space theme more than your original yellow, honeycomb aesthetic. I also agree with Taylor where I think it would look cool if you cut out some of the images to let light shine through in some places.

    Reply
  • Good presentation! I like that you explained your design along the way of crafting. I honestly think that buying black cardboard or hard paper would have cheaper and easier than spray painting. Anyway, I think overall great upcycling.

    Reply
  • Andres, I really liked to see how your final project was influenced by your inspiration pictures. I agree with you that sometimes straight lines and sharp corners aren’t always aggressive and fear inducing. I was wondering since you said some of your cardboard broke if you could’ve had a plan for how they would all go together.

    Reply
  • Ibrahim Alhajji
    February 11, 2019 1:37 pm

    I really liked the idea and the end result. The space theme was very good idea I liked it very much. It very obvious that you had some issues with the circled cardboard. I think you should consider removing them as they are blocking my favorite thing about your project which is the space theme.

    Reply
  • I liked your project idea, it felt like exactly the right amount of work for this assignment. The final product, while a bit rough, looks good! I think you could’ve done a bit more in your presentation to explain your thought process, or decisions you’ve made and focused less on the space details, which seemed extraneous. Other than that good job!

    Reply
  • Brittany Callin
    February 11, 2019 1:19 pm

    I really enjoyed the space theme and thought the honeycomb on top of the space images really tied the whole project together. I also thought your presentation was really well done and even had informative space facts which was exciting! The project could have definitely looked more professional/a finer finish on it. To do this you could have maybe used smaller circles to have more repetition on it. I have found that repetition can give a project a nice finished look.

    Reply
  • Ambrogino Depolo
    February 11, 2019 1:19 pm

    I really liked your final product Andres. You mentioned a machined final product during your presentation. I am wondering if that was an option for this project given the Upcycle parameters. If you had scrap materials to machine do you think you would have been able to finish in time?
    Good presentation. Good thinking with the space topics and background.

    Reply
  • Taylor Whittemore
    February 11, 2019 1:16 pm

    Andres,

    I really enjoyed your presentation about your space light box. I enjoyed seeing how you repurposed those pictures from your calendar to decorate the box. I was wondering if you considered cutting the images in certain places to make the light shine through in those spots. I think that could look really neat. I also like the addition of the hexagonal cage around the lamp itself. I think it is nice enough for you to save.

    Reply

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