Jacob Krajnik’s Portfolio: Upcycle and Final Project

This past semester in Aesthetics of Design has been a deeply rewarding journey of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on building. Through both the Upcycle and Main Project, I had the chance to combine my personal values, like sustainability, utility, and craftsmanship, with practical design work that reflects who I am and how I approach design challenges.

Starting with Upcycling: A Self-Watering Planter

The first project of the semester was the Upcycle Project, and I took inspiration directly from home. My wife and I share a love for plants, but keeping them consistently watered, especially when we travel, has always been a challenge. I saw this as an opportunity to design a self-watering planter using only recycled materials.

Figure 1. Upcycle inspiration

I repurposed a 2-liter Dr. Pepper bottle and transformed it into a minimalist planter that uses a fabric wick system to keep plants hydrated. Inspired by commercial designs like those from Easyplant, I created a DIY version that’s budget-friendly, sustainable, and even educational, thanks to its transparent shell that shows the water level and plant roots.

Figure 2. Upcycle self-watering planter

You can check out the full build and reflection on that project here: Self-Watering Planter

The Main Event: RailGlow

My main project, RailGlow, started with a practical problem: the lighting over my kitchen stove was poor. Instead of buying a generic fixture, I wanted to design something that solved the issue with intention and character. The result was a handcrafted lamp made of solid wood and raw steel, blending the rugged minimalist aesthetic with functional beauty.

Figure 3. RailGlow in stacked position

What makes RailGlow unique is its physical interaction. The original concept used a sliding rail mechanism that activated a momentary switch, turning the lamp on and off with a mechanical gesture. Though sourcing issues forced me to temporarily substitute a traditional inline switch, the lamp retained its core aesthetic, warm-toned hardwood, visible fasteners, and an exposed rail system that invites tactile use.

Figure 4. RailGlow when closed

What I’m proud of most is how the final piece feels: real, useful, and designed with purpose. From cutting and sanding the wood components to soldering the wiring and testing finishes, the entire build was hands-on and iterative. Even though I faced delays with parts and had to adapt on the fly, I learned how to manage real-world constraints while staying true to a design vision.

Explore the full RailGlow process, from concept to final form:
Part 1: Inspiration
Part 2: Fabrication and Process

Reflections and Takeaways

Looking back, this class gave me more than just two completed projects. It gave me a structured way to approach design challenges from multiple angles: aesthetic, functional, and ethical. It challenged me to work within constraints, to iterate quickly, and to always consider the story an object tells through its form and use.

I’m especially proud of how each project stayed grounded in personal relevance, whether designing for our plant-filled home or crafting a light that lives in our kitchen. Both projects will continue to evolve, and I look forward to refining them even further, from experimenting with new light bulbs to building more upcycled planters for other rooms.

Sources:

Figure 1: url – https://www.gardeners.com/buy/adjustable-self-watering-insert-for-pots-and-planters/8610250.html  Author: GSC