Portfolio

Aesthetics in Design

This course strays away from what is typically taught in engineering courses- that function is above all else in a product. Aesthetics in Design challenges ideas surrounding function vs. form, and pushses students to prioritize form, to consider the aesthetics of a design, and to truly put thought into what they want the appearance of their product to express. In such a setting, I felt as though creative freedom truly allowed students to reflect on their own interests and preferences. Although, I acknowledge that I did feel a little intimidated going into a class that relied so much on personal creativity… since I considered myself to not be the creative-type. I have since realized that it’s not all about being innately creative, but rather about being willing to try and become creative, whether that’s with inspirations from others or with practice!

Personally, I felt that this course allowed me to focus on what I wanted my product to look like without the expectation that function would be harshly criticized. Thus, I was more willing to explore new skill sets. Both of my projects required that I dive in to previously unexplored terrain, which was really valuable experience! At the same time, I got to expand my knowledge of what aesthetics are out there and design movements of the past & present. To truly practice what we were learning, we completed two projects throughout the semester- the upcycling project and the final project. I am happy with how both of my projects came out, primarily because the projects themselves demonstrate that I am constantly learning new skills and represent my interests, which made both of them personal to me. Although there are still changes I would make if I re-did these projects, I am still impressed to look at how they came out!

Upcycling Project: K-pop Fandom Fashion Sling Bag

The goal of the upcycling project was to either utilize inexpensive materials or take an old item and transform it into something new. I opted for the second option and decided to take a worn out and torn pair of jeans and create a bag out of them! I had never used a sewing machine before, which did pose to be a challenge for a project that was almost entirely dependent on my ability to sew materials together. However, with a sewing workshop and some practice, I did it! I definitely learned a lot about sewing as well- either by learning from my mistakes or recognizing what changes could have been made to improve the process.

I created a two-tone denim water bottle holder (that could also serve as just a regular sling bag). The aesthetic was a unique one I came up with from personal interests and experiences- the fashion worn by K-pop fans at concerts! I chose two-tones to reflect the “light” and “dark” tones that are common for fan fashion, with a lot of other common elements (ribbons, lace, etc.).

Water Bottle Sling

Water Bottle Holder Progress!

Final Report: Water-Bottle Sling – The Light and Dark Sides of Fandom Fashion

Final Project: Organic Minimalist Puzzle Holder

There was a lot of freedom for the final project- with the only requirement being a dynamic aspect. I decided to create a puzzle holder with drawers for puzzle-piece organization and storage. The aesthetic I chose was Organic Minimalism, as I loved the neatness and simplicity. Although similar to regular Minimalism, Organic Minimalism incorporates earthy tones alongside neutral tones, emphasizes natural light, has wood as a primary element, and prioritizes a connection to nature. I felt this aesthetic complimented my puzzle holder a lot since I could take advantage of wood being the primary material and apply the correct color palette with painting details.

I was very happy with how this project came out and even more impressed with seeing the result of trying a new skill (woodworking). This project gave me the opportunity to try creating a project in the wood shop, which was an experience filled with learning! I believe the final form also looks nice and aligns very closely with my original vision!

An Organic Minimalist Take On A Puzzle Holder – Vision

Organic Minimalist Puzzle Holder – Specs & Constraints

Progress on Puzzle Holder

Final Report: Organic Minimalist Puzzle Holder – Answering the “What”?

Final Report: Organic Minimalist Puzzle Holder – Answering the “How”?