Aesthetics of Design Portfolio – Anthony Papaianache

Overall, I had a great experience in aesthetics of design and am grateful for the new perspectives it allowed me to take on design.

Before this class, I was both unaware and not very caring towards how aesthetics play a role in design.

I am happy I entirely changed my perspective and learned about the significance to aesthetics in design and in engineering practices. It is definite to make something with intentions of working, but there are greater factors. How will a product fit in it’s intended environment? How will people’s cultural backgrounds, practices and general opinions reflect their likeliness to utilize or buy a product? These are necessary questions any engineer should ask themselves before embarking on a project.

For my upcycle project, I built a portable shoe cleaner with a brutalist aesthetic. I am proud of this project as it was completely free of cost and served great function as well as fitting in great in any outdoor environment. The bristles and angles created by the brutalist design allowed for great function and increased ergonomics when an individual utilizes it. Additionally, the monochrome design derived from the brutalist aesthetic as well as the steel make it durable and fitting in an outdoor environment adjacent to indoors, where you are most intended to clean your shoes.

Links:

Brutalist Shoe Cleaner – Upcycle Project Report

For my final project, I was able to create a meaningful useful project just in time for summer and am happy I had the class work to motivate me to embark on it in time. My Portable AC unit provides cool air in any warm environment and with it’s modern aesthetic, it fits well in most indoor environments. Additionally, utilizing white and a compact cooler allowed it to fit in best in my bedroom while still providing significant airflow.

Links:

Design Review – Portable AC Unit in Modern Aesthetic

Portable AC Part 1- The “What”

Portable AC Part 2: The “how”

Some of the greatest challenges in this course included embarking on my intended aesthetic on my final project. Specifically, painting.

First I ran out of paint, whatever. Then when I really got to painting, rain was disruptive.

April showers usually lead to May flowers, however, for me it lead to devastating my cooler when it was left to dry on multiple occasions.

Additionally, further aesthetic influences to my project were difficult for me to decide on. I will most likely continue to upgrade the projects aesthetics as time goes on to ensure it continues to fit great in it’s intended environment.

Truthfully, my favorite part of the class was witnessing and working with fellow students and seeing what they have created. It was astonishing to see what my peers creativity could lead to and am happy to keep up with it throughout the semester.