Portfolio

This semester in Aesthetics in Design has been a fascinating exploration of combining functionality, artistic intent, and aesthetic theory. Through my two major projects, the Upcycle Project and the Main Project, I developed both my design thinking and technical skills while challenging myself to work outside my normal creative comfort zone.

Upcycle Project: Shou Sugi Ban Wall Art

Link to Full Post Here

For my upcycle project, I transformed leftover wooden bed slats into a piece of wall art by using the Japanese wood preservation technique called Shou Sugi Ban. This technique involves burning wood to achieve its particular look. I chose this method not just for its striking visual effect, but because it is tied closely to the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, which can be described as the embrace of imperfection and impermanence.

I am proud of how this project captured the aesthetic I was aiming for. The natural variation in how each slat burned and sanded brought the piece alive with organic textures. I also challenged myself artistically by painting a graphic onto the wood, combining a Japanese kanji symbol for “fire” with a stylized flame. Even the imperfections, like the visible Sharpie outlines I initially saw as mistakes, ultimately contributed to the piece’s authentic Wabi-Sabi character.

A challenge I faced during this project was taking creative steps to improve the piece’s aesthetic, such as the graphic I wanted to add. Additionally, trying new things left to some imperfections, such as the Sharpie outlines I mentioned earlier, which I ultimately learned to accept.

Despite these challenges, I was able to successfully apply Shou Sugi Ban to this project in a way that is personal and that I am proud of. I hope to have this piece of wall art for years to come, and it will likely always have a spot on my wall.

Main Project: Retro-Futuristic Robot Can Crusher

Part 1 – What: Link to Part 1 Here
Part 2 – How: Link to Part 2 Here

For my final project, I wanted to go beyond simple functionality and instead create an object that could stand as both a tool and a piece of art. The result was a wall-mounted can crusher designed in a retro-futuristic style, which is an interpretation of what people in the 1950s and 60s might have imagined robots of the future would look like.

Drawing inspiration from Forbidden Planet, The Jetsons, and 1950s industrial design, I aimed to capture the bold mechanical shapes, metallic finishes, and slightly clunky optimism of that era. I hid an electric can crusher inside a custom-designed robot head, 3D printed in sections and finished with an aluminum spray paint to mimic the classic “future-metal” look.

I faced some challenges in designing the robot face to not be too ‘cartoony’ but still capture the aesthetic that I was going for. There were also some size limitations with 3D printing, which took time and material that I did not initially account for. This also caused some integration issues with seams and the can crusher.

Despite these challenges, I was still able to produce a functioning robot that can crush cans while fitting my intended aesthetic. I learned some valuable planning skills, combining form and function without making either feel like an afterthought.