Portfolio

My semester in Aesthetics in design gave me the opportunity to work with my hands, and give real thought to the aesthetics of my designs. I was able to identify my personal aesthetic, work on projects with two very different aesthetics, and learn about multiple other schools of design along the way. The class’s structure provided an excellent opportunity to present and critique in formal and online settings, which is a skill I see translating very well to the workforce. Below are the two projects I worked on over the semester: an upcycle project centered around reuse of materials, an an open-ended final project.

Upcycle Project – Rustic Modern Charm Ski Rack

The goal of the upcycle project was to use cheap or free recycled materials to create an aesthetically pleasing artifact. These requirements led me to create a ski rack using recycled barn wood and an old scale head found in my great-grandfather’s barn. This artifact not only serves as a functional ski display rack, but it highlights my family’s history, and serves as a homage to my great-grandfather.

Links to Upcycle Project Posts

Post 1: Initial plans

Post 2: Progress update

Post 3: Opposite Upcycle Aesthetic

Post 4: Finished Product

Final Project – Scandinavian Modern TV Stand

For my final project, I wanted to create a piece of furniture that would both satisfy a need in my house and fit my personal aesthetic. This project featured extensive woodworking, and allowed me to iterate my design for both functional and purely aesthetic reasons. I initially planned on pursuing a more industrial-modern look, with the use of a concrete overlay, but due to complications, I decided to use a thick enamel cabinet paint.

Links to Final Project Posts

Post 1: Personal Aesthetic

Post 2: Opposite Upcycle Aesthetic

Post 3: Initial Design Plans

Post 4: Specs and Constraints

Post 4: Progress Update

Post 5: Final Report – What

Post 6: Final Report – How

Overall, I’m very happy with the artifacts I’ve produced in this class, and rediscovered the fun in problem solving when making personal projects. This course introduced me to some wildly new aesthetics, helped me to critique more effectively, and gave me tools to be more form-focused when doing design work.