Post 13: Portfolio – Spring 2025

Welcome to My Aesthetics of Design Portfolio

This post serves as the landing page for all the work I completed during Spring 2025 in the Aesthetics of Design course at CU Boulder. More than just a class, this experience was a journey in learning how to design with meaning—how to bring together form, material, story, and aesthetic values in every artifact we created. Through hands-on fabrication and deep reflection, I explored what it means to truly make something that feels intentional and alive.

From the moment I joined this course, I felt like I was given permission to be both analytical and imaginative. I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and film, but this class pushed me to translate those passions into physical design—objects that hold meaning not only because of what they do, but because of how they look, feel, and connect to culture. This class gave me a new way to interpret the world around me. Suddenly, everything I encountered—from a lamp in a café to the buttons on a coat—became a study in aesthetic decision-making. Why was this made this way? Who was it made for? What story does it tell?

Main Project: Eye of Agamotto

For my main project, I recreated the Eye of Agamotto, the mystical artifact worn by Doctor Strange in the Marvel universe. This wasn’t just a fan prop—it became a wearable piece of narrative design. I started with a 3D-printed model from Thingiverse and made aesthetic decisions every step of the way. Instead of going with my original plan of a metallic brass finish and LED integration, I opted to leave the surface in its raw black PLA form. I lightly sanded it to remove imperfections and enhance the matte texture, which surprisingly gave it an ancient, mysterious feel that I loved.

The model came with a built-in rotating shell mechanism, which allowed the Eye to open and close—just like in the films. This small detail added so much character and interactivity to the piece. I attached a green string with superglue, making it wearable as a talisman. The green tied in visually with the Time Stone, even without the LED.

This project taught me that aesthetics are not about adding more—they’re about making intentional, aligned choices that support your concept. Even without advanced features, the Eye felt complete, meaningful, and true to my vision. I found joy in the simplicity of the build and the sense of identity that came with customizing something from pop culture to reflect my own creative voice.

• Final Report Part 1: Concept, Aesthetic, and Planning : https://www.aesdes.org/2025/04/23/final-report-part-1-eye-of-agamotto/

• Final Report Part 2: Fabrication and Reflection : https://www.aesdes.org/2025/04/30/final-report-part-2-eye-of-agamotto-the-making-process/

 

Upcycle Project: Rustic Desk Organizer

My Upcycle Project challenged me to take discarded materials and turn them into something useful, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing. I created a Rustic Desk Organizer using reclaimed wood, tin cans, and natural twine—all sourced from household leftovers. Inspired by the zero-waste movement and rustic handmade styles, I built an organizer that feels warm, natural, and functional.

Each material was thoughtfully chosen: the wood was sanded but left raw to preserve its grain and aged character, the cans were cleaned and glued down carefully, and twine was wrapped to enhance the texture and hold everything together. There were hiccups—the glue wasn’t strong enough at first, and the twine took some problem-solving to keep even—but in the end, I created a piece that now sits proudly on my desk.

This project reminded me that even basic materials have stories and possibilities. With enough intention, scrap can become sculpture. In an age of overconsumption, I loved the challenge of making something beautiful without buying anything new. It was satisfying to see how reclaimed elements, when treated with care, can become design statements.

• Rustic Desk Organizer: Upcycling for a Sustainable Workspace: https://www.aesdes.org/2025/02/19/rustic-desk-organizer-upcycling-for-a-sustainable-workspace/

What I’m Proud Of

• I made work that reflected me—not just what I could build, but what I care about.
• I let go of perfectionism and embraced flaws and improvisation as part of the process.
• I created something interactive and wearable (the Eye) that I genuinely love.
• I made sustainable design choices in my Upcycle project and found beauty in reuse.
• I challenged myself to think differently about aesthetics—not as decoration, but as the core of intentional design.

What I Loved About This Class

Aesthetics of Design was one of the most freeing and creatively challenging classes I’ve taken at CU Boulder. It pushed me to think deeply about why things look the way they do—not just in art, but in product design, architecture, fashion, and even storytelling.

Every lecture and project encouraged me to engage with materials differently, to see the potential in everything from scrap wood to science fiction references. The feedback process was also incredibly helpful—I loved hearing how classmates interpreted my choices, and it made me more confident in how I present my work.

Most of all, I appreciated that this course let us be playful. There was no single right answer—only better questions, clearer concepts, and stronger aesthetic thinking. It was a space where creative risk was rewarded, and where even the smallest design detail could spark meaningful discussion. The creative freedom combined with thoughtful critique made every project feel more exciting and personal.

Challenges I Faced

• Material limitations: I didn’t have access to ideal tools or finishes, so I adapted and made aesthetic decisions that worked with what I had.
• Function vs. Aesthetic: I had to walk a line between making things that looked cool and worked well.
• Time Management: Like many students, I was juggling a lot. This class required me to manage scope and work consistently, especially near deadlines.
• Letting go of original plans: For the Eye, I imagined a high-gloss metallic finish and glowing light. But embracing the raw, unpainted black PLA helped me realize that sometimes a pivot leads to a better result.

Other Work & Future Directions

This class has inspired me to pursue more projects in wearable tech, prop design, and physical storytelling. I’m currently building my portfolio around filmmaking, VFX, and creative technology—and everything I learned here will feed directly into those efforts. Whether it’s designing magical artifacts or upcycled art, I’m excited to keep making.

Design, to me, isn’t just about making something look good—it’s about making it feel like it belongs in a world, a story, a context. That mindset will follow me through future projects. I plan to explore more interactive designs with embedded electronics, experiment with new materials, and keep challenging myself to combine form and function with narrative.

If you’re interested in seeing more of my work, feel free to connect!

Thanks for following along this semester! It’s been a rewarding journey to create tangible artifacts that reflect both imagination and craftsmanship.

This class reminded me why I love to make things—and why design is as much about meaning as it is about material.

— Andrew Perper
Spring 2025 – CU Boulder

Citations: (1) 3D Model:  https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4685294
(2) DIY Upcycled Tin Can Organizer, Yesterday on Tuesday, 2015, https://yesterdayontuesday.com/2015/07/diy-upcycled-desk-organizer/
(3) Marvel Studios, Doctor Strange, 2016