Aesthetics of Design Portfolio – Evan McCleary

Over the course of the semester, I have pushed myself to both learn new skills and revisit old ones. This class has been the first engineering course I’ve taken where grades are based on the appearance of my project, rather than its functionality, which has been a refreshing change of pace in my final semester at university. The open-ended design prompts in this course have encouraged me to be more creative, and I am proud of the work I’ve accomplished.

Throughout the semester, the class featured two main design projects: the upcycle project and the main project, each offering a chance to explore a different aesthetic. As an engineer at heart, I couldn’t help but choose an object I wanted to create first and then determine the aesthetic it would embody.

The Upcycle Project

For the upcycle project, I transformed a sleeping bag from Goodwill into a lightweight rain jacket. For this project, I was inspired by the design of Scandinavian minimalist outdoor gear, particularly brands like Norona. Since I had limited experience in clothing creation, this project offered a valuable opportunity to expand my fabrication skills in the realm of soft goods. Prior to this, I had only made minor alterations to clothing, so this was one of the first garments I had ever fully created. Additionally, I drafted my own pattern, which, while a significant learning experience, also presented its challenges. Overall, as a beginner, I am pleased with my efforts and the final product, and I’ve gained specific takeaways that I can apply to improve future garments. Beyond the project, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed sewing, and I plan to continue exploring this skill. Moving forward, I would love to create my own gear for outdoor activities such as ski touring, mountaineering, and hiking.

Figure 1. The finished upcycled rain jacket created from a sleeping bag

Upcycle Progress Report – htps://www.aesdes.org/2025/02/06/upcycling-a-sleeping-bag-into-a-lightweight-ski-touring-jacket-update/

Upcycle Main Report – https://www.aesdes.org/2025/02/20/from-sleeping-bag-to-ski-jacket-crafting-scandinavian-minimalism/

The Main Project

For the main project, we were given the freedom to create anything, as long as it included a dynamic component or one that changed over time. Originally, I intended to create a miniature bank vault, but I quickly realized it was too complex and costly to produce. As a result, I decided to pivot and craft a wooden elephant baby rattle entirely from oak wood. This project gave me the opportunity to bring an idea I had been wanting to pursue to life while also crafting a meaningful gift. It had been a while since I last worked with wood, so it felt great to return to the medium and successfully execute a project of this nature. The design draws inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement, embracing a rejection of modernity and a return to traditional craftsmanship. The care and attention invested in creating this toy are evident in the final product.

Figure 2. The finished wooden elephant baby rattle toy.

Design Preview Report – https://www.aesdes.org/2025/03/13/miniature-bank-vault/

Top 5 Specifications, Top 5 Constraints – https://www.aesdes.org/2025/05/02/a-change-in-direction-top-priorities-and-challenges-for-my-wooden-elephant-rattle-project/

Progress Report – https://www.aesdes.org/2025/05/06/the-elephant-in-the-room-a-progress-update/

Final Report Part 1: Inspiration and Aesthetic – https://www.aesdes.org/2025/05/06/art-and-crafts-and-handmade-wooden-toy-design/

Final Report Part 2: Fabrication – https://www.aesdes.org/2025/05/07/making-a-handmade-wooden-elephant-rattle/