Portfolio: Cooper Kramis

This semester, I dove into two design-build projects, where I focused on the bedframe of a shuttle bus I have been recently building out. These projects pushed my creativity and ultimately transformed my shuttle bus into a living space I can be proud of. What started as a simple upcycling effort evolved into a dynamic, telescoping bed frame system. This bed was both functional and visually appealing, through its minimalist/rustic aesthetic.

The first iteration began as an upcycling project, driven by a desire to reuse what I had on hand. I scavenged old IKEA bed frame components—such as slats and support beams—and reimagined them into a new configuration that fit my shuttle bus layout. It was an experiment in constraint-based design: making the most out of limited materials, space, and time. The result wasn’t perfect, but it was sturdy and matched my desired aesthetic. Most importantly, it gave me a base to learn from and build upon.

Image 1: Finished version of the first upcycling bedframe

Inspired by the success and limitations of the first build, I moved into a second, more ambitious phase: creating a telescoping bed frame that would maximize the small footprint of my shuttle bus while maintaining the cozy and simple aesthetic I was aiming for. I designed a collapsible frame system that could slide in and out, expanding from a compressed mode during the day into a full bed at night. Underneath, I integrated built-in dressers and compartments to serve as modular storage solutions, making use of every cubic inch.

This project wasn’t just about building furniture; it was about designing for real-world constraints. Every detail—from the smooth motion of the telescoping slats to the integration of Scandinavian-inspired slat wood—had to work with precision. I sketched, prototyped, and iterated through this process, and—along the way—I gained a deeper appreciation for efficient design and the value of living simply.

Images 2 and 3: Finished version of the main project bedframe. The left photo shows the extended configuration, and the right photo shows the collapsed configuration.

What I’m most proud of is how the two bed frames represent the evolution of an idea. The first was about using what I had and proving the concept. The second was about functionality and designing for something more specific to my desires with the shuttle bus. Together, they taught me how to balance creativity with constraints and how to let a design philosophy grow alongside a technical process.

Image 4. How the space in my bus looked just a few months ago before these projects. I have come such a long way!

I have compiled all the links to my blog posts throughout the process of both projects at the end of this post. Please feel free to reference for more details on the process of each build!

Post 1: Naturalness – Aesthetics of Design

Post 2: Upcycled Bed Frame – Rustic Minimalist Aesthetic – Aesthetics of Design

Post 3: Upcycle Progress: Wooden Frame Cuts Completed – Aesthetics of Design

Post 4: Opposite Upcycle Aesthetic: Cyberpunk Maximalism – Aesthetics of Design

Post 5: Naltural/Minimalist Bedframe – Aesthetics of Design

Post 6: Continuation of Minimalist Aesthetic with More Functionality – Aesthetics of Design

Post 7: Exploring Sliding Mechanisms for Bedframe – Aesthetics of Design

Post 8: Design Preview of Sliding Bedframe – Aesthetics of Design

Post 9: Specs and Constraints for Dynamic Bed Frame – Aesthetics of Design

Post 10: Telescoping Bed Progress – Aesthetics of Design

Post 11: Final Sliding Bedframe Design – Part 1 – Aesthetics of Design

Post 12: Final Sliding Bedframe – Part 2 – Aesthetics of Design