Arden Villanueva Portfolio

This semester has been a blend of creativity, challenge, and personal growth as a designer. From repurposed glassware to custom wood fabrication, I’ve had the chance to explore how design can be both beautiful and deeply functional. This final post brings together the two cornerstone projects of my work this semester: my Upcycle Project and my Main Project. Both reflect not just the outcomes, but the process, the experimentation, and the small victories that made them possible.

Upcycle Project

My upcycle project was born out of a desire to create something sustainable, functional, and expressive. Using thrifted glassware and repurposed wax, I crafted a set of Boho Vintage candles. Each one reflects my aesthetic of warm, earthy tones, nostalgic charm, and handmade details. I learned how to mix scents, melt and pour wax safely, and use embellishments like pebbles to create beautiful light reflections. Despite running into some challenges with wax quantity and wick fragility, I’m incredibly proud of how these turned out. They don’t just light a room they create an atmosphere.

Main Project

For my main project, I designed and built a matcha stand inspired by Japandi and Minimalist Zen aesthetics. This was my first solo woodworking build—from concept sketches to a detailed SketchUp model to final assembly. The matcha station was designed with intention: every shelf, support, and surface had a purpose. I learned how to use power tools safely, make precise measurements, and pivot my design when unexpected issues came up (like cutting the wrong type of leg supports—oops). The result is a serene, sculptural piece that now lives on my countertop, turning my daily tea routine into a small ritual.

Reflection

Throughout this semester, I’ve grown more confident in my ability to bring a vision to life—from moodboards and modeling to fabrication and styling. I challenged myself to explore new materials and tools, like melting wax and using a table saw. I made mistakes. I pivoted. I glued things backwards. But I learned something from every step. What I’m most proud of isn’t just how these projects look, but it’s how they make me feel. Both pieces now live in my space, and they make me feel more at home than ever! I am very proud of my work from this class and also proud of these skills I have gained!

Skills Gained

• CAD modeling in SketchUp

• Woodshop fabrication & safety

• Candle making techniques (melting, scent mixing, wick setting)

• Aesthetic research and application (Boho Vintage, Japandi, Zen Minimalism)

• Problem solving through iteration