A Thanks to This Semester
This semester in Aesthetics in Design has been both rewarding and eye-opening, personally and professionally. I didn’t just learn about aesthetics I made them. From creating blog posts to designing and sewing my own projects, this course pushed me to think critically about design choices, cultural influences, and my personal style. It also gave me the space to explore something I’ve loved for a long time: making clothes.
I walked away from this class with more than just two finished projects. I gained a new appreciation for how design principles shape the way we interact with everyday objects. And honestly, I love using something and being able to say “I made it”.
Upcycled Project
Beginning the semester with an upcycled project, I was able to thrift clothes and make something I can use every time I climb – a chalk bag.
I went to the thrift store and found a pair of old Levi’s and a flannel. I combined those with leftover string, clamps, and rope to craft a chalk bag that didn’t just work. The aesthetic I leaned into was vintage Americana: rugged, practical, and a little nostalgic. The Levi’s denim gave it that classic, durable feel, while the flannel added texture and warmth.
This project reminded me how fun it is to work within limitations. Upcycling means adapting your design based on the materials you have. It taught me how to look at old objects and imagine what they could become.
Working with thrifted fabric can be unpredictable. Denim is thick, so my machine was struggling at times. However, I was proud to finish this project with a functional product I can take with me every time I climb.
My main takeaway was that sustainability doesn’t have to feel like a compromise. It can make a project more creative and meaningful. Plus, now I have a chalk bag that nobody else at the climbing gym has!
The Final Project: Upcycled Snowboarding Pants
If the upcycled chalk bag was the appetizer, these pants were the main course. This was the project I was most excited about from day one: camo snowboarding pants inspired by 90s streetwear aesthetics.
I started snowboarding as a kid, hated it, and didn’t really fall in love with the sport until high school. Fast forward to now, I spend a lot of time on the mountain, and I’ve noticed something: snowboarding fashion is a whole aesthetic in itself. Baggy pants are just what I needed once I started feeling comfortable with my skill level.
I designed the pants with three goals in mind: functionality, comfort, and aesthetic.
This project challenged me more than I expected. Drafting patterns from scratch, troubleshooting machine problems, and keeping my patience through multiple bobbin mishaps taught me resilience. Seeing the final product, pants I can actually wear on the slopes, made all the late nights worth it.
I learned how to manage a long-term creative project from start to finish. Sketching, planning, sewing, and adjusting on the fly—all while thinking about aesthetic choices—felt like juggling, but I got better with every step.
My favorite part was the pockets. I made them extra-large because tiny pockets on snowboarding pants are the worst. It’s such a small detail, but it made the pants feel truly custom.
My main takeaway is big projects don’t have to be intimidating if you break them down into steps. I started with sketches and a timeline, and slowly, those ideas became real pants. The aesthetic choices mattered just as much as the technical ones, The way they looked was just as important to me as how they functioned.
Reflecting
Looking back, this class wasn’t just about sewing or aesthetics, but it was about creative problem-solving. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and in return, I built something tangible that reflects who I am.
I learned that aesthetics isn’t just about how something looks; they influence how we feel and interact with products. My chalk bag feels like an extension of my climbing style. My snowboarding pants make me feel confident and unique on the mountain. I am very grateful for this opportunity to learn how aesthetics take part in every consumer product and can be seen everywhere.
