90’s Streetstyle Snowboarding Pants – The “How”
Now that my initial sketches, pieces of fabric to cut, and dimensions are completed, I can finally start making my own snowboarding pants. As a quick refresher: I wanted to design pants that are both stylish and functional, inspired by my love for snowboarding and my passion for making clothes (thanks, Mom and Nani!).…
90’s Streetstyle Snowboarding Pants – The “What”
Why Street Style? Why Snowboarding Pants? Why Camo? My Nani took me to the thrift store when I was 14. Ever since then, I have been obsessed with upcycling and making clothes. My biggest supporter in clothes-making is my mom. She gifted me a sewing machine which allowed me to sew my own skirts, shirts,…
A Chalk Bag and Snowboarding Pants Portfolio
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…
Portfolio Sofia Fernandez 2025
This class was very interesting; the way it was taught was very similar to my regular art/studio classes. To start off, my upcycle design project was very nice because it allowed me to experiment with embroidery and patchwork, and having to choose a specific aesthetic for the design to be based on was honestly one…
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…
Record Player Stand and Vinyl Storage – Final Report Part 2
Project Timeline During my design preview, I presented the following steps with “done by” dates that would give ample time for troubleshooting and experimentation. When starting the actual process, I decided to skip redesigning the CAD model, as I figured it’d be near impossible for me to match the dimensions exactly when using hand tools.…
Portfolio – Allister James Sequeira
Over the course of this semester, I’ve explored how form, light, and perception can come together to shape compelling visual narratives. Through both the Upcycle and Main Projects, I was able to push myself creatively while applying engineering and fabrication skills in meaningful, artistic ways. Upcycle Project: CU Logo Backlit Wall Decor Inspired by school…
Post 13: Brian Ahn Portfolio
Upcycle Project: https://www.aesdes.org/2025/02/19/naturalist-hangboard-2/ Final Project: https://www.aesdes.org/2025/04/30/final-project-part-2-bamboo-lamp-creation/ This semester I had the opprotunity to create projects that both improved my ability to apply aesthetics to designs and create functional products that I use regularly. In both of my projects I used wood as the main material since it fit my “naturalist” aesthetic and was the…
Aesthetics in Design Portfolio Summary
This semester, I completed two major projects in Aesthetics in Design: an upcycle project focused on converting glass bottles into functional household items, and a final design project centered on building a portable, rugged camp table. Both projects emphasized practical problem-solving and material-focused aesthetics, and both pushed me to explore different aspects of the design…
Vintage Sports Framed Picture Report (Pt. 1)
Inspiration and Adapted Designs The inspiration for my final project, a vintage sports-themed framed picture with integrated LED backlighting, came from a blend of nostalgic sports memorabilia and modern backlit artwork. As someone who appreciates the history of sports and the artistry that goes into preserving and displaying that history, I was drawn to creating…
Weekly Progress Update: Graphic Design, Visual Detail, and Framing
This week, I made major progress in refining the graphic and visual design elements of my layered tree wall art project, specifically focusing on designing the hidden photo that will sit behind the tree silhouette. Although the fabrication phase is nearly complete, this stage has been about bringing together the emotional and visual storytelling behind…
Top 5 constraints on the lazy Susan
What are the top 5 things you want your project to look like, to feel like, to do? What are the aspects that will tell you you’ve succeeded in your project? What are you prioritizing? Next, what are the top 5 constraints you face? Time, money, skills, supplies, ideas, room to work? Which ones will…
Mix of Function and Art: James Portfolio
This portfolio showcases the two major projects I completed during the Spring 2025 semester in Aesthetics of Design: an upcycling-based artwork and a fully functional magnetic shoe display. These projects reflect my evolving ability to merge design, material craftsmanship, and technical problem-solving. Along the way, I explored new tools and techniques—from wood carving to wall…
Post 13: Portfolio
Throughout the course of this class, I have gotten the opportunity to fuse my engineering knowledge and skills with the thoughtful design of the many aesthetics that we have learned in this class. I have learned quite a bit about the different kinds of aesthetics out in the world, how they have impacted art and…
Portfolio
Here are the two projects I’ve worked on all semester: Industrial Toolbelt: Modular Storm Skirt: Reflection: This semester in class has been a journey of growth and discovery. One of the highlights was learning how to sew, a skill I had never explored before. This hands-on experience added a new layer of creativity and practicality…
Aesthetics Of Design Portfolio: Daniel Carranza Valenzuela
My experience when it came to taking this Aesthetics of design class has been a wild but satisfying journey, and yet I know that I can still make some improvements. At the start of the class, we knew that we had to make two projects, one being an upcycle project and the other being the…
Final project report part 2: storm skirt
Timeline Graphic: The idea and research process lasted all throughout march for this project, and then fabrication began and ended in April. Final photography happened in may just before the expo. The construction process was separated well enough over a few weeks but I still felt rushed by the end. Fabrication Process: One of the…
Part 2: How
My design process for the river environment project was anything but linear. It unfolded through continuous exploration, trial and error, conceptual pivots, and a steep learning curve as I navigated unfamiliar materials and techniques. Creating a slice of nature that could function as a self-contained unit proved to be challenging yet rewarding. This project demanded…
Art Deco Pendulum Final Report Part 1
Art Deco Pendulum Final Report Part 1 For my design project, I created an art deco pendulum. I think movement is really important to the Art Deco era, so something that has movement as its central component will exemplify the era well. For my entire life, I have been interested in moving things. My interests…
Camping Table Materials, Leg Work and Attachment Rethink
This week I made good progress in the fabrication phase of my camp table project. After spending the past few weeks refining the design direction, material selection, and function goals, I finally transitioned into physical progress. There’s something very nice about moving from an ideation phase into morphing something physical. Materials Gathered The first major…
Space Theme Keyboard – Final Report Part 2
Introduction This post is the complete fabrication and process behind the project. In my last post, I walked through the journey of creating a custom space-themed keyboard for my Aesthetics of Design final project. I explored the inspiration behind the aesthetic—drawing from cosmic elements like stars, nebulae, and spacecraft—and discussed the iterative design process. Timeline…
Hidden Compartment – Portfolio
My project vision was to create a fantasy-inspired hidden compartment, something subtle enough to blend into a home setting. Influenced by my lifelong love of stories like The Lord of the Rings, Dune, and The Last of Us, I wanted the artifact to reflect the theme of something magical hidden in plain sight. I imagined…
Portfolio and Final Perspectives
I used this class to deepen my understanding of design and build on the work I began in my previous graduate degree, where I explored the relationship between design and emotion. I earned my master’s in 2022, focusing on space station design and human habitation in space. Space stations have always fascinated me—they’re fully man-made…
Post 13: Aesthetics of Design Portfolio
Project 1: Chocolate Packaging – Finca Don JorgeView Full Project Post My main project centered around designing chocolate packaging for Finca Don Jorge, a vertically integrated cacao plantation in Chiapas, Mexico. Inspired by my internship at the finca, where I witnessed the full cacao-to-chocolate process, I aimed to create packaging that honored the story of…
Final Report Part 2: Chocolate Packaging Process
Timeline Graphic The following graphic documents my actual design process over the course of the semester. The process has been split into the following stages: Figure 2: Timeline Fabrication Process Phase 1: Exploration & Concept Refinement The semester began with momentum from my Upcycle project proposal: a vertically integrated chocolate brand inspired by my internship…
Final Report Part 1 – Finca Don Jorge Chocolate Packaging
Figure 1: Chocolate Packaging Render Introduction The story of chocolate is often reduced to indulgence, sweetness, or luxury. But true chocolate, dark chocolate made from carefully harvested and fermented cacao, holds much more than flavor. It holds culture, land, people, and process. For my final project, I set out to design packaging that would elevate…
Seth Dry – Portfolio
Welcome to my Portfolio! I am Seth Dry, a mechanical design engineer and student in the spring of 2025 section of aesthetics of design. Below are the links to see my two main projects for the class: Upcycle Project: Flatiron Sunrise Final Project:Â Art Nouveau Mobile
Alexander (Xander) Johnson – Portfolio
This semester in Aesthetics of Design has taught me a lot and changed my thinking about how I design. It caused me to think more about the aesthetic of something versus just focusing on the functionality that usually would do. There is a lot more to aesthetics and design than what I thought, especially with…
Post 10: Chocolate Packaging Progress
Over the past several weeks, the development of the Finca Don Jorge chocolate packaging has been progressing steadily, but a significant shift in my circumstances has required me to adapt both my timeline and fabrication approach. Due to an unexpected visa situation, I had to leave the United States and return to Mexico City. While…
Post 8: Design Preview Report
Figure 1: Cacao Pod Inpired Packaging Render Project Overview For my main project, I am designing a dynamic chocolate packaging for a dark chocolate brand developed at a vertically integrated cacao plantation in Chiapas, Mexico: Finca Don Jorge. The chocolate bar is not just a product; it is the final chapter of a story that…
Final Project Post 2: Gyroscopic Watch Winder
Here is the timeline for the project: Exploration: I performed most of my exploration at the beginning of my project. As mentioned in my previous post, I was inspired to do this project by my friend Justin and my need for a watch winder. I have been looking consistently for a watch winder that would…
storm skirt part 1
For my project, I wanted to design a piece of outdoor gear that blends function, style, and sustainability. This project was inspired by hiking and backpacking, I wanted to create something lightweight, versatile, and efficient. A piece of gear that would adapt to changing weather conditions without adding unnecessary bulk. This led me to develop…
main project aesthetics
For my main project, I’ve shifted gears from creating sustainable socks to designing a modular skirt that doubles as a tarp for the rain. This project is all about merging functionality with style, creating something that’s both practical for outdoor use and trendy enough to wear in everyday life. The aesthetic I’m going for is…
Main project plans and inspo
My personal aesthetic is a bit all over the place but definitely centers around a few key things—streetwear, 90s and early 2000s Y2K fashion, outdoorsy nature vibes, and a little hippie influence from growing up in Oregon. It’s hard to pin down, but I love combining the carefree, laid-back vibe of snowboarding with a more…
Upcycle Final Report: Pop Industrial Shelf for ITLL 3D Printing Center
Project Introduction As a student employee of the Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory for the past 3 years at CU Boulder, I sought to create a piece which would fit the aesthetic of the space, and serves a functional purpose in order to give back to the program which has given me so much. One…
Final Report 2: Bioactive Terrarium Process
Timeline: Process: Step 1: Clean glass Step 2: Wash Leca and fill in drainage layer Step 3: Substrate barrier and substrate mix Step 4: Hardscape and plant! Step 5: Practice patience Day one: freshly planted. Day 3: Not much change. Day 11: Little (and a few big) signs of growth. Day 22: Growth! And…
Design Portfolio – Abby Rindfuss
My Design Aesthetic and Design Interests Over the course of this semester, I had the opportunity to explore my personal design style through multiple mediums. One of my main inspirations is Scandinavian interior design, particularly the combination of natural, colorful, and practical elements. My first mini project for this class was a design exploration and…
Snowboard to Coat Rack – Ski Town Aesthetic
At this stage in my upcycling project, the vision has evolved significantly—but the core aesthetic inspiration remains unchanged. From the beginning, I’ve aimed to create a functional, personal piece that reflects the ski town aesthetic: an intentional blend of ruggedness, simplicity, and repurposed charm that captures the spirit of mountain life. My original concept centered…
Opposite Aesthetic: From Ski Town to Hyper-Urban Pop Art
The aesthetic of my current Upcycle project is firmly rooted in the Ski Town aesthetic, defined by rugged minimalism, natural materials, and functional charm. It captures the quiet, raw beauty of mountain life, blending upcycled elements with a strong connection to nature and place. But if I were to flip that aesthetic entirely, to explore…
Aesthetics in Design Project Portfolio
Portfolio Blog: Creative Engineering Projects Welcome to my project portfolio! This post showcases a selection of my work focused on our upcycle project and main project – showcasing sustainable design and aesthetic engineering. From upcycling 3D printer waste into functional art to designing a custom LED sign inspired by neon and pop art, each project…
Eli Skelly’s Portfolio – AesDes Spring ’25
My time in Aesthetics in Design Like much of my graduate education, you got out what you put into this class, and that brand of open-ended creativity catalyzed my growth as an artist and maker. As an ATLAS student dabbling in engineering courses on my way to earning a certificate in Mechanical Design and Product…
Mid Century Modern Nightstand Final Report Part 2 – Fabrication
Schedule First I would like to go over the schedule of creation, shown below in Figure 1 is my post creation Gantt chart. This is the actual schedule that ended up occurring, and while I would have liked to have been completely done a week earlier to properly present my oiled project to my pod,…
Opposites Alike – The Two Outcomes of Opposite Aesthetics
The Aesthetics and Design class embodies much of my current major, Environmental Design, but gives everyone a further sense of freedom than we typically have. With this in mind, my goal was to always fully encompass the aesthetics of my choosing and challenge myself in my skills, conceptually and physically. Given what felt like endless…
Material & Motion: A Semester of Aesthetic Exploration
This semester has been a transformative experience in exploring physical design and computational aesthetics. Through both my Upcycle project and Main project, I’ve pushed beyond my comfort zone to develop works that engage viewers through form, movement, and interaction. My Upcycle project began with a Mid-Century Modern vision but evolved into a Brutalist sculpture when…
Final Report Part 2 – Retro 80s Ski Boot Warmer
Timeline: The timeline above outlines the five-week process behind designing and building my retro ski boot warmer. In Week 1, I purchased all necessary materials—including a 12V PTC heater/fan, plywood, PVC, and a power converter—and began preliminary sketches to size the enclosure for portability and proper boot fit. Week 2 focused on fabrication, where I…
Aesthetics Of Design Portfolio: Max Van Cleave
“The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” is an oil painting by Rembrandt in the year 1633. When I first saw it, I couldn’t help but stare. It was incredible the way the light bounced off the sea and into the sky and the way the ship helps lead the eye to the light. Now…
Magnetic Shoe Display – Fabrication and Construction
After developing the aesthetic direction and functional goals for my magnetic shoe display, the next phase of the project focused on physically building the piece. This stage was where ideas on paper were translated into tangible form through sketching, cutting, gluing, carving, wiring, and assembly. My goal was to bring together all aspects of the…
Dual-Perspective 3D Sculpture: Final Report – Part 1
Project Overview: Dual-Perspective 3D Sculpture For my main project in Aesthetics in Design, I explored the concept of dual perspective using 3D extrusion—a visual technique that allows a single object to reveal two distinct identities depending on the angle of view. This type of illusion requires precise planning and spatial manipulation, as each perspective must…
Final Sliding Bedframe – Part 2
After some shipping delays, I finally completed the assembly of my project. I was able to get the aluminum tubing I needed just in time to manufacture in slots, and my project came together just how I envisioned it. With that, this post will describe my entire process of building out my bedframe. The goal…
From Concept to Completion: Aesthetic Fabrication Journey for my Tree Frame
Figure 1. Final Outcome Introduction The creation of my final project, the layered laser cut tree wall art piece with a hidden photo frame, was more than just a build. It was a journey of aesthetic exploration, emotional connection, trial and error, and iterative design. From the earliest sketches to the final stain and screw,…
Minimalist Spice Rack – Part 2
This project was something that I progressively worked on over the course of many weeks, starting with ideation and progressing to the creation of my final product. I am pretty happy with how this project turned out, and while it may not be the fanciest or most complex project, its something that should be functional,…
Multifunctional Quilt: the “How”
Fabrication Process Below is an image of my fabrication timeline. Compared to my original planned timeline, this one ended up getting shifted back by a couple weeks, which was anticipated. I’m glad I budgeted for more time than expected. One of my biggest takeaways from this project is that quilting is a very time consuming…
Coffee Accessory Organizer: Part 2
Fabrication Process 1. Preparing MaterialsI started by cutting the pine plywood sheet down to laser-compatible dimensions. I then uploaded the CAD files and laser-cut each component—sides, back, drawer panels, and mug dividers. 2. AssemblyOnce cut, I lightly sanded each piece before dry-fitting everything. Each individual panel was then stained with a walnut finish. I started…
Coffee Accessory Organizer: Part 1
The journey of this coffee organizer project began with inspiration from multiple design sources that shaped both its form and function. My initial aesthetic leaned toward an “urban ivy” look—a blend of industrial-modern elements and organic greenery, inspired by Seattle’s shipyards and skyline. As the project evolved, so did my visual language. I shifted toward…
Ski Bookends – Part 2
Once I decided on my idea for the project, it was time to begin the design and fabrication. The first step was to find a pair of skis. This was almost more important than the overall design because the type of ski I found would drive how I supported the bookends and how I painted…
Building a Steampunk Strandbeest: Assembly and Aesthetic Focus
Timeline of the Design Process When I started this project, my goal was to bring a popular kinetic sculpture to life by blending the famous Strandbeest mechanism with the popular aesthetic of steampunk. This creation would celebrate both motion and artistry and become a sculpture where every gear and linkage wasn’t hidden, but proudly displayed.…
Stained Glass Terrarium Final Report Pt.2
For my final project, I am focusing loosely on the reminiscence theme. Since a lot of my childhood is surrounded by stained glass, I wanted to do something with stained glass and/or have the stained glass look. I am making a glass terrarium. I want to use mixed materials like glass, and wood to make…
5 Constraints and Wants
As I move further into the design and planning phase of my coffee accessory shelf, I find it helpful to define the top priorities that will determine whether this project is a success. Having shifted from an industrial concept to a rustic-bohemian style, I now have a clearer picture of what I want this piece…
Final Project Part 2: Bamboo Lamp Creation
For my final project I created a lamp using bamboo poles to create the structural body. To actually create this, it took meticulous planning and accounting to ensure that the lamp was standing straight. Below is a timeline of the major components of my project. Preparation There were two rounds of preparation that I had…
Grandma’s Piano: A Miniature Replica – Final Report Part 2
With projects like this, it’s easy to focus most on the fabrication process, given it is time-consuming and can seem to take forever. The meaning of a piece is important. It is the reason for making the thing. However, there is art, too, in the construction and creation process. I spent the most time working…
Moon Phase Lamp Part 2: How
In my last blog post, I described in great detail what my final project is, as well as the aesthetic, Lunarpunk, which has dark, lunar related, characteristics. In this post, I will describe, in detail, my timeline for this project, how I designed this project, the different parts that I ordered, how I put them…
RailGlow: Timeline and Fabrication Process
Design Timeline Overview The RailGlow project spanned over two months, starting in early March and wrapping up in early May. While the process was generally structured, it included plenty of loops and adjustments as I moved between design, fabrication, and documentation. Below is a breakdown of each key phase and what took place during that…
Medieval Castle Fortress Final Report Part 2
Part 1 of my final report went over some of the inspirations I took, specifications I created, aesthetics I wanted to achieve, and displayed the final product. This post will be going more in depth on how I actually created the artifact, what steps were involved, design challenges that arose, and where I want to…
Almost the Look
1. Timeline: The Making of the Hexagonal Bookshelf Below is a visual timeline representing my build process, highlighting the cyclical and non-linear nature of design:  Week 1–2: Exploration & Planning Brainstorming 1970s-inspired aesthetics Sketching geometries Defining functional requirements (book storage, compact corner fit, modular potential) Week 3: CAD Design & Dimensioning Modeled in SolidWorks Solved…
Coffee Table, Final 2
After figuring out the table to build, I began mapping out the timeline to construct the project. It was planned to be completed in 4 weeks. The wood was to be bought the week 4/5, the board assembled and cut 4/5-4/9, the board sanded 4/14-4/18, edging and staining, 4/28-5/2, and the legs fully cut/assembled/sanded/stained 4/29-5/6.…
Magic Crystal Bedside Lamp
For my final project, I wanted to try and create a special bedside lamp that contains a variety of useful features making it not only aesthetically interesting but uniquely functional as well. The Problem: I currently have a small electric candle by my bedside that I use as a low level light while I”m getting…
Hex – The Final Product Pt2
In part 1 of this final report, I covered: The Intention: To make a clock representative of personal identity The Aesthetic: Art Nouveau Inspiration: The human eye/iris Modeling: Modeled in Rhino to be laser cut Materials: Acrylic + MDF In this part, I will be covering the prototyping process, final fabrication process and the…
LEGO Formula 1 Display – How it was done
To create this project, there was a ton of work that wen t into this. I had several different phases of the project. There was research, design, build, prototyping, reevaluation/problem solving, and the finished product. I started with some research for the project and then applied that to my design/planning. I did some prototyping with…
