Maddie O'Brien

6 posts

Main Project Inspirations and Aesthetic

March 9, 2023

Post 6: Main Project plans and inspirations 2023

A camping set up similar to what I want to build. Source: https://truckvault.com/DIY-truck-camper I think my personal aesthetic is pretty simple, with heavy influence from nature and the outdoors. Function is another factor that heavily influences my personal aesthetic. I don’t have too many decorations and those that I do have are nature inspired. I…

Roxy Lo- A Designer I Admire

March 1, 2023

Maddie O'Brien

Post 5: What designer do you admire? 2023

One designer that I admire is Roxy Lo, the principal designer at Ibis Bicycles. She started out working for Pottery Barn before getting hired at Ibis bikes in 2005, where she became a fourth partner for the company. Lo was instrumental in designing Ibis’ first carbon fiber full suspension bike, the Mojo. I really admire…

Camping Chair- Upcycle Design Report

February 23, 2023

Maddie O'Brien

Post 4: Upcycle Design Report 2023

My first inspiration for this project came from the material itself. Since the goal of this project is to upcycle, I started by thinking about sources of waste in my life. This led me to want to base my project around bike tubes. I was also inspired by the fact that I don’t own a…

Upcycle Progress Report- camping chair

February 16, 2023

Maddie O'Brien

Post 3: Upcycle progress report 2023

Last week I had decided to make a camping chair out of bike tubes, but I hadn’t decided on a design. After pondering multiple designs, I decided to make the chair out of two pieces that will fit together instead of making a folding mechanism. I also measured a few chairs in order to come…

Upcycle Aesthetic

February 8, 2023

Maddie O'Brien

2023, Post 2: What is your Upcycling project aesthetic and why? 2023, Student Work

While looking for inspiration for this project, I started by thinking about sources of waste that I commonly come across. I’ve always been drawn to repurposing old gear, especially ski and bike gear. When I thought about the old gear I’ve collected, I realized that bike tubes are a pretty common source of waste. All…

Dirtbag Aesthetic Exploration

February 1, 2023

Maddie O'Brien

Post 1: Aesthetic Explorations 2023, Student Work

The term “dirtbag” originated in the climbing world to describe people who were so committed to climbing that they would forgo a traditional lifestyle in order to spend as much time as possible climbing, beginning in the 1960’s and 70’s. Examples of dirtbags are Yvonne Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, and The Stone Masters, a…