Post 13 – 2025 : Portfolio

Fender Mirror Design Update

For the fender mirror, I was able to find and source a material for the body to house the recycled components that would be best suited for its strength and outdoor application. ABS plastic is one of the most common plastics used today for its positive engineering characteristics, however it is not very UV stable.…

Upcycle Project Progress

I am a day late in posting this because I was taking the FE exam yesterday so that took a bit of precedent. So far since last post I have gone deeper into the design of the wall hanger, including sketching more and getting some CAD drawn up. You can see in the featured image…

Cyberpunk Stereoscope Materials

My progress this week has been largely focused on gathering materials for my cyberpunk stereoscope concept, which has unfortunately not been the most productive. Gathering upcycled materials that fit a cyberpunk aesthetic was surprisingly challenging due to the smaller proportion of used metal and electronics I found compared to other materials. All the materials I…

Upcycle Progress: Industrial Rust Artwork

Discovering Inspirational Materials for Upcycling Rusted Industrial Elements into Abstract Art Getting started with this project of upcycling rusted industrial materials into abstract art has been an engaging and continually evolving experience. What began as an experimental foray into the world of sustainability and creativity has turned into an ongoing search for unique, inspiring materials…

Ghibli Lamp Update

My project is about upcycling a lamp shade to the aesthetic of Studio Ghibli. So far, I’ve collected the material of the light source and the lamp shade. I had trouble finding a lamp shade that has wired structure. I originally wanted to implement a beaded lamp structure (Figure 1). Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to…

Shou Sugi Ban Wall Decor Progress Update

For the first week of undergoing this project, I spent most of my time preparing and planning. This involves some research into the best techniques and materials needed to produce the outcome I desire. One of the major hiccups in my design plan is deciding which stain or paint I want to use. After looking…

Upcycle Project Update

Week one of this project mainly involved preparation work. I have collected about 16 cans to work with, which I believe will be more than enough. However, I still want to find some source of wire or something similar to stand in as the lasso or the body frame. So far, I have cleaned all…

Upcycled Denim Chalk Bag Progress

Overall Project Following a vintage americana aesthetic, I will be making a chalk bag out of thrifted denim and thrifted ties. The ties will contain red, white, and/or blue in order to follow the aesthetic. Necessary Materials In order to sew a handmade, denim chalk bag I need the following items: Pattern (handmade) Thrifted Levi’s…

Space Age Lamp Update

Overall Design I have made some progress in the last week. I have settled on a spherical design, 5 inches in diameter. The lamp will sit on a pedestal, large enough to conceal the control board and power input. In order to preserve the streamlined space age aesthetic, I designed internal cavities in the main…

Artificial Nature Upcycle Project Progress Update

With the Artificial Nature aesthetic guiding my upcycle project, I’ve made solid progress in gathering materials and refining my fabrication plan. My goal remains to create a scorpion sculpture using dismantled circuit components, blending organic form with technological remnants to emphasize the idea of a synthetic ecosystem evolving from discarded electronics. While I haven’t started…

Upcycling Progress

Unfortunately, due to my Senior Design project, I have not been able to make much progress on my project. However, I have come up with an alternate design for my project. Rather than a view into the box from the side, I think having a top down view would be more interesting. I also figured…

Progress on Patchwork

I am happy to report that I am making steady progress on my Upcycle project! Over the last week, I have foraged for all of my necessary materials, including spare wood, epoxy resin, gold and copper flakes, and sawdust. Plus, I was able to borrow a few silicone bowl molds to simplify the resin casting…

Collage Cards Progress

Thus far, I’ve gathered all my materials and started making a few cards. Material Collection Many of my materials are things I already own, but I wanted to go to Art Parts to supplement. I was able to purchase some additional scrap paper, doilies, books, magazines, tags, paint swatches, cards, construction paper, and more for…

Upcycled Pointillism Progress

My “Upcycled Plastic Pointillism” project is coming along well. In last week’s post I had yet to select a reference image to create in the pointillist aesthetic, and this was the first thing I tackled for the project. The photo I have chosen to recreate is shown below: Taken by Jesse Varner. Edited by Schcambo…

Pop Art “Bucket” Bag

As mentioned in my previous post, I am making a wearable pop art item out of recycled eco-friendly fabric swatches.  At the beginning of this project, I experimented with the idea of making a headband, which led to me being drawn to the design of a bucket hat. After which, I began to gather the…

Upcycle Progress: Lighthouse

Upcycle Project Progress: Building a Lighthouse Over the past week, I’ve made significant progress on my Upcycle Project, which focuses on creating a lighthouse with a nautical aesthetic using repurposed materials. My goal is to construct a piece that captures the charm of coastal design while emphasizing sustainability by using discarded materials. Project Plans and…

Upcycle Progress

Since my initial post, my upcycling project to create a cactus planter from recycled materials has progressed significantly. The idea originated from my desire to add a succulent, especially since my room is in the basement, to my room while contributing to environmental sustainability. After deliberating between cardboard, plastic bottles, and even aluminum canning (due…

Material Prep – Upcycled Skateboard Decks

  Project video on YT shorts, < 1 min. https://youtube.com/shorts/zqCCWhxB-Lk?si=Gge8QooH7jQ3jotD For my upcycling project, I am repurposing old skateboard decks into colorful plywood for making jewelry and possibly a bowl. This project draws inspiration from Bauhaus and De Stijl aesthetics, emphasizing geometric patterns, sharp lines, and bold color contrasts. Material Collection and Prep I collected…

Upcycled Paper Beehive Progress

                        AI generated Beehive [1]For my upcycled artifact project, I am drawing inspiration from my Aesthetic Exploration on Non-Euclidean Art, which defies traditional rectangular geometry by distorting space into surreal, otherworldly perspectives. This exploration of warped and unconventional forms will seamlessly merge with Bee-core—a…

Japanese Stationery Aesthetic in Tool Design: Watchmaker’s Screwdriver Stand

Screwdriver Stand – Final Design Iteration Thus far in the project, I have gone through multiple design iterations in SolidWorks, refining the proportions to align with both the functional criteria for Japanese stationery and the aesthetic principles of Japanese minimalism. My primary focus has been on achieving the right balance of form and function, ensuring…

Parisian Jazz Lamp-Progress

My Project Aestetic:  I want to create something that follows a Parisian jazz aesthetic. The Parisian jazz style is warm and cozy, with a romantic and intimate atmosphere. Songs typically focus more on melodic beauty and almost have a flowery feeling. Typical colors are not normal jazz blue but more bright like a bright red…

Atlas Uncovering

In considering the whole realm of possibilities for turning this old atlas into a self-supporting art frame – or “bookframe” – I arrived on a design that will add structural integrity to the fragile binding so it can be enjoyed for many years to come. The bookframe process involves six key evolutions: Measuring and cutting…

Upcycled Project: 3D Printer Filament Spool Shelf

Material Choice At the Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory (ITLL) makerspace here at CU, students are able to access our 3D printers (and filament) for free!  This gives them an affordable opportunity to grow skills and bring creative visions to life – but this unlimited access makes our program churn through PLA filament spools at…

Upcycled Project: Light Academia Coffee Tray

For my upcycled project, I will create a food and coffee tray for use in a coffee shop, repurposing old books. This design aligns with the light academia aesthetic, which is often reflected in coffee shop decor. Idea Generation Principle of Design – Keep it simple yet fun. First Idea Coming up with an idea…

Post One- The Beach Buggy Aesthetic

The Beach Buggy Aesthetic is associated with a nostalgic, free-spirited vibe inspired by the laid-back beach lifestyle, dune buggies, and endless summer adventures. It’s all about sand-covered roads, sun-kissed skin, and the thrill of cruising along coastal landscapes. Some defining characteristics of beach buggy aesthetics are bright yellow, ocean blues, sandy tones, sunset colors, and…

Rattan Peacock Chair out of Tires

For the upcycling project, I am taking inspiration from the Rattan Peacock Chair aesthetic. This iconic chair has a very interesting history, which is well explained in this video by Vox. The short history is that rattan chairs became popular as ‘photography chairs’ in the late 1800s because they were lightweight, beautiful, and stayed cool…

Bauhaus & De Stijl: Upcycling with Recycled Skateboard Decks

Aesthetic Inspiration For my upcycle project, I have chosen to blend the Bauhaus and De Stijl aesthetics. This decision was largely influenced by my choice of material—old skateboard decks. The colorful, laminated layers of wood in skateboard decks create linear patterns when cut, aligning with both design movements. I plan to repurpose these decks into…

Upcycling Liquor Bottles into Industrial Vintage Drinkware

For my upcycle project, I want to transform discarded liquor bottles into a set of unique, vintage-inspired cups and pitchers. Rather than stripping away the original branding, I’m embracing the logos, embossed glass, and worn labels as part of the design. This approach aligns with the Industrial Vintage aesthetic—an aesthetic that highlights raw materials, historical…

Upcycling Project – Post 2

The fruit bowl I want to create for my upcycling project is a blend of organic fluidity and playful modernity,  incorporating unique curves, spirals, bubbly shapes, and wavy shapes to create a design that feels natural and futuristic. Inspired by multiple aesthetics like Blobjects, Memphis design, and Retro-Futurisim, the bowl will have a flowing sculptural…

Upcycling Project: Vintage Industrial Desk Organizer

Aesthetic Choice: Rustic & Natural For my Upcycling Project, I have chosen a Rustic & Natural aesthetic. This style is inspired by traditional craftsmanship and embraces the beauty of raw, organic materials. It highlights natural imperfections, earthy textures, and simplicity, creating a warm and inviting feel. The rustic aesthetic is often associated with repurposed wood,…

Transforming 3D Print Scraps into Pixel Art

My project transforms leftover 3D print scraps into colorful pixel art portraits. Over the past two years, I have been storing my PLA scraps in bins, waiting for the right opportunity to upcycle them. 3D printing often produces extra pieces, failed prints, and support structures that usually go to waste. Instead of discarding them, I…

Plastic Woven Tote Bag

I’ve always enjoyed collecting bags, and some of my favorites include a black North Face backpack, a simple black leather tote, a canvas tote, and a multicolored sequin purse. Bags are not only stylish accessories but also highly functional for everyday use. Ever since I started my collection, I’ve had my eye on Bottega Veneta…

Deco Trick (“Assassin’s”) Teapot

For my upcycle project, I will be making a dual-chamber teapot, inspired by the historic “assassin’s teapot” design, using acrylic and paint. I aim to create this teapot with a decopunk aesthetic while adhering to the project’s requirement of using discarded or otherwise unused materials. As mentioned in class, the primary goal of this project…

Cyberpunk Stereoscope

Cyberpunk Stereoscope After exploring stereograms in my aesthetic exploration last week, I decided to create a rendition of a stereoscope as my upcycle project. Stereoscopes are devices with which to view stereograms, and an example Holmes Stereoscope is depicted above [1]. There are several key components that compose a Holmes stereoscope. On the viewing side…

Upcycled Rust?

The Beauty of Rust: Exploring the Aesthetic of Rusted Industrial Materials in Art Installations When we think about art, we often picture pristine sculptures or sleek modern designs. But there’s an entirely different, raw beauty that lies in the materials we often overlook or discard. Rusted industrial materials—pieces of metal, steel, and iron that have…

Beauty in Death: Strangler Fig Lampshade

[2] Strangler Fig Growth Animation A strangler fig is a parasitic plant typically found in a dense, tropical environment. It evolved to adapt to the nutrient competitive environment by entrapping its victim with it’s ariel roots, limiting growth and stealing it’s nutrients. As the host tree dies and begins to rot away, the aerial roots…

Artificial Nature: Bringing Discarded Circuitry Alive

For my Upcycle project, I have chosen the Artificial Nature aesthetic, an aesthetic which fuses organic lifeforms with mechanical and electronic elements and creates a vision of nature that has evolved through technology. This aesthetic blurs the line between the biological and the synthetic to present a fantasy in which machines take on the form…

Cyberpunk Meets Sustainability: Upcycling to Create a Futuristic Looking Chairless Chair

For my upcycling project, I will create a cyberpunk-inspired “chairless chair” using only freely available materials. A chairless chair is an exoskeleton-like device that straps to the user’s lower body, allowing them to sit anywhere. When not in use, it remains attached to the waist, enabling free movement. The concept of a chairless chair was…

Upcycled Cacao Pod-Inspired Chocolate Packaging

The aesthetic that I will base my project on is Wabi-Sabi—a natural and minimalistic philosophy that captures the essence of what I want to communicate. For this project, I want to design packaging for a luxury chocolate brand that embodies authenticity, imperfection, and deep respect for nature. My inspiration for this project came from an…