Ethernet Key Door Holder Rack Update 1
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Upcycle Project: Ethernet Key Holder Rack For my upcycle project, the Ethernet key holder rack, I have started gathering the necessary materials to fully carry out my design. Below is a conceptual sketch of two key components that work together for this project: the router itself and the keychains, which will plug into the router…
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.…
Mid-Century Modern Lamp Update 1
For my Upcycle Project, a mid-century modern lamp, I have started with sketching the lamp, and its various components to help determine the parts needed and the layout of the lamp. It also allows me to explore different shapes and layouts, and I ultimately settled on a modified barrel shape made out of wooden strips,…
Decopunk Assassin’s Teapot, Update 1
With twelve days remaining until our due date, the creation of my assassin’s teapot is progressing smoothly and steadily. While there have been some unexpected hurdles, such as sourcing materials, I have been able to adapt and move forward without major disruptions. As previously mentioned, I will be using laser-cut acrylic to parse out the…
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…
Plastic Forest Project Update
Upcycle progress For my plastic forest project, I have struggled to find areas where I can source the tree supports from without having to make my own. I have a finalized idea of how I want the model to look, featuring an ascending central location where the tallest tree will be in the middle. Also,…
Upcycling a Sleeping Bag into a Lightweight Ski Touring Jacket Update
For my upcycling project, I am transforming a sleeping bag into a lightweight ski touring jacket. I purchased an EcoPro LW210 lightweight warm-weather sleeping bag from Goodwill to maximize fabric yield at a low cost. I have already deconstructed the bag by removing the seams, separating it into two large fabric sheets—gray on one side…
Upcycled Bicycle Stool
I am currently making progress on my upcycle project, a stool made from vintage bicycle parts. I’ve acquired a vintage bicycle seat from an old tandem bicycle. It is made with tanned leather and metal springs, and currently, it’s fixed to a seat post of 1-inch diameter, which fortunately is a standardized size from…
Pixel Art 3D Print Upcycling: Progress Update on Grid Mapping & Material Gathering
I haven’t started physically building or shredding 3D prints yet, but I hope to get to that this coming weekend. As of now, I’ve gathered all the materials I should need: a picture frame, a clear acrylic sheet, and all my 3D print scraps. Soon, I’ll start sorting the prints by color to determine what…
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…
Soda Can Tab Guitar Strap – Upcycle Progress Update
This past week, I was able to source all the materials and tools I believe I will need to create my soda can tab guitar strap. The materials/tools are as follows: Soda Can Tabs – Main aesthetic material Spool of Black Nylon String – Guiding lines for first step of assembly Black Paracord – Used…
Patchwork Teddy Bear Progress
So far, for my project, I decided to reuse the teddy bear pattern I made last semester for an acromatic project. Instead of making some of the patches or pieces a different fabric along with the sashiko pattern, I will make the bear entirely out of denim. However, I will make the holes for the…
Progress Update: Strangler Fig Lampshade
As a brief overview of my project, I’m creating a lampshade that will look like a strangler fig tree. See my second post (Beauty in Death: Strangler Fig Lampshade) for more information on my inspiration for this project and initial design ideas. [2] Purchased Lamp and Shade …
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…
Upcycle Progress: Film Slide Lampshade
My upcycle project has been going well. I found an old lampshade at the thrift store, which I stripped for the frame, although it left some sticky residue that I plan to remove so it’s nice and clean, ready for jump rings and film slides. I made sure to pick a lampshade that I found…
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…
Nightclub/Rave Lantern Project Progress
For the upcoming upcycling project, I will be creating a lantern that falls under the aesthetic of a club or rave. The lantern will include old materials such as a plastic sheet, rod (PVC pipe or equivalent) or rope, disposable plastic water bottles, waterproof LED lights that are different colors, and water. Once assembled, the…
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 Progress/Process: A Witch’s Cabin
My upcycling project is “A Witch’s Cabin” diorama. After settling on a concept and drawing plans, I grabbed the cardboard box that I’d be using for the base and sketched the design inside. Initially, I wanted to turn the box on its side to decrease work, but the proportions were off. The ceiling would’ve been…
Upcycle Progress: Gathering Materials & Getting Started
Since last week, I have made some progress on my Upcycle project. I have collected all my materials, including a sewing kit, embroidery hoop, needles, yarn, and some cute pink fabric. For the items I plan to embroider, I have gathered plain tote bags, a bucket hat (which I’ve already started embroidering), and my pink…
Upcycling Progress: Naturalist Hangboard
For my upcycling project I will be creating a portable climbing hangboard out of scrap wood. A traditional hangboard features flat ledges of varying depth and is used to warmup climber’s fingers before climbing or as a way to train tendon strength. This project will not only be used for a portfolio but it also…
Post 3 Upcycling Progress: A Mosaic
For my upcycling project I’ve gathered the foundational materials that I need to complete the project and have scaled the original art piece so I can develop a sketch onto the cardboard. Some things I’m currently missing are a hot glue gun to hold the paper beads in place and a glue stick for the…
Upcycle Progress: Wooden Frame Cuts Completed
So far, the bed frame design has been going well! I have done a good amount of work this last week, and all of the materials have been officially ordered. I got 3x 6’ long 2×2 wood beam to use as the support legs. Additionally, I got a 10’ long 2×4 wood beam to use…
Upcycle Project Update: Transforming Scrap Wood Into a Cutting Board
It’s been a few weeks since I embarked on my upcycle project to turn a piece of scrap wood I found in the dumpster into a functional and stylish cutting board. While I’m not quite finished yet, I’ve made some progress and have had the opportunity to refine my design and woodworking skills along the…
Upcycled Chalk Bag Progress Update
For my upcycling project I will be making a chalk bag for climbing in the earthy neutral aesthetic. I will be upcycling some scrap fabric I already own, and acquiring more materials to implement into my upcycle. My chalk bag will also have a magnetic closure top to prevent chalk from spilling out without the…
Upcycle Project: Futuristic Beer Bottle
The Idea Imagine this, it’s the year 2800, and you have just gotten off a long day at work. Having recently receiving a promotion, you decide to go to the bar with your friends. You are on a tight budget, so you make your way to a sleazy bar on the outskirts of town. At…
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…
Frutiger Aero Tissue Box/Light
On my previous post, I talked about how for my aesthetic I wanted to try and create something both functional and with a Frutiger Aero aesthetic. This meant I needed to find things to use that had many of the elements that can be found in the design of Frutiger Aero software. This includes bright…
Upcycle Progress: New Project + Gathering Materials
Since my last post, I have decided to go a new route for my project. The other day I upgraded my PC, specifically the CPU (central processing unit) GPU (graphics processing unit) and RAM (random-access memory.) My friend who was helping me with the upgrade said, “You should take these apart and make an exploded…
Modern Bohemian Planters: Updates
I have made a decent amount of progress on my modern bohemian planter project and have collected some key materials to begin the project. I have found a few promising candidates for the planters. The first is an old coffee pot that will make for a perfect container to plant succulents. For the terrariums I…
Upcycled Abstract Art – Progress
In last weeks post, I detailed how I was going to create a topographic map of Greece and give it to my girlfriend. I drew inspiration from a previous students work, found here. The previous student was able to find a 3d model of a mountain range located in Estes Park. Since that area is…
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…
Violin Lamp Progress Update
My upcycle project is currently still in the beginning stages, but I have collected several necessary materials. The first, and most important material, is the violin itself. I was lucky enough to have been given the violin for free, but it has a few issues that I will need to fix. The main issue is…
Upcycling Progress: LeBron James Hennessy Lamp
I did not start the physical building this past week, but I did most of the preliminary work on the project. I measured the dimensions of the Hennessy bottle using calipers to ensure that I got an accurate fitting on my base and the lamp conversion. Based on the measurements, I determined that I would…
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…
Textured Ski Painting Progress
I haven’t started on my textured ski painting; however, I have gotten the materials and started planning how I want it to look. [1] Original ski sport painting on canvas There are some examples where the canvas is just pure snow and skiers. These are much more minimalist, focusing on the shape and texture of…
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…
Progress on Genshin Impact Flower Artifact
After searching for materials, I created an artifact in the Pretotyping stage using felt, pipe cleaners, Lego gears, and glue. I sourced these materials from the Idea Forge Pretotyping collection. The artifact resembles the in-game artifact flower called the Marechaussee Hunter. I did my best to replicate its appearance, but I aim to elevate the…
Upcycling Progress – License Plate Frame
My project is a wooden frame built to display old license plates that I previously mounted to my walls using sticky putty. The aesthetic that I’m trying to achieve is Rustic Americana, basically just trying to emulate western American culture while combining it with the use of old, weathered looking wood to try and evoke…
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…
Peacock Throne: Design and Build Preparation
After deciding to make a peacock throne out of tires, I began sketching my design on paper. I soon realized that this wasn’t very helpful as circles are difficult to draw with correct perspective, and the relative sizes of the tires makes a big impact on the overall look. To remedy this issue I decided…
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…
Upcycle Project Progress
I did a bit of research on what method I would like to use to create the coasters. I came across a YouTube video on someone experimenting with silicone molds.[4] His method of melting the filament can be recreated easily, so I will try and do the same. I have created a short BOM for…
Upcycle Progress: Concept and Design
As described in my previous post, I want to create a 3D printed art piece based on classical Japanese architecture. The main inspiration here is like that shown in the featured image, which is a photo from Marco Garcia of the Byodo-in Temple [1]. I have not made as much progress as I would have…
French Gothic Stained Glass Light Fixture: Update
Over the past week, I have begun collecting my materials as well as conceptualizing how my piece will fit together. For my project, I hope to upcycle old broken glass into a light fixture that mimics the effects of the stained glass windows often seen in churches. When I first began ideating on this project,…
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…
Progress on Upcycle Project: Laser-Cut Tree with the Unexpected Red Theory Aesthetic
Figure 1. AI Concept Image This week, I have made significant strides in developing my laser-cut tree sculpture, which follows the Unexpected Red Theory aesthetic. The primary focus has been refining the materials, design, and digital fabrication process. Material Collection and Planning One of the major steps I completed was sourcing scrap wood of various…
Upcycle Project Update: Chess Piece
In the past week, I did a lot of research into the feasibility of creating a rustic style chess board for my upcycle project. I ultimately came to the conclusion that the time it would take in order to make something like this to the quality that I would like to see would be too…
Upcycling an Old Lamp into a Scandinavian-Inspired Masterpiece (Hopefully) ✨
So, remember that old lamp I spotted at the old stuff place in my apartment building? The one I heroically decided to rescue? Well, I finally went downstairs and grabbed it—feeling all proud of myself—only to find out…it doesn’t work. Shocking. 🙃 Clearly, someone abandoned it for a reason. But am I letting that stop…
Metal Shrinker/Stretcher Stand Progress Update
As the focus of my Upcycle project, I decided to design and create a work stand for my sheet metal shrinker/stretcher tool that I could use in my workshop to allow me to manipulate sheet metal into complex shapes with ease. I concentrated my design around a utilitarian aesthetic in which my intent of the…
Boho Vintage Candle Set Progress
Since my last post I have gone to the thrift store and looked for glasses to make my candles in. It seemed like my manifesting worked from my last post because I found a lot of glassware that I liked! I also found some old candles there that I bought to melt down and use…
Mid-Century Brutalist Pivot
The need to pivot from a threads suspended in epoxy encasing a rock has risen. The epoxy believed to be in the artistic provisions cabinet was donated to an art program prior to the beginning of the school year. However, the repository has a considerable number of 2x2x2 in cement cubes from a former job.…
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…
Hallyu Water Bottle Holder Progress!
Since my last post I have been making steady progress towards completing my upcycling project! I have stayed true to my original vision of upcycling my old (ripped) pair of jeans into a water bottle sling that can hold my 64oz (or maybe even my 128oz) plastic water bottle. As I have only done some…
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…
Pokemon TCG Deck Box Progress Update
After sketching the initial design on the front of the Pokémon TCG deck box, I decided to start modeling the actual box within SolidWorks. I focused on making sure I had enough material to make a box. The main dimensions I went off of are the dimensions of a Pokémon card, which are 2.5″ by…
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…
Upcycle Project Tiki Torch Lamp-Progress Report
Above is the damaged tiki torch that I have opted to upcycle for this project. As you can I have already removed the fire aspect of the torch, leaving the frame, which is what I am more interested in upcycling. I still need to decide how I will add the lighting aspect to this lamp.…
Upcycle Progress: “Ski Bum” Hat
My project is to make a four point hat which reflects the “Ski Bum” culture. These hats are typically made out of soft materials so I am choosing to work with fleece. I went to the thrift store these weekend and found three different patterns (as shown above). They were all in the blanket/sheet section…
Upcycle Project Process
My Upcycle Project is a lamp that takes inspiration from the Steampunk Aesthetic. This has parts like pipes, cogs, metal wire, etc. I have collected all the material I believe I will need in this project. I have a bunch of small plastic gears that are all bronze, gold, and silver to match the color…
Post 3: Brutalist Shoe Cleaner Upcycle Progress
My upcycle project strives to create a shoe cleaner with a brutalist aesthetic. As I approached towards putting together my shoe cleaner, I have made some progress. Ultimately at this point, I am only concerned with possible alternative designs and with acquiring steel bristles to act as the shoe cleaner. A major concern I had…
Upcycling Progress: Magnetic Wooden Knife Block
For my upcycling project, I have decided to create a magnetic wooden knife block. My goal is to design a piece that seamlessly blends contemporary aesthetics with a rustic charm while ensuring that the magnets remain completely hidden from view. I want the final product to be both functional and visually appealing, making it a…
Industrial Charcuterie Board
In around October of this previous year, my roommate noticed a cast iron skillet in the bottom of the river outside our apartment. We joked about taking it out and restoring it, but never had the motivation to do it. When starting this class and hearing about this project I thought it would make for…
Nature inspired PLA pencil holder update
Currently for my project I am planning on combining the aesthetic of nature and modern by using recycled PLA. The idea is to make a pencil holder similar to that seen below The main problem I will have, as this was generated by AI. Is how to get the non-uniform aspects to show up on…
Upcycle Project Progress – Soda Can Planters
For my upcycle project I decided to make small planters out of empty soda cans. These planters will be designed with the earthcore/granola aesthetic in mind you can read my previous post if you want to see more detail on that specific aesthetic. Currently I am in the material collection stage of my project. I…
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…
Upcycle Progress: Rustic Modern Wood Mosaic
For my upcycling project, I decided to create a Rustic Modern wood mosaic wall art piece using leftover firewood that had been sitting outside for years. My second post showcases the various mosaics that inspired this project. Now, I will outline the steps I took to create this piece so far. Step 1: Cutting the…
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…
Material/Assembly Progress – Chamberlain
I have made significant progress on my Upcycle project, particularly in gathering materials and designing the adapter piece that will connect two recycled plastic bottles. My main focus has been on ensuring that all the components are accessible, sustainable, and practical for my intended design. Progress and Plans So far, I have secured one large…
Rock Climbing Aesthetic
Today I am going to be exploring the rock climber aesthetic and going into depth about its history and more specifically, what has changed in the last 50+ years to reshape this aesthetic. Rock Climbing began as a sport in the 1800s with the introduction of mountaineering. At the time, the sport was very risky…
Recycled Aluminum Spoon Post 3
My project is an upcycled aluminum camping spoon. So far I have sourced the material and started machining it. Progress is slow but steady. I believe I am on track to finish it before the deadline. First, I milled the “slot” for the scoopy part of the spoon. This was the most difficult part so…
Quilled Weather “Tile”
The Idea As a senior in college I have an entire drawer full of old assignments that I don’t have much purpose for. Both in celebration of finishing my engineering degree and desperation to clean out the cabinet I have decided to make a rolled paper craft using these old school papers in the style…
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…
Patchwork Teddy Bear
For the upcycle project, I plan to create a classic teddy bear using old fabric scraps from clothes and incorporating mending and patchwork techniques such as the Japanese mending style of sashiko. As an artist who makes toys and plushies and has a great fondness for stuffed animals, I often make silhouettes more modern, with…
Golf club headcover
As I was looking around for inspiration for my upcycle project my attention focused on my golfclubs in the corner of my room. Not only did I want to make something creative but also something I could use and not just put in a corner for the rest of my life. That being said, I…
Post Two – Reusing hockey sticks
I want to make something for my apartment, for example, a decoration or some piece of furniture. I am a hockey player and have several extra sticks around the apartment. This got me thinking I could reuse them and make a plant holder or nightstand. I do not have enough hockey sticks myself to make…
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…
Naturalism Stained Glass – Progress Update
Fabrication Progress So far I have made a decent bit of progress. I already had all of my materials which was a helpful head start with this project. It took me a while to set everything up along with cleaning off the glass which was quite dusty from sitting in boxes for almost 30 years.…
Upcycle project Tropical Aesthetic lamp.
My goal for this upcycling project is to find a new life for a broken tiki torch like the one in the featured image. I will try to capture the tropical and beach aesthetic of the tiki torch while giving it a new use more suitable for indoors perhaps. An Idea that I had would…
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…
Upcycle: 3D Printed Art Inspired by Japanese Architecture
For my upcycling project, I plan on created an art piece using FDM 3D printing. I have my own printer and want to use it more to create interesting art pieces, and this project is a great excuse to do more of this. My concept for this project is to design, print, and paint a…
Space Age Lamp
I have chosen to create a lamp in the space age aesthetic. After looking through my old materials and offcuts, I realized that I had many translucent plastic sheets. After holding these multicolored sheets up to a light, I was inspired to create a stained glass style lamp. Space Age Style Lamp Aesthetically, I…
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…
Upcycled Punk Style Soda Can Tab Guitar Strap
A major limiting factor when coming up with a project idea was finding material that I had on hand, as I tend to throw away most unnecessary/unused things. In addition to this, I had never done any DIY projects before where I used recycled materials, so my brain had a hard time even visualizing something…
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…
90’s Minimalism Fashion by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Led by designers Tom Ford, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Miuccia Prada, 90s minimalism in fashion was defined by well-tailored clothing that complemented the body, pared-down silhouettes that emphasized long, clean lines, and a restrained approach to design. The focus was on simple, well-cut garments with a reduced color palette. This era was inspired by…
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…
Old Western – Upcycle statue
For my upcycle project I want to make a statue in the aesthetic of Old Western. I want to make this statue with empty aluminum cans and possibly some wire for some framework and a lasso. This interested me because I have seen some sheet metal candle holder statues recently. However, all these decorations were…
Hallyu Water Bottle Sling
Blogilates Water Bottle Sling For my upcycling project, I want to create a water bottle sling that can be used during hikes or simply just for outings. My vision is for it to accommodate my half-gallon water bottle. I used to carry it around a lot by hand, but that could become a little inconvenient…
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…
Upcycled Bed Frame – Rustic Minimalist Aesthetic
Featured Photo: IKEA TARVA Bed (TARVA bed frame, pine/Luröy, Queen – IKEA) For my upcycling project, I will be creating a custom bed frame for the inside of a shuttle bus that I have been building out. I will be upcycling bed slats and beam components from an IKEA bed and turning them into a…
Earthy Neutral Chalk Bag
For my upcycling project, I will be repurposing some old fabric to create a chalk bag for climbing. About a year ago I bought curtains that were too long, so I hemmed off a couple feet of fabric and I’ve been saving it to find something to reuse it for. The fabric is a beige…
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…
Plastic Trees
Upcycling project plan For my upcycling project, I am interested in turning 3D printing organic ‘tree’ supports into a forest / mountain diorama. These tree supports resemble roots or branches and normally start from a central ‘trunk’ point. These tree supports are almost always thrown in the trash, contributing to plastic waste. I believe they…
Upcycling Project – License Plate Frame
For my Upcycling project I was inspired to create a better way to display my old license plates that I’ve collected from some of my old cars. Up until now I’ve only ever just plastered the plates up onto my wall using wall putty, and while I like how that looks, I think that creating…
Childhood Nostalgia- Stuffed Animals
In this upcycling project, I aim to explore the aesthetic of nostalgia and the concept of comfort through nostalgia. This idea came to me back in the pandemic when there was a huge resurgence in childhood favorites, like Avatar the Last Airbender, Pokemon, and more. In the pandemic I found myself rereading the books I…
Upcycling Project: Ball Shelf
For my upcycling project, I am going to make a ball shelf made out of repurposed wood. I got the idea of making a ball shelf from the consistent footballs, soccer balls and basketballs laying around on the floor in my house. Additionally, these balls always fall off of flat shelves and are ineffective. As…
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…