Post 9 – 2025 : Top 5 specifications, top 5 constraints

While working on my road bike, I’ve learned alot about how complex a personal project like this can be. I’ve through most of the steps I layed down for myself, research and ordering, then on to some minor assembly, And I am astonished by how little I actually know about bikes or designing anything this…

As I move forward with prototyping my camp table, it’s important to identify the key specifications and constraints guiding the design. These factors ensure that the final product isn’t just a creative exercise, but a practical, usable tool that aligns with my goals. Below are the five most important specifications I’m designing around, followed by…

For my project, I’m building a self-contained mini river environment that captures a slice of nature, but indoors. I’ve always been drawn to flowing water and riverbank ecosystems, so this is my attempt to bring that experience into my personal space. I want this piece to look like I literally cut out a section of…

For my project, the top 5 things I want to achieve are: Polished and Wearable – I want my project to look sleek, like something you’d wear on the mountain, but also out and about. Sleek, Clean Design with Nature-Inspired Colors – A balance of style and functionality, with earthy tones that blend well in…

What’s my project again? The Cozy Cabin Perk-a-Cola Bottle Display is more than just a shelf—it’s a nostalgic, interactive homage to Call of Duty: Zombies built with a handcrafted aesthetic and a dash of engineering ingenuity. At its core, this project is about transforming a simple display into an immersive experience. Drawing inspiration from the…

For my final project I’m planning on creating a wooden display stand that’s shaped like a staircase, very similar to some designs for Lego minifigure display stands that I’ve seen online. For the function of the design, I want to try and implement a hidden drawer under the hollow portion of the stair steps. I…

As mentioned in previous posts, my project is a pneumatically powered chin guard that propels the leg into a Muay Thai styled kick. The aesthetic followed will be cyberpunk and the device will be composed of a variety of martial arts equipment and pneumatic instruments. Throughout this class we have been taught the importance of…

Between my initial design preview and the current stage of development, I’ve taken a significant turn in my final design project. Originally, I intended to build a miniature bank safe, complete with a working gear mechanism. However, after thorough research and prototyping, the vision proved to be impractical—especially due to the high cost of components.…

For my dual-perspective sculpture, I want it to look clean, sharp, and deliberate—where every edge and extrusion feels purposeful. I want it to feel intriguing and slightly mysterious, inviting viewers to walk around it and discover the transformation. A successful sculpture will do the visual switch clearly and surprisingly, showing two distinct images or forms…

  The envisioned fountain embodies brutalist principles through its stark simplicity and rejection of ornamentation. The primary form, a pyramid-like structure composed of two unadorned “fins,” emphasizes pure geometry and the inherent qualities of the chosen material, which is concrete. This deliberate lack of embellishment allows the fundamental shape and the dynamic element of water…

Top 5 Goals My project is a futuristic mask floating on a magnetic levitator themed after my boyfriend’s favorite anime. This project is fun, ambitious, and I have a lot of ideas, however there is limited time. Between finals, capstone, and other project deadlines the bandwidth of college students at this time of year is…

I have chosen to forgo the provided prompt this week on the top five specifications and top five constraints for a more general progress update, as time is undeniably my largest constraint this semester. However, I have successfully designed and laser cut my initial test for the tunnel book panes. Layout sketch for the test…

When I imagine the final form of my Adirondack ski chair project, there are five qualities I hope to achieve. First, I want the chair to look striking, visually. I hope for a fusion of vintage ski aesthetics and rustic outdoor furniture. I aim for the graphics and curves of the old skis to tell…

For my project, I am creating a minimalist style spice rack, that I hope to be able to use in my kitchen as I venture out into the real world. The first real specification for my project is that the rack allows easy access to spices. I will be accomplishing this in a couple of…

Top 5 specifications, top 5 constraints Goals Visually Striking Balance – I want my cyber netcore pieces to achieve a perfect visual tension between chaos and order, where the technological components create immediate visual interest while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Success means people’s first reaction is “wow” rather than confusion. Actually Wearable – Despite using…

I thought a lot about the emotions I wanted my project to express and how I am going to show that visually. While doing so I came up with 5 ways to do so as well as the constraints I have that I will tackle while trying to achieve what I want. TOP 5 THINGS:…

Top 5 Goals for the Project: Visually Capture the Early Virtual Aesthetic:The most important visual aspect of the project is accurately recreating the early 2000s video game aesthetic, specifically referencing Lego Star Wars and other PS2-era games. This includes low-poly character design, pixelation, exaggerated lighting, and bright, artificial color schemes. If the final piece immediately…

Top 5 Specifications: Portability: When originally thinking of the idea for my main project, I thought of where and when I would like to use the boot warmer. I decided I’d potentially use the device in the car, at mountain houses (Airbnb/friends), and at my home. Since I may be taking the device in the car,…

Introduction As I finish my design and begin construction of my final project, I have modified my original design in many ways. Because of this, I have come up with a list of specifications and difficulties I have or expect to have. Goals/Specifications One of my biggest motivations for this project is to enhance the…

For my car camping buildout project to be a success, I want it to achieve five key objectives: functionality as a bed, functionality as storage, retractability, an inexpensive design, and for the stain I use to match my aesthetic. 1.) This build-out is supposed to be able to be used as a bed so that a…

For my project I feel that most of my specifications fall into the functional category, as well as my restraints. Below are the specifications I hope to hit to ensure my project is both functional and fitting of my aesthetic, as well as some constraints that have informed or will continue to inform my design…

The main focus of my project is functionality. So, the top 5 specifications are based on how practical it is. The first specification is the ability to spin and wind the watch. My project aims to wind my automatic watch so it does not run out of power while I wear it. If it does…

I want my project to blend into its surroundings, appearing as just an art piece rather than a functional object. The physical look of the hobbit door design should be detailed yet minimalist, ensuring it remains visually appealing while not drawing unnecessary attention. Beyond its appearance, the feel and experience of interacting with the compartment…

Top 5 Specifications 1: Must look rustic. Maybe like it was designed in the early 20th century. 2: Must appear to be a heavily used piece of equipment. I could do this by adding dents to the exposed pipes. 3: Must have a working pump to generate the flowing water as my moving aspect. 4:…

As a reminder of what I happen to be doing for my main project, I happen to be making a minimal aesthetic low profile microphone boom arm that is meant to be mounted to my table. I will be making model of it in SOLIDWORKS and then print a working model in the ITLL using…

When designing and building my shoe display, there were a few things that I wanted it to have that helped dictate my design and material selection. 1. Cohesive One of my primary goals for the shoe display was to maintain a cohesive, seamless visual presence — as if carved from a single, uninterrupted wood block.…

The top specifications that I want my project to have are the following: I would like the project to achieve an aesthetic somewhat adjacent to Scandinavian modern. Because this is hard to define, I would like to separate this into two more specific goals:                 a. The concrete…

My project is a Matcha Stand that I am making out of wood. I’ve been thinking a lot about what success looks like for me, and how I am going to get there. One of the most important things I want is for the design to feel intentional. I want each object on the stand…

For this project, there end product is relatively straight-forward in my mind, with little room for it to come out wrong or poorly constructed, given its nature as a mainly 3D printed piece. As a reminder, my project is taking inspiration from images like the featured image from AVA Bitter (1), or the below image…

  Top 5 Things I Want the Chocolate Packaging to Look Like, Feel Like, and Do When it comes to designing chocolate packaging, I want to create something that goes far beyond just wrapping a bar. I want it to tell a story, to feel meaningful, to stand out and most importantly, to feel worth…

An Introduction When making your own pants, and with any project, it is important to consider the specifications and constraints of your design. In regard to sewing snowboarding pants, there are many aspects that will allow in my pants fitting well and being successful along with many aspects that may contribute to my downfall. 5…

For my project I am making a lamp that’s body is made of bamboo. The base will be made out of wood but the body that holds the lightbulb, lampshade, and wiring will be made of bamboo. I bought bamboo and did not do too much planning before ordering and buying my materials and it…

Lets explore the innovative technique of hydro-dipping, a unique way to add stunning designs to your mechanical keyboard. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast, a creative professional, or simply someone who loves unique gadgets, hydro-dipped keyboards offer an exciting way to express your individuality while ensuring all the functionality and durability you need. Let’s dive into…

Before I even started this project, I knew I would run into issues and unanticipated roadblocks, so I feel okay admitting that there are some things my project will not accomplish. However, there are still some things I am determined to make work. Here are my top five specifications and top five constraints for my…

As I move forward with creating my retro-futuristic robot head, I have a clear vision of what I want the project to achieve, both functionally and aesthetically. The goals I’ve set will guide the process and give me a benchmark to measure success. Goals: Aesthetic Consistency: The robot head must embody the spirit of retro-futurism,…

Top 5 Specifications Mystical Aesthetic with Intricate DetailsThe Eye of Agamotto must have an ancient, arcane look that aligns with its depiction in Doctor Strange. To achieve this, I will focus on detailed engravings, layered textures, and a metallic finish. The outer casing should appear weathered, as if it has been passed down through generations…

As my main project for this class, I’m working on converting a 1907 Waltham Grade 165 pocket watch movement into a functioning wristwatch. The process has been challenging but rewarding, and at this point, I’ve been thinking more critically about what exactly I want this final piece to look like, feel like, and do, and…

Specifications and Constraints The goal of my project is to produce an artifact inspired by yard art and the jagged, rusted aesthetic like the “Diesel Punk” like what can be found in the Mad Max movies. Counterintuitively, I plan to cast this aesthetic onto a sort of jagged tree which will serve as a bird…

For my project, I am working on making a stained glass terrarium. I am going to corporate the following elements, wood, glass, hinges, and glass paint. Top 5 Specifications I want my terrarium’s aesthetic to take first priority. I think the look of it is what I want to focus on is most most valuable…

5 Goals for My Project While I am trying to complete my project for a vintage sports framed picture, I have a clear vision of what I want it to look like, feel like, and do. The five aspects, or goals, that I want to achieve to determine if the project is successful are outlined…

A quick overview of my project – I am making an art nouveau inspired clock based around the philosophies of natural systems and organic forms/structures.  The primary design is shown below: In this post, I will be discussing the top 5 specifications and top 5 constraints of this project. Specifications: 1. Concept Depiction – Time…

For my main project I will be making a C-shape end table for my couch with a folding leaf extension. I am going for a rustic cottage core aesthetic for this table that will feature exposed wood, warm colors, and painted flower detailing.  inspiration (Pottery Barn Allen Rectangular Extending C-Table) rustic cottagecore aesthetic (The Women…

As I get deeper into the build process for my vintage-inspired clapperboard, I’ve been thinking a lot about what success looks like for this project—not just in terms of function, but in capturing the specific aesthetic and emotional tone I’m aiming for. Here are the five most important goals I’ve set for this project, in…

For my design project, I decided to build a set of front suspension uprights for my 1965 Ford Mustang race car. The suspension uprights are an assembly that interfaces the wheel hubs, brakes, and control arms to allow the load transfer from the wheels to the suspension of the vehicle. For this project, I decided…

As I continue my design for my rustic Catan board game, a lot of specifications come to mind in terms of look and feel. Here’s a list of my top five goals/specifications for this project, in order of priority: Functionality of the Game: While the look of the board matters a ton, the most important…

My project is an entry table that blends mid-century modern design with a modern twist, featuring rounded corners, kerf-cut edges, and inset shelving. Built from layered plywood with leather and rod accents, the piece is designed to evolve visually through the objects placed on it. Fabrication will take place in the BTU Lab/woodshop using materials…

I’m  making a multifunctional  quilt that can be used indoors as a comfy blanket, or outdoors as a picnic blanket. This quilt will have detachable components that help it transition from indoors to outdoors. My previous posts on this design describe my desired aesthetic and project plans.                …

Project Objectives Flat FoldabilityFlat Foldable Pattern [1] The chair must collapse completely flat for efficient storage in my compact studio space. This transformability is essential for maximizing functionality in small living environments, allowing the piece to be neatly tucked away when not in use. Minimalist Aesthetic The design will embrace simplicity, emphasizing clean lines and…

The process in designing and building my own watch has been complicated, but is progressing.  All of the necessary materials and components have been ordered and will arrive within the week. I’m not stressed for time since all I will have to do is paint and assemble, so as long as the parts arrive when…

As this is a type of project I have never done before, I have several specifications and constraints that I would like. As I am making a type of custom controller (a hitbox), I want it to be designed for my preferences and what I want in a controller. Specifications: Sized to my hand: I…

The top five things I want my project to do are: I want my bookends to actually be able to hold up heavy books and be functional on my bookshelf. I want this to happen without having to use it in unison with my current bookends. I want this project to fit on my bookshelf…

The Space Cowboy lamp is shaping up well. I am still in the prototyping / design phase, but have a clearer idea of how it is likely going to end up looking. I believe the illustration below is most likely what it will look like in its final construction. Space cowboy lamp final sketch  …

For my main project, I will be creating a mountain shelf with a drawer. After my initial design stage, I have come up with my top 5 specifications and top 5 constraints that I will go over below. Top 5 Specifications Achieves the Rustic Modern Aesthetic Figure 1: Previous mountain shelf I made with the…

My goal for this project is to create a functional and inviting water filter for me and my housemates to filter municipal tap water before consumption. In order to meet this goal, I would like my water filter to meet the following 5 specifications: Easy to dispense water from: Generally, the device should be intuitive…

  My cooler has undergone great progress over my spring break, and it is fully functional yet has room for me to improve its function as well as further explore it’s aesthetical approach. Starting with constraints, there are a few things that I am constrained with. Lets list them first: Aesthetic Approach Insulation / large…

Specifications: What are the top 5 things you want your project to look like, to feel like, to do?? I want my project to successfully give off organic minimalism vibes (simple, neat, elegant, etc.). Hopefully people can look at it and recognize the aesthetic I am aiming for without me having to specify it. I…

Specifications: As I move closer to completing RailGlow, I’ve started thinking more about what success really looks like for this project. At its core, this lamp is meant to solve a problem in our kitchen where the lighting over the stove is poor. But beyond that, I want it to feel like something that was…

I plan on making a jewelry box in the shape of a Galician Horreo. Galicia is a region in the northwest of Spain where they speak there own language, and live in a really humid, wet climate, closer to say Scotland than Andalusia. Figure 1: Galician Horreo I will take this overall shape and try…

The top 5 things that I want my project to look like are natural, professional, clean, seamless, as well as handcrafted. The natural look will come from the wood itself and the finish will look professionally done.  The finish will include the river in the middle which will be a metallic charcoal grey as well…

For my main project, I will be creating a planted terrarium with a self-sustaining ecosystem intended for two chameleon geckos (Eurydactylodes Agricolae). These terrariums, called bioactive terrariums, at their foundation consist of a substrate mix, live plants, insects such as springtails and isopods, and the inhabitant of the terrarium. The insects, colloquially known as the…

For my main project, I plan to make a mid-century modern furniture inspired floor lamp. I will glass blocks and diffused LED strips as the primary lighting element, and the frame will be manufactured using finished wood. The overall height of the lamp will be ~3.5 feet tall, and be powered by a wall plug.…

Requirements (or specifications) set the goal, and constraints set the course we need to navigate through. Many, fortunately, have gone before me in guitar making and offer a wealth of direction and advice online. All the same, the specifics of an original design may be themselves unique – both to the designer and to the…