Welcome to the Aesthetics of Design Website. This site displays student work in the Aesthetics of Design class at CU Boulder. This site serves as an archive for current and past student projects, and for current students to develop their portfolio and documenting skills. It is also an Open Educational Resource, for anybody interested in how to make these projects, and for educators who might like to teach a course like this: all lecture notes and videos are available, as well as syllabus, schedule assignments etc..
This year’s tenth post, where students present their progress for the main project.
Spice Rack Design Update
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While we are getting close to the deadline for this project, I have made some good progress in the construction of my minimalist spice rack. In a perfect world, I would have been at this point much earlier in this process, but unfortunately life happens until this past weekend, I was not able to spend…
Post 10: Space Cowboy CAD Progress
The progress that I’ve made thus far mostly consists of the CAD modeling and material sourcing. So far, this is the CAD model that I have running. My CAD design for the Space Cowboy Lamp I still need to source an IKEA Molnart light bulb to make more accurate measurements for the bulb. For now,…
Progress Report
This blog is going to be a brief update on the progress of my final project. So far, progress has not been on schedule, but it will still be done with plenty of time to spare. I have been really busy the past few weeks with exams and final projects in other classes, but next…
Vintage Sports Framed Picture Progress
As I am continuing to develop a final product for my project, I am excited to share the progress I have made thus far on my vintage sports-themed framed picture with user-controlled LED lights. This stage of the process has been both rewarding and insightful, giving me a solid feel for how the final product…
Progress: Portable AC Unit
For my final project, I have made great strides in completing my portable AC unit. This unit derives from creating a heat exchanger utilizing airflow into a ice filled cooler. Other than the aesthetic side of things, which I am currently further exploring options, the unit has made great progress and is fully operational. Since…
Progress on Puzzle Holder
I have made some good progress with my puzzle holder as of now- but definitely still trying to just get the basics done before I can start decorating it and trying to better apply my aesthetic. As of today, I have successfully: Obtained all of the necessary materials (except for paint)… I am using scrap…
Clapperboard Project – Progress Report
Overview The goal of this project is to create a vintage-inspired clapperboard that blends classic Hollywood aesthetics with functional craftsmanship. The focus remains on creating a piece that feels aged, handmade, and authentic—something that looks like it’s been passed around on old film sets. What’s Done So Far Materials Sourced: I’ve purchased the wood, hinges,…
Project Progress Update – This Week
This week, my main focus has been on gathering materials and preparing for the next phase of construction. Over the weekend, I created a detailed bill of materials by cross-referencing my CAD model with available stock on the Home Depot website. Based on this, I selected a 1″x4″x8′ common board for the frame and a…
Vertical PC Dock: Progress
Over the last two weeks I have made quite a lot of progress on my vertical PC stand. I was able to source all my materials before the break, and I have spent most of the time iterating my design and making changes on the CAD model. When initially going to the woodshop, I noticed…
Rustic Cottagecore End Table Progress
My final project is a c-shaped end table in the rustic cottage aesthetic. The general shape has been inspired by existing end table designs. I have determined the dimensions of the table based on my couch. I wish for the table to push in and fit flush with my couch. I have chosen…
Hitbox Progress
As of now, I have begun further stages of my project. Earlier this week, I finally got the plates for my controller laser cut. (Figure 1): Laser cut plate The buttons I have ordered fit perfectly in the holes made on this plate, which is a relief. Three of these plates were made, one which…
Terrarium Update
Throughout the past few weeks of working on my terrarium, I am still in the process of figuring out how I want to cut my wood. So far, I have made a 3D model of how I want to structure my model: Figure 1: Terrarium Perspective 1 and 2 At first I had the idea…
Indoor-Outdoor Quilt Progress
My quilt is coming along smoothly. It is definitely taking more time than expected, and it is tedious to cut each shape and sew each individual piece together, however, I have gotten most of the grunt work out of the way. I’m loving seeing how it’s all coming together and I’m excited to continue working.…
Post 10: Project Progress
For my project I am creating a lamp made of wood and dried bamboo. The bamboo is used to create a circular body for the lamp. The materials are part of my desired naturalism aesthetic. By using naturally found materials, I felt a natural earthy feel with woody colors, browns, and beiges would naturally present…
Telescoping Bed Progress
I have not been able to make too much progress on the bed frame because of shipping issues. The sliding blocks I ordered came in the wrong size, so I had to reorder. I am now awaiting their shipment next week. Additionally, I am still figuring out what to use for my cross beams on…
Railglow Update
I’ve officially wrapped up sourcing every component for the RailGlow lamp which are the rails, switch, socket, bulb, wiring hardware, and connectors are all accounted for. This milestone marks a major turning point in the project. Up to this point, a lot of the work has been theoretical: sketches, concept refinement, and detailed planning. Now,…
Final Project – Progress Update
Since the last update, I have made a ton of updates. One of the first parts that I did was to do all the cuts I needed. I laser cut out the panels to size and slots for the acrylic to go into. I also got the new versions of the acrylic sheets cut with…
Progress Update: Mad Max Yard Art
Progress Update: Mad Max Yard Art Summary: In short, the goal of my project is to produce an artifact inspired by yard art and a jagged, rusted aesthetic like the “Diesel Punk” that can be found in the Mad Max movies. Counterintuitively, I plan to cast this aesthetic of a sort of jagged tree onto…
Microphone Boom Arm Update
Over the past few weeks, I have made some progress on my low-profile microphone boom arm project, which is designed to fit within the minimalist aesthetic of my room. I have gathered the materials needed to assemble the thoracic build, specifically the hex nuts and foam, which are intended to reduce the vibrations that would…
Main Project Progress: Machining, Regulation, and Waiting on Parts
This week I made major progress on my pocket watch conversion project, especially with machining the case and beginning the fine-tuning of the movement itself. After some trial and error, I’m finally seeing things come together. Machining the Case I finished machining the watch case to fit the Waltham Grade 165 movement. This involved making…
Medieval Castle Project Progress
This week I made some good progress by actually starting the CAD model, which involved sketching out the outer wall layout I wanted, analyzing the size/scaling I wanted to achieve, an adding some aesthetic flourishes I wanted. The following screenshot displays the main part of my CAD model. There is still much I need to…
Updates on the Crystal Lamp
My project is to make a portable bedside nightlight that looks like a crystal and behaves “magically”. The goal is to have a self contained crystal that can illuminate itself from within, allowing it to be carried around at night as a flashlight. Waving your hand over it while its docked will turn it on/adjust…
Mid Century Modern Nightstand Progress
Hello all, now that we are reaching the end of the semester and we only have a couple of weeks until our final projects are complete I would love to share all of the work I have put into mine so far. My project has been quite labor intensive and even more so than I…
Cylinder Lamp – Progress
Version 2 I have made a lot of progress on the lamp over the last week. I settled on placing the pulley assembly on the underside of the upper section. After designing this piece, I printed the lower and upper sections of version 2 as well as the counterweight sphere and reflector. I then assembled…
Clock Progress – Prototyping and Finalizing
To reiterate, my project is designing a clock that is representative of art nouveau principles and explores the concept of identity through the connection to the human iris. As of now, my progress has been much slower than expected. I have decided to focus less on the pendulum system because of my busy schedule and…
Progress on Wöddha
Over the last week, I’ve made significant strides in the creation of the Wöddha Board. When it comes to materials, I have all but my external power source in hand as well as all of my fabricated elements completed. This includes the laser cut housing with curved edges and a 3D printed touch screen holder…
Vinyl Lamp: Progress
My main project will consist of making a retro futuristic tableside lamp by upcycling old vinyl records. I have a record player and vinyl collection in my living room in a dark corner and I want to bring some light to the corner in a way that would blend into my collection. I will be…
Pattern Making
How to Make a Pattern When making a pattern, it is best to use material that will not got torn, bent, or deformed in any way. I have used paper to make my patterns before and it is hard to store without folding, and once it is folded you can never fully straighten it out.…
Small Steps Forward are Still Steps Forward
Progress has been steady. The scaled down version of my panel with the servos is working. This has greatly helped in informing finalized utility designs and prompted more impactful wheels turning for finalizing aesthetic considerations. Single Servo Demonstration
Moon Diorama Progress Report
A Quick Recap on My ProjectI am currently working on building a Moon phase diorama—a lamp that fits within the Lunarpunk aesthetic while replicating the real-time phases of the Moon using a stepper motor operating at its smallest step angle. I’ve made significant progress on my project so far. Here is a list of everything…
Project Progress: Gyroscopic Watch Winder
My main project has honestly been progressing slower than I initially expected. My senior design project has had many deliverables, and I have had to focus most of my attention on that. Because of my senior design project, I have not been able to focus solely on the project. Because of these time constraints, I…
Progress on My Neon-Inspired 3D Printed LED Sign
The progress on my neon-inspired 3D printed LED sign is coming along nicely! I decided to start working on a sign that displays my gamer tag, “TheGreasyPotato”. I began by creating a prototype to get a sense of what the full-size sign might look like. For this prototype, I designed the letters to fit within…
Progress
Here is my update timeline. My timeline is very flexible and I made it like this because there are a lot of steps where I have to wait and let stuff dry. I planned it this way so I can work on other parts of the project while something else is drying. I also wanted…
Magnetic Shoe Display Update
So far, I’ve made good progress on my magnetic shoe display. First, to get a template of my stand to cut out, I drew the size and general shape on a poster board and cut it out with a utility knife; then, after buying a 1×8″ pine board and a 1×6″ board, I broke the…
Light AMG GT RC Car – Progress
There has been some finalization and progress throughout the past week for the fabrication of the AMG GT RC car. Both the electronics and body modifications have had substantial updates. The lighting has had a great ease of life design update that makes everything a lot simpler. Initially, I was a little unsure as to…
Coffee Table Progress
Two weeks ago, I picked up 2 slabs of cherry wood from a lumber yard. I choose this wood because it was the most reasonably priced. but still had the quality I was looking for in terms of strength. Additionally, as I would find out, Cherrywood is the easiest to work with, so as long…
Progress Update: Mountain Shelf
I’ve completed the most significant portions of my project, and I’m excited to share the progress so far. For this project, I’m creating a mountain shelf with a drawer that captures a Rustic Modern aesthetic. Project Summary to Date: Step 1: CAD Modeling and Design Planning To avoid the challenges I faced during my first mountain…
Space Exploration Keyboard – Progress
This week’s progress has been good in terms of planning. I spent most of my time learning to hydro dip and checking the quality of the hydrographic paper. Overall, I’m pleased with the advancements I’ve made. Quality of the Hydrographic Paper I assessed the quality of the hydrographic paper applied to a plastic cup, paying…
Final Project Progress
Since my last update, I’ve continued to make progress on my final project: bookends made from repurposed skis. While I’ve faced a few challenges in sourcing the right materials, I’m still excited about how the project is coming together and the direction it’s taking, both aesthetically and functionally. I’m still in the process of finding…
Matcha Stand Progress
I have been a little busy with other school things and also was just sick for a whole week so I haven’t gotten much done on this project this week. So far for my project I have gotten my materials and supplies from the scrap woods in the Btu. I think I have enough of…
Folds in Progress
I’ve made solid progress on my origami-inspired folding chair project. The final design is complete. After several iterations and adjustments, I’ve settled on a structure that balances flexibility, strength, and a clean folding mechanism. The chair folds flat using a series of rigid panels connected by a flexible backing material, which allows it to open…
MCM Bookshelf Progress
I’m making a Mid Century Modern Bookshelf for my bedroom. I chose 3/4” sande plywood for the material as well as Espresso colored oil based stain and oil based polyurethane finish. Updated CAD: Below are pictures of my progress thus far, I simplified my design…
Rustic Catan Progress
I have made a lot of progress with my Catan Board, including cutting player pieces to size and designing the board digitally. This has been a great experience so far, and I haven’t run into many problems or setbacks. Roads, Settlements, and Cities: To create these game elements, I selected six different exotic woods based…
Progress on Personalized GMT Watch
I’ve been quite busy with my other classes and work since we’ve been back from break so I haven’t had much time to work on this. However, I feel good about where I’m at. I have all the necessary components for the watch, I’ve confirmed that my movement works and fits in the case, and…
Water Filter – Progress Report
In the last couple of weeks I have been quite busy with other school and work assignments and haven’t made the progress I was hoping to make on my filter, luckily got started early so I am on track to finish in time if I get over the next few hurdles I have ahead of…
Progress – Eye of Agamotto
This week I’ve made meaningful progress on my Eye of Agamotto project, shifting from design planning into early prototyping and material testing. With the concept locked in, I focused on preparing the mechanical and visual features that bring the Eye to life. Finalizing the Design I finalized the overall shape and detailing of the Eye…
Toy Piano Progress
Over spring break, I was able to get a really big chunk of work done on my project. I used the tools my mom has accumulated over the years, essentially whenever I wanted. I really enjoyed working by myself since I could play my music out loud and not worry about people watching me work.…
Bioactive Terrarium Progress
My bioactive terrarium has been cleaned, hardscaped, and planted- now all that is left to do is clean the glass, invest in a high quality LED light, and wait for it to grow it (the hardest part!). Right now, the most crucial part of this process is making sure the humidity stays as high as…
Skate Deck Building Update
Over the last few weeks, I’ve made significant progress on my deck-building project. The essential materials for the deck itself have arrived, and the excitement of seeing this vision come to life is steadily building. However, I’m still in the process of sourcing the finishing products, specifically, the urethane and edge epoxy, to complete the…
Illusion Cutting Board Progress
I would say I am about halfway done with my project so far and I hope it was the harder half with greener pastures ahead. In this post I will describe the process I have been through to get to this point. To start, over spring break I did research on how to make the…
Competition Road Bike Progress
With my current final design project, a competition-ready, modern road bike, I’m still in the research, planning and ordering phase. Along with the base set of tasks planned at the very start of this project, I also overestimated my knowledge on bikes, and more specifically how complex each little component can be. For example, for…
Artistic Vinyl Speaker: Progress Update
For my main project, I’m creating an artistic vinyl speaker. Although it’ll look like a functional record player, the audio will come from a embedded Bluetooth speaker. For the dynamic component of the design, I’ll have a decorative vinyl record rotating using a motor on top of the record player. …
Doodlecore Embroidered Skirt: Progress
For my final project, I’m sewing and embroidering a doodlecore embroidered skirt. My progress is okay? I’m been following my timeline plans, but the embroidery part is taking more time than I initially expected/planned for. However, I should theoretically finish the water-inspired skirt before the first day of critique. Probably. After that, I’ll be working…
Mirror Work Dress 
Sparkle in Progress!
Okay big update on my main project — my mirror work outfit is finally starting to come together and I’m actually so hyped about how it’s turning out 
First things first, my mom came through like always. She helped source all the materials I needed from India — mirror pieces, chamkis, thread, fabric —…
First things first, my mom came through like always. She helped source all the materials I needed from India — mirror pieces, chamkis, thread, fabric —…How an Electric Guitar Comes Together
My first ever and from-scratch electric guitar has been progressing at a great pace since our return from Spring Break, covering a lot of ground in fewer days than expected – albeit via many, many hours in the woodshop daily. Before the break, all that existed was a guitar-shaped object: Two conspicuously shaped pieces of…
Hidden Compartment Progress
*website would not allow me to upload photos without crashing so no photos are included* As the weeks dwindle down, I’ve had to make a few key changes to my original project plans. Construction-wise, I’m slightly behind where I hoped to be, but the good news is that progress on the design front has been…
Race Car Uprights Progress
For my main design project, I decided to build a set of front suspension uprights for my 1965 Ford Mustang race car. In my last post, I described my design process in which I developed requirements that drove my decisions towards iterating a final design. The characteristics that defined my design include wheel hub choice,…
Modern Accent Table: Progress Update
Progress Updates This week marked another solid step forward in the table build, and while a few things took a little longer than expected, overall progress remains strong. First and foremost, the glass top arrived—and it’s going to work very well. I went with a 20″x20″ square with rounded corners. This should be a good…
Redesigns and Supplies
Over the last few weeks my project has undergone several design changes. The purpose for these changes is mainly to allow for the bed to be able to fully collapse enough to fit completely behind the last row of seats in my car. The original design folded into two sections, allowing for ease of manufacturability,…
Horreo Jewelry Box Progress
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…
Abby Rindfuss
Adam Hosburgh
Airyl Dayrit
Alex Jessop
Xander Johnson
Allister James Sequeira
Annie Cai
Andrew Chamberlain
Anjali Shadija
Anthony Makuch
Andrea Marks
Anthony Papaianache
Andrew Perper
Andrew Widner
Ariana Ramirez
Arjun Ramachandran
Arden Villanueva
Ayesha Rawal
Ben Erickson
Ben Harming
Ben Haley
Brian Ahn
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Bryan Moreno Najera
Brenton Yu
Cason Lane
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Chris Adami-Sampson
Chrisanna Bertuccio
Witt Young
Claire Markus
Clemens Pacher-Theinburg
Cooper Kramis
Cole Romig
Cole Sites
Cort Sommer
Daniel Carranza Valenzuela
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Seth Strayer
Danny Vesselovskii
David Whisnant
Delos Ashcraft
Dev Mahajan
Ellyse Jensen
Elise Johnson
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Francine Palmos
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Grant Thompson
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Jack Franz
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Jules Fischer-White
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Robert Forstbauer
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Shreya Pradeep Sekar
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Tanmay Mhatre
Taylor Wittwer
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Tyler Lloyd
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