Aashish Blesson's Portfolio

July 1, 2024

Materials

Flakestake is a dynamic basketball team portfolio showcasing player stats, and match highlights. It blends sleek visuals with interactive features for an immersive experience.

Year

2024-25

TEAM

Individual/group

college

Product Duration

2-3 weeks

Elements of Form and Space

For this project, I began by studying Macaws in their natural habitat to understand their physical features and unique characteristics. I researched their anatomy, textures, and movement patterns to capture the essence of the bird. This phase involved a combination of field study and visual reference gathering, allowing me to develop a deeper understanding of the macaw's form, which would inform the design and materials used later in the project.

consept

After gathering reference material, I translated the natural form of the macaw into initial sketches to simplify its design. The goal was to capture the most important and recognizable features while ensuring the model would be feasible for handcrafting. The initial concept focused on an elegant yet simplified version of the bird’s body, balancing the need for accuracy with ease of production.

Design

I created a series of clay models to explore the macaw's form and structure in three dimensions. The first iteration was a more complex and detailed version, allowing me to test the shape and proportions. However, I soon realized it was too intricate for the intended casting process. For the second iteration, I simplified the design, focusing on key details while ensuring the model was easy to handle and refine. The third and final clay model was a more refined, simplified version of the macaw’s body, which would serve as the basis for the silicone mold.

Development

Once the final clay model was complete, I used it to create silicone molds. The mold-making process involved carefully applying silicone over the refined clay model to capture all surface details. After the silicone set, I created molds using plaster, dentist plaster, and soap to ensure the mold was both durable and able to produce multiple casts. Each mold material was chosen to achieve specific characteristics, such as flexibility, precision, and ease of demolding.

Outcome

The final molds allowed me to produce multiple castings of the macaw model in different materials. This project provided valuable insights into sculpting, casting, and working with silicone and other mold-making materials. It was an excellent opportunity to refine my skills in material science and model-making, which I can apply to future product design and prototyping projects.

Acrylic Desk Lamp Design

The project aimed to create a functional desk lamp using acrylic. We researched existing designs to determine the best materials for light diffusion and durability. Acrylic was chosen for its transparency, ease of manipulation, and modern look.

Concept

We started by sketching various designs, settling on a clean, minimalistic approach with a clear acrylic cover for light diffusion and a red acrylic body for contrast. The goal was to combine modern aesthetics with practical lighting.

Design

Using acrylic, we employed several fabrication methods:

Laser Cutting: Precise cuts were made for the lamp’s components.
Heating & Bending: Acrylic was softened and bent to create smooth curves.
Sanding: This process diffused the light for a softer, more even glow.
Die-Making: A wooden die was crafted to replicate the bends and ensure consistency.

Using acrylic, we employed several fabrication methods:

Laser Cutting: Precise cuts were made for the lamp’s components.
Heating & Bending: Acrylic was softened and bent to create smooth curves.
Sanding: This process diffused the light for a softer, more even glow.
Die-Making: A wooden die was crafted to replicate the bends and ensure consistency.

Using acrylic, we employed several fabrication methods:

Laser Cutting: Precise cuts were made for the lamp’s components.
Heating & Bending: Acrylic was softened and bent to create smooth curves.
Sanding: This process diffused the light for a softer, more even glow.
Die-Making: A wooden die was crafted to replicate the bends and ensure consistency.

Development

The lamp was assembled by installing the wiring and light bulbs into the acrylic structure. The wooden die was used to shape the cover perfectly, and sanding was done to ensure an even light diffusion, creating a soft and ambient glow.

Outcome

The final product is a modern desk lamp with a red acrylic body and a clear acrylic cover that diffuses light evenly. The combination of traditional techniques like heating, laser cutting, and die-making resulted in a well-crafted, functional design.

Aluminum Model Airplane Project | Metal Fabrication Study

As part of a metalworking assignment, we designed and fabricated a model airplane using aluminum. The objective was to apply multiple machining processes—such as cutting, facing, turning, drilling, threading, milling, sheet cutting, and welding—to understand material behavior and workshop techniques. The project emphasized precision, process planning, and hands-on craftsmanship, resulting in a fully assembled aluminum airplane model built through a series of coordinated machining operations.