Joyful Maximalism
This project was completed in a studio course where we focused on hybrid aesthetics, form, storytelling, and material construction. We began by creating visual documents, including a poster and zine, that explored the hybrid aesthetic of a found object. From this object, we developed a narrative that informed the design and construction of a series of props, allowing us to investigate color, material, finish, and form through physical making.
Using the research, imagery, and artifacts developed throughout the process, we designed a carrier bag that embodied our aesthetic direction while serving as a functional bag for the objects created from our story, along with a zine and visual presentation.
In the final stage of the project, we designed and constructed a wearable item that further expanded upon the themes, materials, and visual language developed over the semester. Accompanying the garment were additional visual presentations, zines, and videos.
Timeline: January 2026 - April 2026
Course: Product Studio 2 [Playable, Gameable, Deformable]
Tools: Adobe creative suite, Rhino 3D, sewing machine, natural dyes, Nikon Z50
Phase 1: Found Object
What aesthetics can be generated from one object?
The object I chose was fuzzy dice that were hanging on my rear-view mirror. They fit into the hybrid aesthetic of nostalgia/comfort/clutter core, which is represented in the zine. I used Rhino 3D to render a model of the dice.
Phase 2: Story
What world can be built around the object?
For this phase of the project, I wrote a poem surrounding the aesthetics and motifs of the dice. The zine is meant to carry the reader through a visual journey of the poem and summarize the story. There were several artifacts collected from within the story, which is what the next phase, the carrier bag, is meant to hold.
Phase 3A: Carrier Bag Concepting
How can a bag become a vessel for a story?
Phase 3B: Carrier bag
How does the carrier bag come to life?
Materials
Main Body: Yellow cotton canvas
Mule Pockets/Strap Ends: Bleach stained indigo dyed fabric from a recycled thrift store shirt
Interior + Reliefs: Plaid cotton shirting from recycled thrift store button up.
Buttons: Vintage clear buttons with hand sewn button holes
Zippers: Navy blue nylon zipper + cream white YKK zipper
Snaps: Nickle sew on snaps
Phase 4A: Wearable Item Concepting
How can a wearable item embody expression to the fullest?
For the wearable, my goal was to create something comfortable and functional, while embodying ideas of exuberant maximalism, representation of self, and versatility. Using natural fibers and upcycled materials was essential.
Phase 4B: Wearable Item
How does the wearable come to life?
Materials
Main Body: Natural cotton twill dyed with dandelions and iron liquor.
Godets + Details: Gingham cotton shirting from recycled thrift store button up.
Buttons: Vintage clear buttons with hand sewn button holes
Wearable Zine Print
