Fractured and Decayed
Spring 2025 - 5 Weeks
Designing a simple, powerful family of form that is easily understood by the user.
Initial inspiration board defining underlying ideas and theme of structural and urban decay.
Selected sketches showing ideation and 2D development process, going from abstract, building-like forms to a realized family of form built upon height and traditional chess signifiers.
Early physical concepts, concrete was molded in quick, rudimentary cardboard molds along with foam bases.
Initial, exploratory 3D models of forms.
Refined 3D models of forms now utilizing a architectural inspired design motif.
This project made heavy use of molds. A rubber mold constructed with OOMOO 30 and a 3D-printed positive was used to cast the shared base element between the set. Custom, modular 3D printed molds were then utilized to produce the top parts of the pieces. The rigidity of the hard plastic enabled the pieces to take on a purposeful distressed look once released.
Tests utilizing iron oxide concrete dye to paint color on the pieces.
Mid-Fidelity pieces; molding process was in need of refinement at this stage.
Final orthographic and cross-section drawings.
Fractured and Decayed
A chess set inspired by how our present decisions afflict the past. Defined by industrial and distorted materials, these pieces act as a means of presenting what will survive into the future through design considerations of our own worn past.
