December 2024
A Month of Creation: Reflections on Design, Growth, and Personal Exploration
December has been a whirlwind of creativity, learning, and personal growth. As I look back, the overarching theme seems to be not just about creating, but about learning how to own the process of creation—turning vague ideas into tangible, meaningful work that reflects my values and vision.
The Art of a Blanket Ladder: Finding Meaning in Simplicity
The blanket ladder project started as an experiment, but evolved into a deep dive into the essence of design. Initially, it felt like I was grappling with something nebulous, struggling to find personal connection. But through reflection, I realized the ladder’s purpose wasn’t just functional. It was emotional: it’s about displaying love. It’s a tool for showcasing the warmth and comfort of a home, a stage for beautiful blankets.
This clarity shifted my approach. Simplicity became the goal. It’s not about overcomplicating the design with unnecessary features, but focusing on creating something beautiful, sturdy, and proud. Practicality matters of course, but the emotional impact matters more. Design is about creating something people want to live with, something that makes them feel safe, warm, and at home.
The Stuu, made from green Recycled ABS
Through sketches and renders, I explored material options, proportions, and aesthetics. From white oak plywood to thicker constructions, every choice had to balance cost-effectiveness and elegance. The process highlighted my need for patience — rushing only led to errors. Digital tools like Blender proved invaluable for ideation and testing, offering efficiency and flexibility that paper sketching couldn’t match.
Design as a Social Solution
Another breakthrough came while reading Change by Design by Tim Brown.
The cover of Change by Design, by Tim Brown
To be honest, though the book felt like an extended pitch for ideas never meaningfully explained, it offered one profound takeaway: great design addresses social issues. This resonated deeply. Whether it’s furniture, websites, or larger entrepreneurial ventures, design isn’t just about aesthetics or utility; it’s about solving real human problems.
A close-up of the Atelier Ladder shelf, furnished with accessible decor.
This principle reshaped how I think about my work. A blanket ladder might seem mundane, but if it helps someone express pride in their home, that’s a social impact worth pursuing. This mindset also sparked ideas for future projects, like exploring biomorphic and mycelium-based designs that blend nature with modernity, creating sustainable, meaningful solutions.
A Website as a Canvas for Ideas
My website, another ongoing project, became a parallel journey in design. Initially constrained by Squarespace’s templates, I wrestled with the tension between functionality and creativity. While Squarespace is great for getting started, it felt limiting for the unique aesthetic I envisioned — clean, minimal, and almost architectural, a space for my projects to breathe and resonate. For now, I decided to stick with it, however an upcoming project may be switching over to a more custom solution.
A selection of reference images used while creating this site.
Collecting inspiration from cutting-edge design websites, I redefined my goals. The website needed to be more than a portfolio; it had to embody simplicity and mindfulness. Every element — from layout to typography — had to serve a purpose. Though the site isn’t quite there yet, it’s functional and reflects my evolving aesthetic. Future plans include learning web development to create a truly custom experience, but for now, the site serves its purpose: a showcase of my work and ideas.
The Joy (and Frustration) of Rendering
Rendering has been both a challenge and a joy. Creating realistic visualizations of the blanket ladder and other concepts tested my patience and problem-solving skills. From refining materials and lighting to experimenting with cloth simulations, every detail felt like a puzzle to solve. The results weren’t perfect (see below). There’s always room for improvement. But these first steps marked significant progress.
One lesson stood out: simplicity wins. A single strong render communicates more effectively than a dozen mediocre ones. This realization helped streamline my design sheets, keeping them clean and focused. Templates and style guides became essential tools, ensuring consistency and saving creative energy for what matters most.
A render for a personal project, made in Fusion 360.
Expanding Horizons: Mycelium, Biomorphic Design, and Generative Art
A fungal close-up.
This month wasn’t just about the projects at hand; it was also about planting seeds for the future. Discovering biomorphic design and generative art opened new creative avenues, blending organic patterns with modern aesthetics. Exploring mycelium, and mycelium based composites (MBCs) as a material — a sustainable, versatile option with incredible potential — was another highlight. The idea of growing my own materials feels both revolutionary and deeply personal, aligning with my values of sustainability and innovation.
Generative art, particularly using TouchDesigner, became a new frontier. The software’s capabilities for creating dynamic, evolving visuals felt like an entirely new language of creativity. Though the learning curve is steep, I’m thrilled by the potential to incorporate these tools into future projects, pushing the boundaries of what design can communicate.
Lessons in Discipline and Self-Belief
Throughout the month, I confronted personal challenges: a fear of success, a lack of focus, and a tendency to rush. Recognizing these patterns was a critical step toward growth. Success isn’t just about technical skill or motivation — it’s about trusting myself, staying disciplined, and embracing the process fully.
There’s a sense of joy in this work, even when it’s frustrating or messy. Every sketch, render, and website tweak teaches me something new, building a foundation for future endeavors. This month reminded me that progress doesn’t always look perfect — it looks like effort, learning, and persistence.
A still from another TouchDesigner exercise.
Looking Ahead
As I wrap up this month’s projects, I feel a mix of pride and anticipation. The design sheets are complete, the renders are improving, and the website is evolving. But more than that, I’ve laid the groundwork for bigger ideas—sustainable materials, generative art, and social-impact-driven design.
The journey is just beginning, but for now, I’m celebrating the steps I’ve taken. Each project, each reflection, each small victory brings me closer to becoming the designer — and the person — I aspire to be.
