CHESS SET
5 Weeks - Spring Semester 2026
An in-depth exploration of family of form, materiality, and manufacturing processes.
Skills Acquired - Concept Sketching, Casting, Mold Making, Metal Working, and 3D Printing
DESIGN GOALS
Formulate a cohesive set with a clear family of form
Have a central casted part incorporated into each piece
Utilize at least two different materials in the making of the set
Draw from architecture and the space age aesthetic for inspiration
INSPIRATION IMAGES
INITIAL CONCEPT SKETCHING
Early exploratory thumbnails focused on creating a distinctive form and incorporating elements from inspiration images.
ITERATIONS
Further iterative designs were directed towards creating a family of form and hierarchy, implementing the identifying features of each piece, and deciding on a central cast part.
REFINED SKETCH RENDERING
By the end of the iterative phase, I gained a greater sense of materiality and connection points. I settled on a design with an aluminum frame and resin cone. Both materials have a futuristic appearance that emphasizes the space age aesthetic.
After researching connection points, I concluded that metal must be embedded inside of the resin cone during the casting process. The metal frame was laser cut with holes so that the resin could flow through and connect both halfs of the cone.
MOLD MAKING PROCESS
Manufacturing began by creating laser-cutting files of the metal frames and identifying features in Illustrator. Once the frames were cut, they were bent at the corner with a metal brake.
The plan was to make three molds with three different-sized cones to create a hierarchy. To make masterpieces for the molds, three additional metal frames were cut, and half of a cone was resin printed. Clay was used to create a part line, and Mold Star 30 was the silicone poured over the masterpieces.
METAL WORKING & CASTING
Next, came the step of drilling holes in the metal pieces for the rivets. Once the holes were drilled, I cast the epoxy resin cones onto the metal frames, inside of the molds. Lastly, I riveted on the identifying sheet metal features onto the metal frames.
FINAL MODEL
