Physical Design
Beyond the digital
As a UX designer, I’ve discovered that my skills seamlessly extend into the realm of physical creations. The process of designing and crafting tangible objects not only follows similar principles to UX design but also enriches my approach to digital experiences. Below is a showcase of projects I’ve built with my own hands, demonstrating my versatility as a creator and problem-solver.
These projects span a wide range, including home renovations, custom fireplaces, intricate miniatures, and even a fully functional arcade machine. Each endeavor reflects my commitment to continuous learning, attention to detail, and passion for creating user-centered experiences, whether in the digital or physical world.
Through these projects, I’ve honed my ability to collaborate with specialists, adapt to new challenges, and find innovative solutions to complex problems. This hands-on experience has profoundly influenced my UX design work, enhancing my understanding of user needs, improving my communication with diverse teams, and broadening my problem-solving toolkit.
By exploring the intersection of digital and physical design, I’ve gained invaluable insights that elevate my work in both realms. This portfolio section not only showcases my craftsmanship but also illustrates how cross-disciplinary skills can lead to more holistic and effective design solutions.
The overlap between physical and digital design is most evident in remodeling projects. This process mirrors many aspects of UX design: committing to solving a problem, exploring all possible solutions, and collaborating with specialists in unique skills.
Rather than simply hiring craftsmen to complete tasks, I often paid them to teach me their techniques. This approach meant compensating them for their knowledge rather than just their labor, which proved to be an invaluable learning experience. By listening, reflecting, practicing, and then having my work verified, I’ve acquired a diverse set of skills across various trades.
This hands-on learning approach has allowed me to tackle a wide range of projects, from building fireplaces to handling electrical and plumbing work, renovating kitchens and bathrooms, installing floors, and even understanding load-bearing capacities with framers and architects. However, I maintain a humble approach, acknowledging that I don’t know everything about these trades and trusting the expertise of professionals.
The key takeaway from this experience is that actively participating and learning from others not only broadens your skill set but also makes you more versatile and resilient when faced with challenges, especially when expert help isn’t immediately available.
This methodology of continuous learning, problem-solving, and collaboration directly translates to my approach in UX design. It has enhanced my ability to understand complex systems, communicate effectively with diverse teams, and find innovative solutions to multifaceted problems.
This miniature house project pushed the boundaries of my design skills, challenging me to work with new materials and technologies while blending fantasy with reality. I explored various techniques including fiberoptics, clay modeling, metal bending, advanced painting, and sculpting – all new skills I acquired during this process. The design incorporates a solar panel, allowing it to be self-powered and placed in a natural setting.
My vision was to position this miniature world in the forest near my house, adjacent to a walking path. The goal was to create a moment of wonder for passersby, encouraging them to pause, take a second look, and briefly step into a world of imagination. This project not only showcases my ability to learn and apply new techniques but also demonstrates my passion for creating immersive experiences that spark curiosity and joy – principles that are equally valuable in both physical and digital design realms.
Building an arcade from scratch
The Second video showcases the complete process of building the arcade cabinet, from conception to completion. The second video demonstrates an enhancement I made after the initial build, focusing on upgrading the lighting system. Initially, the banner images were quite basic, but I saw an opportunity for improvement. This subsequent upgrade reflects my commitment to continual refinement and my ability to elevate a project even after its initial completion. These videos not only display the technical aspects of the build but also illustrate my iterative design process and attention to detail, skills that are equally valuable in both physical crafting and UX design