As part of a class about designing for the plastic injection molding process, I designed, cut molds and shot some napkin rings called the Impaled Napkin Rings series. Process below.
I first 3D printed some prototypes to see how they worked. I learned that living hinges do not work with our printer material. I cut the molds using a HAAS Office Mill OM1. I had to recut one side as the living hinge at the neck was so small on the first iteration that when the molds separated after shooting they would decapitate the napkin ring (if that makes sense). I widened the neck and they shot perfectly.









I’ve been inspired by many chairs over the last week or so and spent far too much time in my head and on paper sketching ideas. Last night I cut and assembled the chair I designed in six hours using 2 2x4x8’s and a 4 foot by 4 foot piece of 1/2″ plywood. Here is some process documentation and some photos of the final project. I was pleased with amount of time it took to cut and assemble but not so happy with the bulkiness and lack of personal expression in the piece. It was a great exercise in making a functional and comfortable chair, which I have never attempted or done before and I’m excited for the next 7 weeks to fully design and explore my next chair.
I wanted to see how my peers would respond to being labeled with a selection of fruits, vegetable or the tag, ‘fast food’. This project is ongoing. The photos are below and captions from short conversations I had with subjects as I was photographing them being distilled and will be up soon. *All the shirts are size medium from Uniqlo and with custom vinyl stickers on the fronts and backs.
Made a paper birthday present for my mom using the laser cutter, colored paper and thread. I wanted to make something for her that could feel collaborative.
This piece explores how everyday objects are unhappy about the way they are used and the lengths they go to escape their designed destiny. By giving every day objects autonomy, we want to question and re-invent their purpose, context and expression in the world. The video was shown next to a box of concrete replica ear plugs that we made and sealed back into the plastic packaging.
produced, filmed & edited by David Bordow & Wei Li
music: “Doorstep” by Tune-Yards
I was experimenting with ways to let concrete set formed around bubbles. Basically, I blew bubbles in a cup of setting Rockite with a straw. This is the result. It feels awesome but cracks easily when touched.