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University of California, San Diego
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
MAE 156B Senior Design Project
Team 6: Yari Armand, Aidan Gleason, Emily Huang, Hanson Huang
Project Background & Objective
Project Background & Objective
Background
The UCSD Craft Center is a creative hub offering hands-on workshops in ceramics, woodworking, jewelry making, surfboard shaping, culinary arts, and more. Located within Sixth College, the Craft Center plays a valuable role in fostering artistic expression and skill-building across the student community. However, due to its relatively hidden location and limited signage, many students are unaware of its presence and the unique opportunities it provides.
Project Objective
To address this lack of visibility, our team was tasked with designing a dynamic and engaging outdoor sign that would help draw attention to the Craft Center.
This project is sponsored by the Craft Center, including manager Annika Nelson and the Craft Center Team. Their vision was to create a structure that not only attracts passersby but also reflects the creativity and craftsmanship celebrated within the Craft Center. Our mix of engineering, design, & craftsmanship reflects the creative spirit of the Craft Center. Resulting in a kinetic sign that can capture attention through movement, color, and form. The structure will be installed outdoors, making it critical for the design to be visually appealing, safe, and durable against environmental exposure. Through this project, we aim to blend engineering and art to help revitalize awareness and engagement with the Craft Center across the UC San Diego campus.
Our Design
Our Design
The final installation features a two-part sign displaying the words CRAFT & CENTER.
CRAFT: Constructed from layered, multi-colored acrylic with an internal motorized pulley/rotating arm system that moves an LED light along custom tracks, creating a dynamic light-drawing effect.
CENTER: CNC-cut cursive lettering in pressure-treated plywood, filled with tinted epoxy resin.
The entire structure is framed with varnished wood and encased in clear marine-grade vinyl, making it weather-resistant and protecting its moving components. It is also mounted on wheels, allowing the Craft Center staff to easily transport and store it after hours.
Daytime
Daytime
Cycle of light patterns in the day
Nighttime
Nighttime
Cycle of light patterns at night
Main Components
Main Components
Details in "Final Design" page!
Letters
Letters
Layered Acrylic & Epoxy Resin
Track & Mechanics
Track & Mechanics
HDPE, Lights, Pulleys/Arms
Encasing
Encasing
Plywood & Vinyl
High Priority Requirements
High Priority Requirements
The installation must be eye-catching and capable of drawing attention to the Craft Center.
Must incorporate kinetic motion (e.g., rotating, sliding, blooming, etc...).
Materials must be durable and weather-resistant for outdoor placement.
Structure must be mobile and on wheels to allow repositioning & indoor storage.
Must comply with UCSD safety regulations and be free of hazards (e.g., sharp edges, toxic materials).
Secondary Priority Requirements
Secondary Priority Requirements
Weight must be considered in order to be moved by Craft Center staff
Must be able to be transported through doors for accessibility.
Includes interactive elements that engage viewers (e.g., push buttons or moving letters).
Should incorporate artistic elements reflecting the Craft Center
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