Custom Coasters designed for my mother, as a gift.
This project explores the intersection of high-fidelity industrial manufacturing and affective design. Developed as a bespoke gift for my mother, these coasters serve as a storytelling medium, celebrating her affinity for elephants through a series of eight custom vector illustrations. The objective was to elevate a common household object into a premium artifact by balancing minimalist graphic design with a complex, multi-material assembly.
The design utilizes a sophisticated three-layer construction, prioritizing tactile feedback and visual weight:
The Structural Base: FDM printed in Terracotta PLA, the base provides a matte, architectural foundation with soft-touch geometry.
The Interface: High-precision laser-engraved natural cork sheets were chosen for their organic warmth and functional absorption. The laser process preserves the intricate detail of the vector silhouettes against the grain of the cork.
The Weighted Core: To achieve a premium "hand-feel," a glossy black acrylic disk is flush-mounted into the under-side of the base. This component is back-engraved with a custom message and the LWN Studios mark, providing both stabilization and a hidden detail of craftsmanship.
Final Assembly: The units are finished with transparent anti-slip pads, ensuring surface grip without compromising the clean lines of the terracotta housing.
Equipment: Bambu Lab H2C (Laser & Print).
Rather than a repetitive pattern, each coaster features a unique character study. The illustrations, developed in Adobe Illustrator, utilize high-contrast silhouettes to ensure legibility across the porous cork surface. Each design reflects a specific hobby or personality trait, paired with bold, industrial typography:
The Athletes: The One That Rows, The One That Can’t Ski, and The One That Does Pilates.
The Lifestyle Series: The One That Loves Tea, The Playful One, and The Lazy One.
The Family Funny Dynamics: The Young One and The Chubby One.
The result is a cohesive collection that functions as a single design language while maintaining individual narrative value.
Year: 2026
Software: Adobe Illustrator (Vector), Fusion 360 (CAD Modeling)
Additional Software: Bambu Suite (Laser tracking), Bambu Studio (Slicer)
Hardware: Bambu Lab H2C
Materials: Terracotta PLA, Natural Cork, Glossy Black Acrylic
Studio photo quality: Iphone + Vizcom AI
