PROjECT 2
ICE Block
city
ICE Block
city
timeline
February 2025 – March 2025 (4 weeks)
main material
wood
Epoxy Resin
id category
Product Design
Form Exploration
Materials & Process Research
skill used
Modeling & Prototyping
Material Research (Wood, Resin)
Woodworking & Casting
Sketching & Form Exploration
intro to project
This project reinterprets traditional chess forms using material contrast and simplified geometry, balancing function and sculptural presence.
research overview
Chess sets exist not only as games, but as objects within everyday living spaces.
targer user
Children to seniors
Individuals and families
Home-centered environments
key takeaway
A chess set must function as a clear game system during play and as a sculptural interior object at rest.
From Nature
design direction
Simplified, legible forms
Material contrast for visual hierarchy
Balanced presence between play and display
inspiration board
final design sketces
Material Test with High fidelity
Material Test with High fidelity
Design Concept
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The project defines a design attitude first, guided by simplicity, balance, and restraint.
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The design direction emphasizes material contrast and geometric clarity over symbolic or decorative elements, ensuring visual cohesion across the entire chess set.
low Fidelity Models
From structure
5 set form exploration
Through iterative thumbnail sketches, this stage explores five families of form to refine a cohesive design language and establish a final direction, reinterpreting chess with modern simplicity and clarity.
high Fidelity Models
PROCESS OVERVIEW
Base dimension testing
Wooden master carving
Rubber mold fabrication
Clear resin casting
Resin + wood material evaluation
Surface and quality inspection
Material & Form
Making
Material & Form
Making
Carved black wood components for resin molding, resulting in cracks and multiple failed attempts due to the high precision required.
Cast in a rubber mold using 1:1 mixed clear resin, poured within 30 minutes and cured for 12 hours.
Image: Pinterest
curing
curing
After curing, the pieces were demolded, fine-sanded (2500-grit), and cleaned, completing the process.
