Denim Classic
5 Weeks | Spring 2026
Design and form of a chess set, exploring timeless materiality while emphasizing manufacturability through casting, unified by a shared component across all pieces.
Ideation
I wanted to have a form that complimented the material I was going to use. Through different shapes and ideas I landed on the idea of using denim and concrete. To emphasize the fabric I wanted to include folds in my design.
Denim Research
Trying to find a way to keep denim to keep a folded form I tried resin but it darkened the denim too much
Through experimentation hairspray worked the best to the denim in its shape
To identify each piece, laser cutting was used to not only cut out the pieces but to bleach the symbols onto the denim
Achieving a full jean look, yellow seams are added along the edges
Casting
Base of chess piece is made in Fusion and model is 3D printed
3D print is taken and made into a mold to be duplicated
Cement is mixed and poured into the mold
Each final base piece is cut down to different sizes to represent the hierarchy of pieces
Final Photos and Renderings
