Concept
I wanted to make something I could actually keep in my room, so I decided on a small patterned lamp. I’ve made laser-cut boxes before and already knew my way around a box template. This time I wanted to design the cutouts myself. I started experimenting with geometric shapes inspired by Islamic geometric designs and motifs, especially the way a simple shape can become much more interesting and beautiful through repetition.
p5.js sketch
I made two patterns in p5.js. One repeats eight-pointed stars with little diamonds in the gaps. The other builds flowers from eight rotated petals, again with diamonds between them.
My first attempts had far too much wood and not enough cutout, so I kept adjusting the size and spacing of the shapes. I wanted them close together, but there still had to be enough wood between the holes for the panel to hold together.
Vector design and cutting
I placed the SVG patterns inside a box template, leaving a clear border for the finger joints. I planned for the box to be 12 cm, but somehow it came out 8 cm after preparing the files for cutting. I’m still not entirely sure where those four centimetres went, haha. Luckily, I like it at this size.
I cut both patterns as physical tests. The flower version has lots of tiny openings and looks lovely up close. The stars are bolder and much easier to read from a little farther away, so I used both for the assembled box.
Process and challenges
The main challenge was getting the density right. On the screen, I kept wanting to push the shapes closer together. Once I thought about actually cutting them, I had to pay attention to the thin strips of wood left between the holes. I also had to keep the pattern away from the joints, because making a beautiful panel that could no longer fit into the box would have been a bit unfortunate.
My favourite part of the finished box is the corner. The pattern carries onto the next face, but the two sides catch the light differently. I also really like the dark edges left by the laser. I hadn’t planned for those while drawing thin black lines on a white canvas, but they make the openings feel much more defined.
Reflection
My takeaway from this assignment is realising there are so many things I could do with laser cutting beyond making flat shapes. I’m excited to experiment more, and I’d especially love to try kerf bending next.
The box is smaller than I intended, but I’m happy with how it turned out. More importantly, it feels like something I would actually keep in my room