4. I then engraved a pebble and leaf pattern onto one of the circle layers and scored my friend’s name and the year on to another circular layer.

5. After finishing with the laser cutter, I peeled off the protective layers and cleaned off my pieces. Lastly, I attached the separate pieces using acrylic glue and a lot of patience.

Challenges

I ran into some issues with balancing the weight of the bottom of the holder with the weight of the headphones. I weighed the headphones prior to creating the acrylic model, however, the holder would tip in different directions because each pair weighs a different amount. I fixed this by adding more layers to the bottom, increasing the height and weight of the stand overall. For the next iteration, I would like to make the base wider (so that it matches the end of the limbs paralleling it) and add some weights to the bottom as well.

Another challenge I had was working with the acrylic glue. It took much more time and effort to have it set in the exact spot I wanted it too. I also learned that the glue, while strong, is not as sturdy as creating notches and then reinforcing with glue. In the next iteration, I would definitely like to implement a notch system.

Reflection

Overall, I am happy with my final product. I always enjoy doing projects for other people because it pushes me to become a more empathetic and aware designer. This project was short and fast-paced however, it did get me to really discover what one of my friend’s needed in their life. This headphone stand is more than just functional, it is a means of helping him protect his favorite memories and anecdotes from childhood.