True North: Carousel of Passion

True North challenged me to build something that represented “from wherever you are, to wherever you’re going.” Inspired by Disney’s Carousel of Progress, I created a carousel as a metaphor for my passions and life journey. My Carousel of Passion featured sketches that capture the forces that drive me, all tied to my dream of becoming a themed entertainment engineer.
This was a fast-paced, four-day project where I moved from low-fidelity prototyping to a fully functional piece. I built the carousel using 3D printing, laser cutting, and sheet metal working. For the axel, I repurposed an empty can of my favorite soda—a fitting centerpiece since it fueled me during the build and symbolically carried my passions circling around it.
Every design choice carried meaning: laser-cut atomic stars captured my love of mid-century modern design, while the glittery base expressed my belief that everyone has their own “sparkle” to bring into projects. For me, adding that shimmer, whether to course notes, passion projects, or even makeup, is a signature of authenticity.
Ultimately, my True North Carousel of Passion is both a reflection of where I’ve been and a reminder of where I’m headed: blending creativity, engineering, and storytelling to design experiences that inspire wonder.