CAD: Heart Ring

Winged-Heart Band CAD Jewelry Concept | Personal Exploration, 2023 Project Story Translating classic American-tattoo iconography into metal, I designed a continuous band that features a heart flanked by outstretched wings, sliced straight through the shank as a repeating negative-space motif. The cut-outs turn the heavy symbolism of vintage flash art into an airy lattice—letting skin and light flicker through the ring while preserving structural integrity. Think biker-patch attitude, re-imagined as minimalist jewelry. My Contribution Concept & Reference Pull – Studied Sailor Jerry flash sheets and mid-century biker patches to pin down line weights and wing geometry. Parametric CAD Modeling – Built a fully editable ring in Rhino/Grasshopper: patterned the wing-heart unit around the circumference, added filleted edges for comfort, and set global sizing parameters for quick re-scale. Structural Analysis – Checked minimum wall thicknesses and stress points to ensure the filigree survives lost-wax casting or direct metal printing. Rendering & Presentation – Generated KeyShot renders in brushed silver, polished steel, and oxidized brass to visualize material options for the portfolio. Manufacturing Prep – Exported watertight STL and STEP files with sprue targets marked, ready for SLA prototyping or investment casting. Result Delivered a production-ready digital model that demonstrates my ability to convert 2-D graphic language into functional 3-D jewelry—broadening my portfolio beyond apparel, motion, and photography.