Olive Branch Cufflinks
This project involved creating two identical metal hardware pieces. I decided to make cufflinks, since they come as a pair and offered the opportunity to design a small, detailed object that carries elegance and a sense of personal craftsmanship. I used brass and stainless steel for the pieces, since I have prior experience working with these materials. The design process consisted of using both traditional soldering and soft soldering techniques. This allowed me to join the components while maintaining clean, precise seams. I also focused on refining the form and achieving a polished final result that reflects careful attention to detail.
Creation Date Fall 2025
Course Bigger Than a Bracelet, Smaller Than a Table, Metalworking for Prototyping Tools and Custom Hardware Studio
Materials Stainless steel, Brass
01 Form Prototype Exploration
Material SelectionInitially chose aluminum for its ease of handling as a soft metal that is easy to cut and shape.
Selected brass for its warm color, using it to add visual contrast to the final pieces.
Design DevelopmentDeveloped multiple design concepts and explored a range of geometric forms for the product.
02 Design Progress
Redesign and RefinementSketched multiple variations of one design before selecting the most refined version.
Made necessary adjustments to the design based on improvements from feedback.
PrototypingProduced initial prototypes by hand to test the design and functionality.
Evaluated the quality, size, and appearance of the prototypes.
03 Production Procedure
Laser CuttingContacted a Rhode Island-based company to utilize fiber laser cutting technology.
Achieved high precision and efficiency in cutting, ensuring clean edges and accurate shapes.
SolderingUsed a torch in the industrial design metal shop to attach the pieces with flux and silver into the desired shape.
Filed and sanded the pieces to remove burn marks and ensure clean edges and a smooth surface.
04 Final Ideation
FinalizationMade sure that both cufflinks were identical and finalized, ensuring they look cohesive.
Finished the pieces in a tumbler to achieve a more polished appearance.
Carefully scraped off excess silver from the joints after soldering.
Email: kbushnaq@risd.edu Phone: (401) 855-5193
Khaled Bushnaq 2026