Diamond Tread Aluminum Briefcase
Oct 2025
Handmade briefcase made from folded diamond tread aluminum sheet metal for ART 1621: Introduction to Sculpture: Metal
Oct 2025
Handmade briefcase made from folded diamond tread aluminum sheet metal for ART 1621: Introduction to Sculpture: Metal
I carry an aluminum briefcase at all times to hold my laptop and other small goods. Unfortunately, my beloved Pina Zangaro Camden Attache—an integral component of my daily uniform—has begun showing its age. I’ve carried this briefcase since my freshman year in college, and since then the briefcase has accumulated visible damage. Scratches and dents have appeared on its surface, the latches have grown tarnished, and the handle rattles annoyingly when I’m walking (it rattles especially loudly while I’m running to catch a departing train or a class I’m already late for).
My old briefcase gets its beauty from its minimalist composition. The makers behind this briefcase cut and folded a sheet of anodized aluminum into two interlocking trays, secured with rivets and hinges. For my first project for Introduction to Sculpture: Metal, I thought attempting to remake a shiny new version of this briefcase would serve me well practically and educationally.
My old briefcase gets its beauty from its minimalist composition. The makers behind this briefcase cut and folded a sheet of anodized aluminum into two interlocking trays, secured with rivets and hinges. For my first project for Introduction to Sculpture: Metal, I thought attempting to remake a shiny new version of this briefcase would serve me well practically and educationally.
Originally, I planned to use the CNC laser cutter in the Yale School of Art’s fabrication shop in order to execute the cuts I designed. Unfortunately, after three failed cuts, I realized that the machine doesn’t like textured metal. I then switched to marking the cuts and folds by hand.
I finished the product by installing rivets to hold the corners together, a hinge to allow the two halves to open, a handle for comfortable carrying, and latches to secure the lid.
Working with a material that lacks a flat surface proved challenging. Marking cut lines and rivet points on such an uneven material required extra care.