StarRider

About this work

StarRider is a customized mobility vehicle designed by an interdisciplinary engineering team at UC Santa Barbara, aimed at providing accessible, joystick-controlled movement for children with disabilities. While the mechanical structure and circuitry were handled by my teammates, I served as the visual and creative lead. The only artist on the team, I was responsible for designing and implementing the physical shell and all aesthetic elements.

My primary focus was ensuring that the visual storytelling aligned with the technical requirements. I designed and fabricated the cart's outer shell using lightweight foam and a hand-painted space theme inspired by the NASA Apollo missions. Applied patches and graphics were carefully positioned to avoid interfering with mechanical components, wiring, or joystick function.

The final product is a playful yet purposeful design: a rideable spacecraft for young users, blending functionality, safety, and visual imagination.