PROJECT 01 / ORIGINAL DESIGN / DIORAMA

STARLIGHT
DRIVE-IN.

Starlight Drive-In / finished build

A tribute to the exuberant roadside signs of the 1950s. An original miniature, from pencil sketches to paint and light.

A LITTLE
ROADSIDE MAGIC.

I’d wanted to build a miniature of an iconic 1950s-style motel sign for a long time. The appeal was the character: signs designed to catch the eye and stand out from their neighbours.

When I was asked to produce a piece for Habitat for Humanity’s art auction, I found a set of lamps at a ReStore. One became the base for the diorama.

PROJECT
Original art piece
MATERIALS
Basswood, styrene, metal, 3D-printed parts and LEDs

FROM PENCIL TO LIGHT.

Sketch the shapes. Work out the pieces. Build the character.

Original Starlight concept sketches in the approved bench composition
01 / THE ORIGINAL SKETCHES · APPROVED STYLED BENCH COMPOSITION
Unpainted Starlight sign with cut parts and raised lettering
02 / CUT PARTS & RAISED LETTERING
Painted Starlight sign during assembly
03 / PAINT & ASSEMBLY

The sketchbook was the first step: blocking out the overall shapes and concept. The next step was a computer drawing to work out dimensions and prepare the pieces for laser cutting.

Laser-cut basswood, styrene, metal, 3D-printed details and LEDs all came together in the finished piece.

THE FINISHED PIECE.

A sign, a pedestal and a little pool of light.

Starlight Diorama complete illuminated build

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