Burning Man art car

Journey of the Desert Dragonfly

Overview

Dragonfly began as a decision—to step onto a bigger stage and create work at a truly global scale.

What followed was the design and delivery of a 10-metre immersive art car for Burning Man—developed across continents, engineered under pressure, and brought to life through a fusion of creative direction and technical execution.

I was brought on by a San Francisco-based fabrication studio to transform an early concept into a fully buildable, production-ready vehicle. Working remotely from Australia, I led the development of the form, structure, and systems—aligning design intent with real-world constraints.

The final piece carries over 30 participants across two levels—part sculpture, part machine, part moving environment.

Experience Breakdown - Led end-to-end design development from concept through to fabrication and delivery - Engineered a multi-level mobile structure supporting 30+ participants with integrated circulation and spatial experience - Developed parametric geometry systems in Grasshopper to resolve complex organic forms - Solved critical fabrication challenges through algorithmic design and controlled tessellation strategies - Directed global collaboration across contributors in the US, India, and Afghanistan to deliver time-sensitive solutions - Built real-time parametric design tools enabling live client interaction and rapid decision-making - Delivered full fabrication packages including laser-cut files, folding strategies, and assembly systems - Introduced tab-and-fold construction methods to dramatically accelerate build time and reduce complexity - Designed bespoke LED-integrated components, including complex eye structures with compound geometry - Stepped into on-site leadership during fabrication to resolve gaps and maintain delivery momentum - Led installation of 100+ metres of LED lighting and supported system commissioning under pressure

Full Story (Condensed Depth)

The project began with a rough concept model and a tight timeline. From there, I took full ownership of resolving the form, structure, and systems—developing a cohesive design language that could be fabricated efficiently and perform reliably in the harsh conditions of the Nevada desert.

A defining challenge emerged in the dragonfly’s eyes—complex compound curves that needed to be fabricated from flat sheet material. I pursued multiple solution pathways simultaneously, collaborating globally while advancing my own parametric workflows.

The breakthrough came through algorithmic design—enabling precise control over geometry, fabrication, and pattern. I developed a live parametric interface that transformed design reviews into real-time collaborative sessions, allowing form and structure to be shaped dynamically with the client.

This shifted the process from drafting to directing.

As fabrication progressed in San Francisco, I joined the team on-site to support final delivery. Identifying a critical gap in LED integration, I stepped into a lead role—overseeing installation and ensuring system readiness under tight deadlines.

The piece was transported across the Sierra Nevada into the Nevada desert and delivered to Burning Man, where final technical challenges were resolved in situ—resulting in a fully operational, interactive art car.

Closing

Dragonfly represents a defining moment in my practice—where creative direction, technical design, and real-world execution converged at an international scale.

Delivered from concept through to operation at Burning Man, the project became a fully realised moving environment—carrying people across the playa through light, form, and shared experience.

It demonstrates my ability to take an abstract idea and drive it through every stage of delivery—resolving complexity, leading multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring the final work performs in the real world.

This is the level at which I operate: creating immersive, high-impact environments that are both technically precise and emotionally resonant.