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Dan Narva, owner of Etsy shop Nine Day Weekend<\/a>, \u201cenjoys showing people a new way of looking at familiar images.\u201d From how he can design a coaster to how he can illustrate custom laser engraved<\/a> wall art, Dan\u2019s artistic interpretation puts a fresh take on classic products.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever been to any of the 59 U.S. National Parks, you\u2019ve experienced the awe that comes from spectacular scenery and the breathtaking beauty of the wilderness. You probably also dropped some coin at the visitors\u2019 center on professionally photographed postcards. And you most likely took sooo many pics yourself that you filled up your phone\u2019s memory. Or, if you\u2019re old school, used more rolls of film than you\u2019d like to admit!<\/p>\n Everything you need to know about prototyping your product ideas<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get it all here<\/a><\/div>\n So it\u2019s fair to say that photographing the National Parks has been done. Check!<\/p>\n But is there another way to capture the essence of the parks that hasn\u2019t been done before?<\/p>\n That was the challenge that piqued Dan\u2019s creative curiosity. \u201cI have always enjoyed creating art both as a personal exercise and also as gifts for family and friends,\u201d he says. \u201cI had previously drawn many pointillist portraits with ink. When I tried to replicate my process on the computer, I shifted from dots to straight lines. But the challenge remained: How to create a recognizable image with the abstract simplicity of only straight lines.\u201d<\/p>\n Then the answer finally came. \u201cI woke up early one morning with the idea that I could \u2018draw\u2019 the Grand Canyon simply by dividing the name in half and spreading each half to the far edges of the page,\u201d Dan explains. \u201cAs I laid in bed, waiting for the alarm clock to go off, I tried to come up with similar solutions to other National Parks. I found this challenge very exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the course of the following months, Dan kept going back to the drawing board, literally, working on the designs. If unfamiliar with a particular park, he\u2019d read up to get a better sense of what features he could illustrate. Sometimes he would work at the computer. Other times he\u2019d sketch ideas on random scraps of paper. And of course ideas would flow in the most inspiring of places: The shower<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI shared drafts with my wife and a close friend, refining every park\u2019s design so that while each puzzle might range from easy to difficult to decipher, they all used the same visual language to create a series that worked well as a complete collection,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n The result is an enlightened series of pictograms, unique illustrations that depict recognizable features of each of the 59 U.S. National Parks, composed entirely of the letters that spell out each park’s name.<\/p>\n Some of the designs showcase the physical geography of the parks, such as these six coasters made from white melamine finished MDF<\/a>:<\/p>\n Can you decipher the park names? Here\u2019s some help:<\/p>\n 1. Acadia (Maine – Cadillac Mountain, campsite) Other designs depict the indigenous wildlife that make their homes in the parks, such as these coasters made out of cork<\/a>.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll recognize the first design from above. It\u2019s cool to see it in both white melamine and natural cork for comparison. Can you figure out the rest? Here\u2019s the key to see if you\u2019re right:<\/p>\n 1. American Samoa (American Samoa – scuba diver, coral and octopus) When designing these coasters, Dan wanted to offer a couple different materials so customers would have options depending on use, d\u00e9cor and aesthetic preferences. \u201cCork obviously works great for coasters, and I love the way the area engraving contrasts with the natural cork texture,\u201d he explains. \u201cThe white melamine coasters tend to work best with drinks that don’t perspire (such as wine glasses). Many customers prefer this option because of how sturdy and modern it looks.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to coasters, Dan has expanded the National Parks line to include a collection of magnets. These smaller versions of each of the 59 designs are laser cut in birch plywood<\/a>, which has a nice warm tone when engraved. He chose birch because of its reasonable price point, the attractive wood grain and the ability to fit 32 magnets onto a single P3 sheet.<\/p>\n What\u2019s great about this kind of line extension is that you can offer complementary products without having to develop completely new designs. Between the magnets and the two types of materials for coasters, customers have the option to mix and match products so they can collect all of their favorite parks. Fun!<\/p>\n One way we humans remember special moments and relive past triumphs is through photographs. In the past, you could walk into any home and see family pictures proudly displayed. But in today\u2019s digital world, unfortunately, most pics live only on our phones and are rarely printed out and framed.<\/p>\n Once again, Dan saw a challenge\u2014and opportunity\u2014in finding a new way to look at the familiar. \u201cInstead of just framing photos, why not turn them into a piece of art?\u201d Dan asked himself.<\/p>\n So he began looking at ways he could transform photographs into custom images that are laser-cut into a solid piece of wood. \u201cI wanted to create a way to break free of the Facebook\/Instagram pattern of fleeting photos that pass in and out of our lives as quickly as a swipe of the thumb,\u201d he says. \u201cLaser cutting portraits creates a piece of art that can be hung on a wall, set atop a mantle or snuggled among books on a shelf.\u201d<\/p>\n Creating this kind of portrait solidifies favorite memories in a way that\u2019s different from a simple printed photo. While these mementos are perfect for milestones\u2014buying your first car, graduating college, getting married, having a baby, running a marathon, summiting a mountain\u2014but they\u2019re just as suited for a fave selfie with your bestie.<\/p>\n For these custom portraits, Dan offers three Veneer MDF options: Cherry<\/a>, walnut<\/a>, and white oak<\/a>. \u201cI chose these three because of cost and physical attributes,\u201d he explains. \u201cVeneer MDF is less expensive than premium veneer MDF, and I prefer its natural finish to the glossy premium surface. It is also thicker than premium, which helps to avoid warping.\u201d<\/p>\n To get a sense of what his artistic representations of customers’ photographs look like laser cut into wood, check out this reproduction of a couple\u2019s wedding photo.<\/p>\n He even captured the sweet gaze between them. Love is in the air!<\/p>\n Next, check out how architectural details really come through beautifully in this portrait done for a new home buyer.<\/p>\n Can you imagine getting something like this from your real estate agent as a housewarming gift? Hello referrals!<\/p>\n While it may look like Dan has tons of experience with laser cutting, that wasn\u2019t the case when he got started in the fall of 2016. In fact, after Dan created the first digital designs of what would eventually turn into his line of custom portraits, he wasn\u2019t entirely sure how to present the final product.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn’t want to simply print them out, and it occurred to me that laser cutting<\/a> was becoming a more accessible option for the general public,\u201d he says. \u201cOn a whim, I searched online and found Ponoko, which looked like the best option around in terms of price, speed and materials.\u201d<\/p>\n Dan had never used a laser cutter before and was eager to see how his art would look burned into wood. While he could have joined a maker space or local studio, he says the downside of being responsible for buying his own materials just wasn\u2019t an attractive option.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the beginning, I liked how self-contained the entire process was with Ponoko,\u201d he says. \u201cI also liked the variety of materials available, which allowed me to experiment and shift courses along the way. In fact, I’ve adjusted my ordering process several times in order to keep costs down. This includes arranging components<\/a> to make the laser time as efficient as possible. It’s actually been a fun challenge to see how I can reduce unit costs<\/a> while keeping my designs the same. And in some cases, I actually adjusted my artistic vision in order to make the final product’s cost align with the original goal.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the ways Dan knows if he is on track with costs is through digital prototyping<\/a>. \u201cI love how easy it is to mock up an order and see exactly how much it will cost. I often do this with drafts in order to get a general sense of cost,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd the lack of minimum order size allows me to experiment with many materials and produce test versions of new products\u2014all without requiring a large investment.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the things Dan says he has been most excited about is how quickly he can cultivate an idea and turn it into a tangible product. \u201cAs I developed my National Parks series over several months, I could periodically order magnets and coasters of all the new designs I created,\u201d he says. \u201cThis allowed me to increase my collection of inventory smoothly along the way instead of waiting until I had all 59 Parks complete and then manufacturing the products.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s also interesting to note that Dan\u2019s creative strategy allows him to stay true to his vision while also keeping Ponoko’s processes in mind. \u201cThe more I’ve worked with Ponoko, the easier it is for me to know how to adjust or nudge my project in whatever direction is best suited for laser cutting, whether this means keeping costs low, deciding between line and area engraving<\/a> or just having a feel for what sort of image will look good laser cut into wood,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n What advice does Dan have if you\u2019d like to make your own coasters, magnets or wall art? \u201cOnly use area engraving if it’s necessary to the product, and try your best to line up all of your area engraving horizontally in order to minimize the time spent burning these sections,\u201d he recommends. \u201cAnd whenever possible, group orders together to take advantage of free shipping and discounted laser cutting rates. I usually do this by making prototypes in small orders<\/a>, followed by large orders of finished products.\u201d<\/p>\n All makers have to find that sweet spot where their creative interests intersect with a need in the marketplace, especially for those selling the products they make.<\/p>\n For Dan, he was able to recognize the American public\u2019s growing interest and attendance in the National Parks<\/a> since their centennial year was celebrated in 2016. He was able to tap into this trend by creating a product line to honor the increased interest in the parks while depicting them in an original way. And there will always be a market for custom illustration as consumers continue to look for original gift ideas that can\u2019t be purchased at the local retailer.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re currently selling your custom laser cut products or are considering it, challenge yourself to see how you can look at the familiar in a different way. This is true no matter what products your make and sell whether you want to make your own coasters, design jewelry<\/a>, sell electronics enclosures<\/a> or anything in between. What trends are happening right now where you live? How does your creativity and artistic interpretation lend itself to fulfilling a need? This process worked for Dan. It can work for you, too.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To learn more about Dan and keep up with what he is making at Nine Day Weekend, check out his Instagram<\/a> and Etsy shop<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n If You Want To Make Your Own Coasters, Magnets Or Wall Art, See How Etsy Seller Nine Day Weekend Has Laser Cut His Own Niche<\/p>\n Dan Narva, owner of Etsy shop Nine Day Weekend, \u201cenjoys showing people a new way of looking at familiar images.\u201d From how he can design a coaster to how he can illustrate custom laser engraved wall art, Dan\u2019s artistic interpretation puts a fresh take on classic products.<\/p>\n Picturing U.S.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1066,5796],"tags":[5783,5887,5908],"class_list":["post-54304","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-maker-success-stories","category-design-ideas","tag-coasters","tag-magnets","tag-wall-decor"],"yoast_head":"\nPicturing U.S. National Parks In A New Way<\/h3>\n
\nThe ultimate guide to prototyping<\/h2>\n
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\n2. American Samoa (American Samoa – scuba diver, coral and octopus)
\n3. Arches (Utah – Delicate Arch)
\n4. Badlands (South Dakota – eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires)
\n5. Big Bend (Texas – Balanced Rock)
\n6. Biscayne (Florida – lighthouse)<\/p>\n![\"Make](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Make-Your-Own-Coasters-2-Nine-Day-Weekend-Cork-Coasters.jpg\")
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\n2. Congaree (South Carolina – rattlesnake)
\n3. Dry Tortugas (Florida – sea turtle)
\n4. Everglades (Florida – alligator)
\n5. Gates of the Arctic (Alaska – caribou and mountains)
\n6. Glacier Bay (Alaska – humpback whale)<\/p>\n![\"Make](\"https:\/\/www.ponoko.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Make-Your-Own-Coasters-3-Nine-Day-Weekend-Magnets.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSolidifying Favorite Memories In Wood<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWorking With Ponoko<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nFinding Your Niche<\/h3>\n