Psyche Inspired: Alexa Jones

Institution: Arizona State University

Major: Computer Science & Mechanical Engineering

Psyche Inspired Class: 2024-2025

Reflections on Psyche Inspired

Reflections on Project 1: Inside Psyche

Inside Psyche

Alexa Jones

November 18th, 2024

Major: MEcahnical Engineering

Genre/Medium: Digital Art; Animation; Procreate

About the work:

My first project for Psyche Inspired is called Inside Psyche, which is inspired off of the intro from the Netflix animated show “Inside Job.” The intro is very unique compared to other animated shows, with a lot of dynamic movements and transitions that I was interested in. I absolutely love art and animation, and I was determined to create an animated piece around the Psyche spacecraft. Inside Job happens to be a show I adore (I’m still sad it was canceled), and I thought it would be nice to commemorate the cartoon through a Psyche revamp. I attempted to utilize the same style as the intro to present viewers an animation/animatic type video that would show some of the scientific instruments on Psyche, some construction/development scenes, and the actual launch sequence showing each individual segment. My goal was to make the animation not only engaging but to make it informative whilst also telling a story. Read more…

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Reflections on Project 2: Psyche’s Cosmic Groove

Psyche’s Cosmic Groove

Alexa Jones

December 18th, 2024

Major: Computer Science & Mechanical Engineering

Genre/Medium: 2D Animation done on Procreate

About the work:

A few months ago, the song “Million Dollar Baby” was trending on social media and I scrolled through some fantastic edits using this track. I wanted to animate something to the beat, however I never found the material to use until I started making concept sketches for a Psyche spacecraft character, taking inspiration from fanart from the game “Jet Set Radio.”

The idea was to create a hip-hop skater girl character using the color palette of the Psyche logo, with references to the scientific instruments of the spacecraft. I took heavy consideration into her design, such as her sunglasses replicating the triple-junction solar cells, a minimized Psyche logo on her shirt, the protective coverings on the spacecraft being reflected on her pants, and hall thrusters on her roller blades. I also wanted the instruments of the spacecraft to be a part of her accessories, like the multispectral imager acting as an everyday camera and the magnetometer giving her extra power to ride the magnetic waves to the Psyche asteroid. I intended for the animation to be colorful, groovy and upbeat, hence the final title of the project becoming “Psyche’s Cosmic Groove.” All frames were hand drawn in Procreate on my iPad.

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Reflections on Project 3: Rollin’ to 16 Psyche

A clay sculpture of a skater girl, reimagining NASA’s Psyche spacecraft. She soars mid-air over the 16 Psyche asteroid, her rollerblades powered by hall thrusters. Sunglasses mimic solar cells, and sleek wings extend from her back. Painted in Psyche mission colors, the piece blends science and art, capturing the excitement of space exploration.

Rollin’ to 16 Psyche

Alexa Jones

Major: Computer Science & Mechanical Engineering

Genre/Medium: Air-Dry Clay w/ acrylic paint

About the work:

“Rollin’ to 16 Psyche” shows my imagining of NASA’s Psyche spacecraft as a hip-hop-style skater girl, bringing a groovy perspective to space exploration. This piece draws inspiration from my previous project, “Psyche’s Cosmic Groove,” an animation where I interpret the spacecraft as a stylized “groovy” character skating through space to find 16 Psyche. This clay sculpture physically brings my character’s design to life, capturing her energy as she orbits (or, in this case, jumps over) the asteroid.

The design stays true to the spacecraft’s functionality and use of its scientific instruments while still being expressive and maintaining the hip-hop aesthetic. Her sunglasses mimic the triple-junction solar cells, while her rollerblades, powered by hall thrusters, propel her through space, flying through the air with a set of solar cell wings attached to her back.

The asteroid and Psyche character sculptures have a wireframe with an aluminum foil base for structure and stability. Airdry clay was sculpted over this frame to form the final piece, and after a day of drying, the piece was hand-painted with acrylics to bring out the vibrant colors and details.

With Rollin’ to 16 Psyche, I wanted to merge scientific exploration with creative storytelling. I love being able to put my artistic spin on anything, really, and this space mission is no different. I intended to make space exploration seem fun and vibrant, and that’s not just something to study–it’s something to experience and imagine.

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Reflections on Project 4: Psyche Sticker Mayhem

Psyche Sticker Mayhem

Alexa Jones

Major: Computer Science & Mechanical Engineering

Genre/Medium: Procreate, StickerApp for Printing

About the work:

In my “Psyche Sticker Mayhem” project, inspiration for the work came from my growing attachment to the Psyche character I created in my previous projects. To me, she became not just a figure to represent the spacecraft but instead represented the energy of the mission itself. I wanted to reflect the scientific character of the Psyche mission and a fun, approachable attitude that would appeal to a broader audience.

The stickers were meant to have Psyche-related phrases, such as “metal to the core,” which relates to the fact that Psyche 16 is a metal alloy asteroid thought to be the core of a planetesimal. I then drew my Psyche character playing an electric guitar with magnetic waves radiating off her. I also included unique materials for these stickers, such as applying a holographic effect for the magnetic waves. In another sticker with the Psyche character’s head and the words “Psyche out of your Mind,” I made half of her head the Psyche asteroid (her mind) have a metallic effect on the physical sticker

I used Procreate to create the artwork. After I finalized the designs, I printed out the stickers with the StickersApp website, ensuring the stickers were of high quality and ready for mass distribution.

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