Joy Detonator

The Joy Detonator is a 'peace piece'.

I based the original design on a combination of stage smoke machine remotes and actual detonators from the cold war era. I wanted to make it more gadget-looking, so I added the light and infrared projector on top resembling a 1980's sci-fi design.

I started off with a simple cubic shape that I tried not to modify too much throughout the process. This aim allowed me to maintain the robust, old-school design while adding the buttons, levers, trigger and all the little details.

I created the textures using Substance Painter. My goal at this step was to achieve a realistic look with special care for roughness and damage - details, that can tell a story of an old weapon used for many years. I also paid attention to having distinct, yet similar materials ensuring recognizability and familiarity.

I am against violence of any kind, so I decided to include a message into the design instead of showing the detonator's original role. Despite its war-torn appearance, it's meant to be a reminder: when dealing with tough situations, we always hold the power of choosing one thought over another.