Frame the dome

A real shield isn't flat. The first job was building a curved skeleton: wedge-shaped segments meeting in the center, like an umbrella.

Skin it, then add the rings

Panels go over the frame, then a raised ring and star outline are built up on top. Tools and offcuts everywhere.

Carve the star

The center gets cut into foam: one circle, one five-point star. This is the part everyone looks at, so the lines have to be clean.

Oct 11: hardware store run for spray paint.

Test fit

Parts cut and painted separately, then stacked to check the fit before anything is glued for good.

Stencils + spray

Paper stencils for each color. Spray inside a cardboard box so the paint lands on the part, not the apartment.

Mask, paint, repeat

Finishing touches. Tape off the rings, hit them with paint, peel, check, do it again until every edge is crisp.