With our research in place, it was time to bring the JF-17 Thunder to life in the makers studio. But here was the challenge: jets had never been designed in leather before. That meant we couldn’t look at direct examples. So we studied DIY aircraft kits in other materials, like the wooden jets by BrandCraft and Vector Painter, to understand the possibilities of form and structure.

From there, we focused on the real JF-17 itself. We studied its aspect ratios, dimensions, wing area, cockpit placement, and even missile points. Every detail mattered, because our goal was to translate a powerful jet into a playful, buildable form.

We began sketching and experimenting with different ways the design could work—layering pieces to create a 3D effect, arranging planes in various orientations, testing interlocking mechanisms, and exploring variations with different types of leather. Dozens of prototypes were made, each one testing a new possibility.

Most of this work was done using buffalo crust leather, since it was sturdy enough to hold form. We kept the models plain white so the focus stayed on shape, balance, and connections, rather than surface finish.

These prototype exercises were one of the most significant parts of the design process, as they laid the foundation for what came next…