Putting for pages: Vonnegut prompts Eskenazi mini-golf challenge for Granfalloon

A plane wreck, an ice-nine apocalypse, and an atomic bomb research journey are all obstacles you might encounter in a mini-golf course inspired by Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle." The installation, designed and built entirely by students in an eight-week intensive course called “VonneGolf,” transforms a classic work of literature into an interactive journey through satire, science, and absurdity. 

Led by Maxwell Fertik, a lecturer in comprehensive design at the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, and Design in the College of Arts and Sciences, the VonneGolf studio course was a collaboration with the IU Arts and Humanities Council, which hosts Granfalloon: a Kurt Vonnegut Convergence. Since 2018, the annual spring festival has hosted exhibitions, performances, lectures, and screenings across city and campus that are inspired by the Hoosier-born author. The VonneGolf studio invited students to conceptualize, prototype, and fabricate a working mini-golf course inspired by the themes, aesthetics, and narrative arc of Kurt Vonnegut's iconic novel. 

"This is real-world design with a literary twist. The students aren't just creating a project for class; they're building a public experience with which hundreds of people will interact," Fertik said. "Here, the students had a real client, a real deadline, and the added twist of translating a book into a playable environment." 

The entire playable mini-golfcourse will debut during the 2025 Granfalloon Festival in downtown Bloomington April-June, but lucky visitors to the IU Arts and Humanities Council’s First Thursday festival on the Fine Arts Plaza on April 3 will get apreview. 

Diving into dystopia

Published in 1963, Kurt Vonnegut's "Cat's Cradle"is a dark, satirical novel that explores the folly of human systems, science, religion, and government. Narrated by an aspiring writer investigating the life of a scientist who helped invent the atomic bomb, the book weaves together humor, dystopia, and existential reflection. A native of Indiana and one of the most beloved and influential American authors of the 20th century, Vonnegut is known for his blend of science fiction, social critique, and biting wit.

At the start of the semester, the 13 students in theVonneGolf studio dove into the dystopian satire by creating story analysis and mood boards.In true studio fashion, the students were divided into teams focused on concept development, CAD design, fabrication, and graphics. 

One of the biggest challenges the students encountered was visualizing a pictureless book. That challenge was also the source of abundant freedom. With no existing imagery to reference, students had to invent their own visual language, turning Vonnegut's abstract satire into tangible forms and playful design. "Everyone had different interpretations of the book, so finding a shared language took time," said Skyler Budd, a member of the concept team. The team leaned on collaborative platforms, like Miro boards and 3D modeling software, to unite their ideas. 

Taking a concept into three dimensions

The concept team helped organize workflow and cross-pollinate ideas between students.Once the concepts were solidified, the modeling and CAD team began transforming them into buildable structures. Students used Fusion 360 and Rhino to create detailed 3D models of each hole and its components, including exploded isometric drawings, renderings, and blueprints for fabrication. "We took 2D sketches from the concept group and translated them into scalable 3D forms," Raquel Perez explained. "Every measurement, curve, and obstacle had to be carefully planned before a single piece of wood was cut." 

Fabrication took place in the Eskenazi School wood and metal shop, where students handled everything from CNC routing and laser-cutting to painting, sanding, and assembling. "Seeing the cardboard prototypes evolve into real structures was so satisfying,” said Gabriel Sollars, a lead on the fabrication team. “It's different from digital projects. Having the wood shop as our classroom made all the difference."

"This was the first time many of us worked in this kind of collaborative build environment," added Skyler Atkins, "and we had to figure out how to construct these playful, complex structures that were also portable and weather resistant."  

Each hole was designed to break down into manageable pieces for easy transportation and reassembly. During the Granfalloon Festival, each hole will be installed at a different downtown location, encouraging players to explore the city as part of the game itself. "Some of them are deceptively simple,” said one student. “Some will make you want to read the book out of sheer curiosity."  

Designing VonneGolf's visual identity

Meanwhile, the graphics team designed everything from the map/poster zine to hole-specific icons and a retro-futuristic visual identity. Inspired by Vonnegut's own pen sketches and mid-century design, the team created a bold palette and modular signage. "We looked at everything from risograph textures to atomic-age matchbook covers," said Zoe Nourie, one of the designers. "The visual identity was just as important as the structure. We wanted people to feel immersed in Vonnegut's world before they even picked up a club." 

The fold-out zine doubles as a scorecard and map, guiding players across Bloomington during Granfalloon. Holes will be placed at locations including the Monroe County Public Library, the Waldron Arts Center, and the Monroe County Courthouse square. For First Thursday, the course will live temporarily in one place, offering a taste of what's to come. 

When a whimsical project is a real deliverable

What sets this studio apart, students agreed, wasn’tjust its creativity, butthe accountability built in. "Knowing this would be seen and played by real people added pressure, but also purpose," one student said. "This isn't a classroom presentation; it's an experience we're delivering to the community." 

As a hybrid of public art, design practice, and literary homage, VonneGolf exemplifies the interdisciplinary ethos of the Eskenazi School. For students, it offers more than portfolio material. It's proof that design can be meaningful, functional, and fun.

Play a round on April 3 at First Thursday, and see how Vonnegut's chaotic genius translates into turf, tunnels, and 3D-printed obstacles. Just watch out for ice-nine!