SEAD — the statue that lives — Aitor Westerlund Angue

Overview

“Create an interior decoration, completely biodegradable, made out of seaweed bioplastic.”

As part of a four-person student team, I contributed to a conceptual research project focused on developing home décor from seaweed bioplastics. The goal was to merge aesthetic design with sustainable material innovation. My key responsibilities included material research, experimentation, prototyping and leading the design visualisation through 3D modelling and rendering.

Client: BlueBlocks
Duration: 5 months
Team: Group project, a team of four students
Main parts: Research, sketching, modelling, rendering, UI

Inception

Context

Oil-based plastics have received criticism for their part in global pollution and environmental damage. The client, BlueBlocks, sees the potential of using biodegradable, natural substitutes to create in-home décorations. The primary material they want to use is seaweed bioplastic, and they want a product that connects the user with the material.

The problem

The target group is unaware of the potential seaweed bioplastics have for the future of home décor. There is not enough variety of these products for people to even consider them an alternative to traditional plastic, so they are rarely found in people’s homes. The aim: creating a biodegradable decorative centrepiece.

Line drawing of a woman placing a plant pot as a centrepiece on a low table in a light living room.

Co-creating with the consumers

To understand the needs of the consumers and focus on a target group, as a team we conducted multiple co-creation sessions. In each session, we asked possible consumers around the ages of 18 to 50 for their opinion on the possible products and their interest in the subject.

The results led to the idea of creating a small figure made out of seaweed that could be sold seasonally, and that could teach consumers about the marine environment and the impact they might have on it.

Screenshot of an online co-creation session with twelve participants, faces blurred.

“Something that can be moved around and placed anywhere in my house would be nice.”

“I would like something that connects the product to the nature.”

“Make it have multiple colour choices so it can be used in different houses.”

“I think the product should be transparent in order to represent the ocean.”

Target group

People between 18 and 40, living in the coastal cities of South Holland (The Hague and Rotterdam), middle to higher income, who feel a connection to the sea.

Ideation

Inspiration

Two ideas rose as the clearest groups to focus on: products designed to contain plants, and products with a connection to sea animals, because of the material’s connection to the sea. The ideas merged, giving a clear direction.

The main inspiration was geometric shapes without rough textures. For the statue itself, we chose the sea turtle, known as an ambassador for sea protection and sustainability.

Black-and-white moodboard of sea turtles, ceramic vases, plants and smooth stones, with a palette of blue, green, orange and yellow.

Focusing on the sea

We decided to go with a concept fully inspired by the sea. As the ideation evolved, the concept started to take shape.

SeaweedMaterial of the product
Sea turtleAnimal ambassador of the sea and the damage caused by plastic pollution
SeedPlanting the seed for a sustainable future

Material experimentation

At the same time, we ran experiments to create seaweed bioplastic, using a simple mixture of agar, glycerine and different volumes of water. With each test, we adapted, developed and evolved the concept into a feasible idea.

First try
½ tsp glycerine, 4 tsp agar, more water added for consistency.
Second try
1 tsp (5 ml) glycerine, 4 tsp (20 ml) agar, 60 ml hot water.
Third try
½ tsp glycerine, 4 tsp agar, 200 ml cold water.

A small translucent amber-coloured bioplastic turtle held on a fingertip.

Solution

Fits where life grows

The size of an apple, the statue can be placed anywhere in your house, and you can see the plant grow from within. The statue is made of seaweed bioplastic with a natural blue dye.

Render: 2020 render of the SEAD turtle: a pale blue translucent body with a sand-coloured faceted shell and a hexagonal opening, on a white background.

In different colours

Made in different colours, so it can be used in different houses: one of the wishes from the co-creation sessions.

Render: Four renders of the turtle figure in blue, green, orange and yellow, each on a matching pastel set with a shell beside it.

Render: Two turtle figures, blue and green, on round white plinths.

AI-enhanced render: Render of three faceted sea-turtle figures in translucent pastel blue, green and orange, each with a sand-coloured fibre shell with a hexagonal planting opening, floating among white plaster spheres and arches in front of a warm off-white wall lit by window light.

Packaging

Like the statue, the packaging is made of 90% recycled, biodegradable cardboard mixed with pulverised seaweed, a nutrient-rich, biodegradable material. Inside, a small pack of earth and seeds comes with the statue to simplify planting.

Render: A closed kraft-cardboard box printed with the SEAD name.

Render: The open box: the lid, an insert with two seed sachets, and the turtle figure.

Render: The box with its lid off, the insert and the turtle standing beside it.

In context

AI-enhanced render: The SEAD turtle in frosted, translucent pale-blue bioplastic with a faceted MDF shell holding a trailing plant, in a glass dish on a wooden sideboard.

Render: Studio render of the blue turtle figure with a pale shell on a round sandy base with grass, the letters SEAD behind it.

SEAD — the statue that lives