DBM200: Unexpected Material Engagement
PeakPeel
[material driven design]
March 2023 - May 2023
Today, oranges are imported in great quantities to The Netherlands from South Africa and Egypt. Oranges are some of the most-consumed fruits in the Netherlands especially in freshly squeezed juice form.
These juicing machines are available at every supermarket. At the TU/e there is a large waste stream of juiced oranges from the on-campus Spar. Oranges are rich in vitamin c, help with collagen formation, are antioxidant absorbent and rejuvenating amongst other things.
These juicing machines are available at every supermarket. At the TU/e there is a large waste stream of juiced oranges from the on-campus Spar. Oranges are rich in vitamin c, help with collagen formation, are antioxidant absorbent and rejuvenating amongst other things.
In this material-driven-design exploration, orange was was processed as the primary ingredient of a care product for the climbing community at TU Eindhoven. The aim was to create an alternative understanding of the material and its societal implications and reflect on the complex interplay between the material and its relations.
Peakpeel transcends the ordinary by embracing the essence of hyper-localism. By sourcing waste orange peels from our immediate community we are not only ensuring the freshest ingredients, but have also created a formula that is both environmentally conscious and socially responsible. Through this commitment to hyper-localism, we’ve unlocked a deeper connection to our community and the planet - we create small batches and adapt to seasonal changes- making sure that every piece is crafted with utmost care and attention. Care is not
only a focus in terms of maintaining and fixing human ailments, but also has strong notions associated with appreciating and embracing. This is more than just a skin care product - it’s a reflection of our values, our community, and our commitment to a sustainable future.
only a focus in terms of maintaining and fixing human ailments, but also has strong notions associated with appreciating and embracing. This is more than just a skin care product - it’s a reflection of our values, our community, and our commitment to a sustainable future.
Right: material explorations
Final Product: PeakPeel
Through this course, I sought to deepen my understanding of C&A, aiming to adapt my design process to unlock the social and environmental value in biodesign. C&A means forging aesthetic interactions using materials creatively, leveraging livingness and interdependent temporalities, and designing how we act around what is yet to be imagined.
Having a material driven approach allowed me to maintain a strong and haptic designerly connection with materials while tinkering, processing and making with various food waste streams. By treating materials as situated and creative entities, I explored their interaction possibilities and affordances. This approach revealed new design opportunities, such as the orange peel packaging, where iterative tinkering with waste peels using different processing techniques uncovered novel forms, interactions, and aesthetics.
Using one ingredient (oranges) for all aspects of the care product enabled a design process where the form, texture, aroma, interaction, context, and emergent discussions were a result of a thorough investigation of the ingredient’s origin, history, and material and social characteristics. This resulted in a very bottom up design process. However, while I gravitate towards bottom-up processes, I often recognize the need to balance them with a strong, top-down vision.
Competency development
