Droplet

This project responds to the theme of ‘surface’ through the lens of water and the ocean. I was inspired to represent the vast deep blue in my design after encountering a pod of dolphins in the Derwent River while on a walk after my first design class of semester 2, 2020.

Encouraged to improvise with sustainable materials which can be sourced locally, I proceeded to use sea glass as the hero material in my design. A little pebble cove in Taroona became the sole provider of the sea glass which I worked with. For one week, I returned there daily, collecting the newly washed up, weathered and smoothened glass. Selecting one piece of sea glass of each hue collected, the variations are liken to the colours of the rainbow. The cellophane origami balloons each enclosing one piece of sea glass showcase the found objects in their simple, natural form.

Droplet is an ephemeral piece of design which is constantly shifting. With time, the cellophane will yellow and degrade in the sun. The sea glass however will retain its qualities for many years to come, perhaps ending up on another pebbly shore one day, waiting to be discovered by another creator.