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Amalie W. Jensen
Fishy
In collaboration with:
Sasha Gonzales
Ieva Mikutaite
Ziao Peng (Yoyo)
Course: Material Narratives
Nov-Dec 2022​
​My role:
Website
Prototyping
3D modelling and technical drawings
Design and user testing of final product
Exploring how to make fish skin was done as a group.
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What?
Fish skin is a waste product from the fish industry, typically thrown away in organic waste or turned into pet food.
Why?
There is plenty of fish in the sea, or at least there was. Bottom trawling, pollution, and overfishing are leading to the environmental collapse of the oceans, and there is not enough being done about it.
The process
![IMG_2791[2149]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c79a47_1a5227a84530491c8294faf46e2bf8d7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c79a47_1a5227a84530491c8294faf46e2bf8d7~mv2.jpg)
![IMG_2801[2145]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c79a47_a6df53797ea747d68e0b016b04209282~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c79a47_a6df53797ea747d68e0b016b04209282~mv2.jpg)
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How might we create an appealing product for everyday use using fish leather, helping to break assumptions about the material and spread awareness about the damaging effects of the fishing industry?
Design solution
Different shades for different moods
The lamp shade consists of three different leather pieces tanned using two different tanning processes. The difference in colour allows for the lamp to be used as ambient light (dark vegetable tanned leather) as well as reading light (light oil tanned leather)
Replaceable light socket
The Socket is easy to install and replace. The lamp will not be sold with a light socket, encouraging users to buy a used one themselves to minimize waste.
All natural materials
Aside from the socket itself, the lamp consists of all-natural materials.
Un-softened leather
Fish leather is typically softened after it has been tanned to give it leather-like properties. However, this leather is not softened to let the light penetrate and to simplify one of the more energy-intensive steps in the production process.
QR-code for more info
At the bottom, there is a laser-cut QR code and the brand name. This leads to the website, where the user can learn how to care for the product, get repair tips, and learn about the damaging effects of the fishing industry.
Taking it one step further
As an extension of the visual identity for the fictional company "FISHY" created by communication designer Ziao Peng for this course, I created a prototype of a website demonstrating the business model of FISHY.
The products were made in line with the values and aesthetics of the fictional company Fishy. All profits made from sales help fund marine research. On the fishy website, the customers can read more about the values of the company, how they can make their own fish leather and how they themselves can take action today.
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