Fishy

We were asked to tinker with materials from the sea and propose a potential use of the material in a product or application. My group and I worked with fish skin and turned it into fish leather using natural non-toxic tanning methods.

We did the research together and decided to create one product each. I created a lamp with a shade made of fish leather.

Team mates:

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 the final product.

Exploring how to make fish skin was done as a group.

Eww... Fish skin, really?!

Photo by: Ieva Mikutaite

Tinkering with materials and methods

User testing

As the material did not smell or feel slimy like they expected, most users were intrigued. When doing blind tests, most users thought it was an exotic animal leather like alligators and snakes.

I learned that the material is so interesting that the shape itself should be simple.

Photos by: Ieva Mikutaite

Why a lamp?

The unique light properties of the un-softened leather creates a calm relaxing warm light in the room, perfect for ambient mood light.

The Feel

The lamp has a typical Norwegian cabin feel with a modern twist.

It is targeted towards environmentally conscious people who want quality long-lasting products.

Working With Fish Skin

Fish skin has very different attributes in the different parts of the process. To be able to sew in it, it needs to be wet. Then it goes from being crisp and hard to becoming flexible. When it dies again it will shrink considerably.

Final Product

Making of first prototype

The products were made in line with the values and aesthetics of the fictional company Fishy. A website was created to demonstrate the business model of the company.

Visit the Fishy prototype website

At the Fishy
Half fish
Half waste product