Ceramics

Breaking the Mold: Unique inspirations for products

Inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places. A simple window grill, something so common can give birth to an artisanal product design…. something that we did. Why look at existing work when inspiration is all around us? sometimes it can be hiding in plain sight. We just have to see it. Inspiration can be found in animals too. Shinkansen (the Japanese bullet train for example) was inspired by kingfisher birds. This is biomimicry! By mimicking nature, scientists and designers can often find innovative solutions that are sustainable, efficient, beautiful. Dresses, automobiles, buildings and even ceramics, all can have designs that are inspired by nature. In fact, some of the most functional designs are those that were inspired by nature, like Velcro. Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral was inspired by the way burrs (seed pods) stuck to his dog’s fur during a walk in the woods. This observation led to the invention of Velcro. He observed the hooks of the burrs and how they attached to the loops in the fabric of his dog’s coat! Who knows? Inspiration that may lead to the world’s greatest invention may be in front of you even right now!

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