Emelie Ågren

Emelie is a designer with a material-centered approach. Her practice revolves around processes and methodological experiments, where the outcome of these processes are crucial for the product application. Her aesthetic expression blurs the line between art and design.

She previously obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Konstfack, Sweden.

Exhibitions:

Milan Design Week, “Support systems”, 2022.

RCA Work in progress show, 2022.

Konstfack Spring exhibition, 2020

Liljevalchs, Spring salon, 2009

I am a London-based designer with an interest in material exploration. My projects usually centres around the human / object relationship and how materials play an important role in this. I find it interesting to challenge the current norms of how materials are used, and like to test the limits of their performance.

I draw inspiration from nature particularly from the northern part of Sweden, where I originally come from. I also like to use photography and film as a way of creating a narrative around my concepts, objects and to set the context. My interests within the field of product design has in the past couple of years been materials and sustainable development. I believe experimenting with materials is a way of making new discoveries that can lead to innovation when it comes to product development and manufacturing. Another area related to sustainability I believe is important to address is how changing the relationship between humans and objects are vital, and to reduce the perception of products as throw-away objects.

This is an experimental material project with an emphasis on Colour Material Finish (CMF). This project creates a narrative around how you can use a material with a limited lifespan to make a disposable product feel more meaningful. The motivation behind this is the fact that the objects we are using for a shorter period of time are typically not leaving an impression on us; even with good intentions, we still dispose of them.

This bio-composite material has been developed over the last 6 months. Supported by bioplastic and bio-thread, a number of experiments are revealing how these materials can be put into different processes. This series of objects related to the concept showcase the diverse properties of the bio-composite and demonstrate that biomaterials can stand on their own and don’t need other materials to support them.

Some objects are only meant to be temporary, but is it possible for us to still connect with them more significantly, and can a disposable product have an impact on us?

The very first soft eggshell composite sample.

Starting out with an eggshell composite recipe, with the aim to try to replicate concrete, an accidental discovery happened when pouring leftover from a batch into an organic shape. The potential of a more softer material very far from what was intended emerged.

Since then the material has evolved through different processes of adding natural dyes, and how these have not only affected the colour of the material but also the properties. Changing proportions and casting at different temperatures has been important factors as well.

Adding charcoal to the mix was something that opened up a lot of possibilities for this material. The same formula can produce so many different outcomes. A soft, textile like material. A flexible but yet hard material. A stiff material that can provide structure.

By adapting the amount of charcoal in the mixture, you end up with different shades of grey. No matter if the batch is poured freely or in controlled moulds, the material itself will determine the outcome of the shape through its bending during the drying process.

Necklace with solid perfume ball. By rubbing the ball on the material, you wear your perfume through the necklace.

Due to the materials current short life span, the material could be applied to products that are disposable in some way. A perfume is a product that are prone to run out after a certain amount of time, but instead of throwing away the container, you could keep it, renew it, recycle it in the form of this material.

The application could be expanded to other type of products, as this is only one example of what can be made.

Lasercutting

Recycled sample

Welded sample

This section will cover some of the processes that this material has been put through.

Emelie Ågren

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Royal College of Art