Shreya Paliwal

Materials: Gelatin, glycerin, agar (used initially for experiments), food-grade coloring, Kombucha culture (for texture exploration)

This material exploration combined two processes: creating sustainable tea pods using gelatin-based bioplastic and exploring kombucha textures for aesthetic branding. By growing kombucha on black chai tea with sugar, I experimented with thin layers on textured surfaces and promoted mold infiltration to achieve unique dotted patterns. The dried kombucha textures offer rich visual elements, both in wet and dry states, which can enhance brand design. Simultaneously, the gelatin tea pods utilized glycerin for flexibility and food coloring for categorization, producing dissolvable, waste-free tea packaging. Together, these explorations reflect a sustainable approach to material design, integrating functionality and visual storytelling.