DESIGN NAME: The Bleaching Skin
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Accessory
INSPIRATION: The phenomenon of coral bleaching has become widespread across the world, yet we lack consensus on their ecological significance and the dangerous situation they face.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The primary cause of coral bleaching is global warming. Corals thrive at temperatures between 20-30°C, which coincidentally aligns with the ideal temperature range for human habitation. Based on this characteristic, the designer has created accessories using thermochromic materials, so that the wearer can experience the reactions of corals in different environments and arouse people's empathy.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The accessory is designed to interact with the wearer by responding to body temperature changes. As the wearer moves through different environments, the thermochromic material shifts in color, providing real-time feedback that emulates the natural response of corals. In the design process, overcoming challenges such as calibrating the sensitivity of the material was crucial to ensure consistent performance.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: Created between February and April 2024 in London, and won the first prize at Asia Design Week in August 2024.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The shape of the colorful coral and the coral reef is generated using parametric tools, and adaptive adjustments are made in ZBrush. The coral material is a bioplastic extracted from algae, mixed with thermochromic materials, and pressed into plastic sheets. These sheets are then laser-cut and manually assembled. The coral reef section is 3D printed. Preliminary tests on the thermochromic response have demonstrated that the material changes hue within seconds under variable temperature conditions.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: PROPERTIES: 420mmx330mmx260mm
TAGS: Wearable Design,Parametric Design,Thermochromic Technology,Coral Bleaching,Environmental Awareness,Sustainable Fashion,Conceptual Accessory
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: "The Bleaching Skin: Thermochromic Imitation Coral Accessory" is an experimental wearable design that addresses the environmental crisis of coral reef bleaching. By incorporating thermochromic materials, the accessory mimics the shifting hues of coral as ocean temperatures rise. This color-transforming feature not only showcases advanced material research but also symbolizes the fragility of marine ecosystems. Grounded in biomimicry principles, the design process fuses fashion, sculpture, and technology to create an immersive, sensory experience for both wearer and viewer. Through iterative prototyping, the project refines complex structural forms that echo coral morphology, reinforcing an emotional connection to oceanic habitats. The goal is to provoke reflection on climate change’s impact and encourage discourse about sustainable solutions. In doing so, "The Bleaching Skin" offers a new perspective on how wearable art can transcend mere aesthetics and become a catalyst for environmental awareness and ecological innovation.
CHALLENGE: -
ADDED DATE: 2025-03-06 05:01:15
TEAM MEMBERS (3) : Yiming Cheng, Jie Sun and Weiling Tao
IMAGE CREDITS: Yiming Cheng, Jie Sun and Weiling Tao, 2024.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Copyrights belong to Yiming Cheng
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