Fruits from my Grandmother
Featuring five fruits native to Asian regions, this collection offers five different picnic accessories:
a drink carrier, fruit tray, picnic tote, carafe, and paperweight vase.
Experiencing distance from overseas family during COVID-19, I became reminiscent of my summers growing up with relatives in China. Designed to highlight the memory of waking up early to accompany my grandma to the farmers market, each fruit utilizes material and texture to mimics distinct features and translate them into various objects.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Accessory Design
Spring 2021
Pomelo | drink carrier Incorporating the texture and duality of color, the wooden base allows for wine bottles to sit upright, with a drawstring feature to assist a secure fit.
Dragon Fruit | serving tray Like a dragon fruit sliced in half, this ceramic tray reflects the pattern of the flesh in glaze and color. The ring serves as side wall in a fruit bowl but also as a handle to be carried.
Asian Pear | picnic tote The packaging of this fruit is what makes it so distinctive. The round shape and wicker rattan are intended to mimic this texture. With a soft lining on the interior, the shape also lends itself to packing plates for picnicking. Turn the bag on its side to utilize the hard surface as a riser for elevated plating.
Lychee | carafe The experience of peeling open a lychee always felt parallel to discovering a large pearl. The placement of the lychee “sphere” replicated that of a pearl, which one must engage with to open the lid.
Persimmon | paperweight vase The leaves of a persimmon, resembling dried eucalyptus, paired perfectly with the silhouette of the fruit as a vase. Counteracting things drifting away during an outdoor picnic, this ceramic vase functions as a paperweight for your picnic blanket or small items.
