With the continuous increase of plastic production and waste, we pollute our water, soil, and air to the point of micro-plastics contaminating our drinking water. Humans, animals, and entire ecosystems are negatively affected. From toxins leaching out to the actual plastic products being ingested by wildlife, it poses a serious threat to our planet and around 1 million species to extinction.
MUSH is a lunch box made out of agricultural hemp byproducts and mycelium (the vegetative part of fungus). The mycelium acts as a glue that binds the hemp together. It forms into any shape it is placed into. Compared to other lunch boxes in the market, ours is completely biodegradable. Being aware of the product’s life cycle is something a lot of manufacturers are unconscious about. We have designed MUSH boxes with the planet and our users in mind. With simple and clean lines, MUSH is easily customizable with interchangeable handles. A small step to change people’s habits will amass into a big improvement when a large population collectively reform the use of plastic and synthetic products out of their day to day lives.
Coasters were made as take-away pieces for the Capstone event that has been cancelled due to the pandemic. They are painted with milk paint and are completely compostable. The goal is to familiarize people with the material to get them to feel comfortable using them in their day-to-day lives.
A website was also created to provide more information about the products. If the product was for sale in the market, this would be the site where people can purchase the lunch boxes and handles.
A booklet was made to accompany the product once it has been purchased. It contains information such as what it is, how it's made, what sets us apart from other brands (life cycle of the product, grow your own), and find all the mush page.
The poster incites people's imagination of how the product is different from other brands. Mushroom workers at-work building the lunch box themselves. It gives emphasis that the lunch box is grown as opposed to being manufactured. Surrounding it is a pattern made from mushroom cap spore print.
Handle packaging is developed for different colors of naturally-dyed handle. They are customizable options to cater to a bigger range of audience.
A mailer is created as a way to reach audience. To promote the product material, the tactile sense is brought to their own homes. With an enticing packaging, information is given slowly as they unravel the main product advertised.
