2. WHO AM I AS A DESIGNER?
Cassidy West
EMPATHETIC∙ PRAGMATIC ∙ FUTURE-CONSCIOUS
FUNCTION
PASSION
AESTHETIC
Facilitating connection between people
and the natural environment through the
pragmatic design of eco-conscious products
situated within our increasingly digital world
In the context of population growth and increased urbanization
my work generally aims to be space-saving while incorporating
some aspect of multifunction.
I love working with my hands to bring to life ideas generated
from a desire to work towards reaching a sustainable equilibrium
between economy, equity, and the natural environment.
Inspired by architectural forms, my designs tend to be dominated
by a geometric aesthetic and include some element of repetition.
My love for nature is reinforced in my work by the use of natural
and reclaimed materials.
3. U-GROW
NATURAL ∙ RECLAIMED
A self-watering indoor growing system meant
to bring nature into the home and reconnect
urban dwellers with the skills and knowledge
necessary for growing.
• Inspired by research into two matters
affecting the future: abundance of waste
and urbanization
• Made from natural and re-purposed
materials: wine bottles, cork, terracotta,
wood
• The vessels use a wicking system which
allows them to be self-watering. The glass
reservoir should sustain a plant for over a
week and can be easily re-filled by lifting the
terracotta vessel.
• Wine cork feet can be added to the base
whenever the product is not mounted on
the wall – in a windowsill for example
• Simple wall mount system gives the user the
option to display the planters on a wall
Spring 2016 ∙ Cassidy West
Grad thesis project
4. NUTRA TAMPONS
VERSATILE∙RECLAIMED
Tampons that are embedded with a seed
and intended to be planted after use to allow
women’s menstrual fluid to provide nutrients
to the soil in which a plant is grown
• This project is one radical concept that
emerged as a result of research proving
many tampons to be detrimental to the
health of women and the environment
• Soil depletion caused by industrial
agricultural practices have led to crops
being far less nutritious. Menstrual fluid
contains the 3 key nutrients required for
plant growth (N, P, K), and none of the other
additives of commercial fertilizers.
• Reconnects women to Earth’s natural cycles
by linking growth to monthly menstruation
• Encourages a symbiotic relationship with
the environment
• Reintroduces nutrients to the soil in a way
that is natural and chemical-free
Spring 2016 ∙ Cassidy West
Self-watering seed-starting planter made of
terracotta and a re-purposed wine bottle
Box of organic,
biodegradable
tampons that can be
planted to provide
nutrients to soil
Special seed-
embedded tampon
to be planted once
a cycle and fertilized
with menstrual fluid
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5. LUTA
COMPRESSION ∙ RTA
Swedish for “leaning”, Luta is a
disassemblable leaning table made entirely of
wood and cork. The project was the result of
intense material exploration.
• The design of Luta revolves around the use
of re-granulated wine corks binded with
eco-resin and moulded under high pressure.
Cork is an under-utilized sustainable
material with much potential!
• Taking advantage of the compressive ability
of cork, the legs fit snugly into table-top
using compression
• Cork feet and cork against the wall prevent
Luta from slipping while simultaneously
protecting the floor and wall
• Luta is dissassemblable and RTA which
reduces packaging size and allows for
space-efficient storage of the table
Fall 2015 ∙ Cassidy West
A collaboration
with Cindy Trieu
and Adam Thoren
6. TETRA
URBAN ∙ COMPACT
Tetra is a sleek, space saving sit/stand work
desk that is proportioned to accommodate
the needs of urban dwellers of today and
tomorrow
• Bridges the gap between the horizontal and
the vertical, the couch and the wall, soft and
hard surfaces
• Two metal wings that function on the desk
or the couch arm; transition from wall to
couch is simple and enjoyable
• Complete customization of veneer type and
colour accents
Fall 2014 ∙ Cassidy West
A collaboration
with Shannon Mortimer
and Andrew Tavukciyan
7. APPLE BUD
PORTABLE ∙ PROTECT
Inspired by the blossoms of an apple tree,
Apple Bud is a portable vessel for both the
transport and display of an apple
• Design criteria: able to be mailed in an
11”x17” envelope
• Primary material and process: laser cut
aircraft plywood
Spring 2014 ∙ Cassidy West
8. PLICO
IMAGINATIVE ∙ PLAYFUL
A clever toy box that folds out to become an
illustrative children’s play mat with many
configurations
• An interactive object designed for children
4-8 years of age
• Baltic birch plywood as the major material
• Made up of repetitive elements
manufactured using the pin router
A collaboration with
Neil Machon and Ali Wilson
Spring 2014 ∙ Cassidy West
