BONUS PROJECT: GORD, NATURAL WATER BOTTLE

*Gord is a personal project published in Material Connexion’s Material Innovation book series showcasing products using innovative materials.

My mission for this project was to design a portable water bottle more naturally than what was currently on the market. I utilized the gourd fruit, which after drying becomes as hard as wood, making it an effective way of storing pretty much anything - among them, liquids.

I became obsessed with the idea of bending the laws of nature using modern manufacturing methods, so I designed a custom mold that forced the gourd to grow in a more ergonomic shape, making it viable for everyday use. Special features include a unique bottle cap designed to accommodate the slight variances in the gourd’s wall thickness and an in-mold logo.

Project scope included, but not limited to:

• Industrial Design

• CAD

• Mold Design + Manufacturing

• Business plan

• Project Management