Project Description
Over the past few decades, water quality has declined drastically due to the harmful actions of industries and society as a whole. Drinking water is becoming increasingly unsafe, and our bodies of water are growing more polluted by the day. Contaminants such as chemicals, oil spills, and plastic waste continue to threaten our water supply, making it more finite with each passing second.
The Surface Collection carpet tile design is inspired by the critical issue of surface water pollution—specifically, oil spills and plastic waste. I developed patterns that mimic the fluid, trailing movement of oil as it spreads across the water’s surface. I incorporated abstract line work derived from recycled plastic water bottles, creating a subtle, textured background. The collection features four distinct color schemes, each reflecting the various visual effects oil creates when it disperses in water.
Year
2023
Course
Materials Practices
Type
Carpet Design
Medium
Illustrator, Photoshop, Adobe Color
Surface Collection
Crude
A crude oil spill refers to the accidental release of unrefined petroleum into the environment, usually in bodies of water. These spills can occur due to tanker accidents, pipeline leaks, natural disasters, or other unfortunate spills.
Refine
A refined oil spill occurs when processed petroleum products—such as gasoline or diesel—are accidentally released into the environment, typically in a body of water. Unlike crude oil, refined oils have undergone chemical processing to improve performance, making them more toxic and potentially more harmful in some cases.
Grounding
A groundwater oil spill occurs when petroleum products leak into underground water sources. In turn, this can lead to unsafe drinking water, toxic vapors, harm to the ecosystem, and many other long term damages.
Emulsion
An emulsion oil spill occurs when oil and water mix, forming a thick substance that is more difficult to clean up than a regular oil spill. This happens when oil, especially crude oil, is disturbed by waves or wind, causing water droplets to become trapped within the oil.
