Work
Services
About

Checkerspot Pollinator Kit


An award winning sampling kit and direct-to-consumer platform showcasing Checkerspot’s algae-based polyurethane.




Project information


Client 
Project
Team



Type
Recognition
Checkerspot
The Pollinator Kit, 2021-2023
Mitch Heinrich of What For Design (Industrial Design Lead)
Julian Goldman and Dierdre Shea 
of Fun Stuff Design (Industrial Design, Creative Direction) 
Rory Smith (Graphic Design)
Commercial, Novel Sustainable Material, Product Design
2023 SXSW Innovation Award
2023 Core77 Sustainable Design Award
Project summary
Born from the conviction that designers, artists, hobbyists, and product developers will be the change-agents for widespread adoption of renewable materials, the Pollinator Kit is designed to provide makers and designers with access to Checkerspot's biobased Cast Polyurethane System. Previously only available to manufacturers, this sampling kit opens the door for creatives of all experience levels to use this algae-based material in prototyping-scale quantities.
This kit is a departure from the traditional bare-bones casting kit, and is designed to be a considered user experience while lowering the carbon footprint of packaging, transportation, and petroleum use. The designers took every opportunity to reduce weight, waste, and petroleum input in both packaging and use of the product
Additional Project Features





  • Development a best in class casting kit from unboxing through to user experience. 
  • Designed a sampling kit with supporting products showcasing one of the first publicly available commercial biomaterials. 
  • Functioned as an internal design team, collaborating with Checkerspot teams on website, marketing strategy, user outreach, and sampling program.
  • Award winning sustainable packaging and product design. 
  • Managed budget, manufacturing, and vendors.
  • Creative direction and instructional design.
Research Focus
  • What are the implications of making more responsible materials available to the public?
  • How can we make bioengineered materials more accessible to creatives?
  • Can we improve the casting kit experience and make it approachable and accessible to anyone who wants to try?
  • How do we tell the story of an imperfect, nuanced sustainable material in a way that is clear and honest?