(A Speculative Design)

In my first semester at Sheffield Hallam University, I designed a conceptual project aimed at raising awareness about air pollution, blending environmental advocacy with cultural symbolism. The centrepiece was a striking elephant-head mask holding the Earth in its trunk—an artistic metaphor rooted in my heritage from Thrissur, Kerala, where elephants symbolize strength, reverence, and guardianship of tradition.

This mask served as both a protective device and a provocative piece of design fiction, highlighting the global impact of air pollution. Each design element carried intentional symbolism: the elephant evoked cultural identity and environmental stewardship; the Earth emphasized our co-dependent relationship with nature; and the armour-like form of the mask conveyed the growing burden pollution places on our daily lives.

Grounded in research across heavily polluted regions like India, Beijing, and the Netherlands, the project evolved through a feedback-driven process. I developed five initial concepts, surveyed public response, and refined the design based on insight from participants who resonated most with the mask’s powerful message and cultural depth.

This project allowed me to merge storytelling, symbolism, and design strategy into a unified message: our future depends on how we care for the planet today. Through this work, I explored not just form and function, but the emotional and cultural impact design can have in addressing real-world challenges.