the final chosen object was a plate of dumplings, a comforting food growing up. i wanted to reflect upon the process of making them, as well as the familial and celebratory nature surrounding them. one of the aspects i wanted to highlight was the ‘handmade’ component, and the gathering to do so. as such, the future i envisioned was reflected by the pile of empty dishes, as well as the potential for commercialization.

during the research process, i explored the variety of takes on dumplings that exist in asian and other cultures. throughout these differences, there was an element of togetherness that i wanted to convey, achieved through similar line weights and shading. each icon was also designed as a self contained image, providing a snapshot of the item or idea they represented.

inspiration was drawn from the works of icon designer susan kare, and writer robecca solnit, who traces the history of literature, landscapes, art objects and families.