Marta Lesniak
Marta’s fascination with chemistry, began during her studies, which led her to experiment with potato flour and natural elements like clay. She wanted to address the environmental impact of conventional materials, particularly plastic, by creating alternatives that are both beautiful and environmentally friendly.
Statement
| Marta’s journey as a designer has always been rooted in the intersection of art, science, and sustainability. After graduating from Aberdeen RGU University with Honours, she focused her final year project on creating a biodegradable material made from potato flour, which marked the beginning of her exploration into biomaterials. This project aimed to create functional products that either biodegrade harmlessly or are passed on for generations, embodying the principle of “forever or for never.” At the heart of Marta’s work is a desire to push the boundaries of design by merging materials science with artistic expression. Her fascination with chemistry, which began during her studies, led her to experiment with potato flour and natural elements like clay. She wanted to address the environmental impact of conventional materials, particularly plastic, by creating alternatives that are both beautiful and environmentally friendly. The result of this experimentation is a line of products that combine my love for tactile, organic materials with a commitment to sustainability. One of the most significant outcomes of this work is the Potato Lamp Shade. This biodegradable lampshade uses potato-based materials to create something that is not only functional but also completely decomposable after its lifecycle. Marta’s design process embraces messiness, allowing her to continuously learn through trial and error, which is essential for developing materials that balance form and sustainability. Currently, her product line extends to several unique items, including clay angels that cast shadows in customizable ways, business card holders for Highland cow and Bennachie lovers, and her latest prototype – a biodegradable lamp featuring a Highland cow design. The lamp has a potato-based top that spreads light beautifully and decomposes within two months when discarded in nature, alongside a recyclable clay base. This product embodies her core belief: that we can continue to produce consumer goods, but they must work in harmony with the planet by either biodegrading or lasting forever through meaningful craftsmanship. In addition to lamps and decorative objects, Marta is also exploring new ideas like creating biodegradable packaging for plant transportation, aiming to eliminate the need for plastic. As she develop these ideas, she is constantly refining her understanding of material properties to ensure they meet both aesthetic and practical needs. Her goal is to create a world where our civilization can produce waste that nurtures rather than harms our planet. Looking forward, she aims to further her knowledge in materials science and product development to enhance the quality and durability of her designs. She also has plans to update her website, www.practicalart.co.uk, to showcase her growing designs and make her products more accessible to a wider audience. Through her practice, she strives to marry art and design principles with a vision for a more sustainable future. Marta believes in creating not just for today, but with a mindful eye toward the future, ensuring that everything she makes has a lasting and positive impact on people and the environment. |
Materials
Potato Flour
Used as the primary biodegradable component in lampshades and other designs.
Forms the base of your potato-based material, which decomposes after its lifecycle.
Clay
Used for creating bases for lamps and other products like clay angels.
Provides a durable, recyclable, or long-lasting material option.
Biodegradable Top (for Lamp)
A custom-designed biodegradable material made from potato flour that spreads light and decomposes within two months after use.
Recyclable Plastic (Lamp Holder)
Currently used for certain parts of the lamp, with plans to replace it in the future with a more sustainable alternative.
Natural Dyes/Pigments
Used for colouring and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of products.
Techniques
Biodegradable Material Development
Combining potato flour with other natural materials and testing to create a durable yet decomposable product.
Experiment with mixtures to adjust the material’s strength and texture, particularly in lampshades.
Handcrafting & Sculpting
Shaping clay into forms such as angels, bases for lamps, and other decorative objects.
Sculpting intricate designs that allow for custom shadow and light effects.
Moulding
Creating moulds for potato-based lampshades or biodegradable components.
Ensures consistency in size and shape across product lines.
Kiln Firing (for Clay)
Firing clay components, such as lamp bases, at controlled temperatures to ensure strength and durability.
Surface Finishing & Glazing (for Clay)
Applying glazes or finishes to clay objects to enhance texture, colour, and durability.
| Exhibitions NEW Designers London 2023 July Grand Design Life 2024 October |
| Some more thoughts from Marta Learning through Experimentation “My creative process is hands-on and often messy. I believe that the beauty of working with biomaterials lies in their unpredictability—learning how they behave, respond to external factors like heat or moisture, and how they can be crafted into something new. Each object I create has a story woven into its very material, from the mixture of potato flour to the way clay is shaped by hand, fired, and finished. While I celebrate the beauty of imperfection in these materials, I am constantly learning and refining techniques to overcome challenges. For example, understanding how to prevent cracking in the bases of my potato-based lamps is an ongoing journey, one that requires both technical knowledge and creativity. I believe this continual learning process makes each piece I create more meaningful.” Looking to the Future “As I continue to develop new products and improve upon existing designs, my goal is to delve deeper into sustainable practices. For instance, I’m working on ideas to replace even small plastic components in my products with fully biodegradable alternatives, and I’m exploring ways to use my materials in new areas, such as eco-friendly packaging for plants. Ultimately, I hope my work inspires others to think more critically about the materials we use, the objects we create, and the impact we leave behind. Design, for me, is about creating a legacy—one that honours the environment and offers something beautiful and meaningful to those who engage with it.” |
Marta Lesniak
Product Designer
BA Hons 3 D Design
Grays School Of Art