The design was inspired by my family and their Haitian heritage. My grandparents, in particular, had a strong connection to plants. My grandmother loved growing and cooking okra, and my grandfather has a stronginterest in herbalism and loved the hibiscus, Haiti’s national flower. These influences guided the direction of the piece, grounding the design in forms that reflect both personal and cultural significance. Intial sketches were to be simlified as I learned to make more organic structures in CAD, and the final design included only the okra.

The manufacturing process followed a lost-wax casting workflow, beginning with preparation of a 3D printed wax model. I was involved in refining the print for casting, participating in mold creation and the investment casting process, and completing the piece through a series of hand-finishing steps using automated sanders, sand paper and dremels to achieve the final form.

This project was a valuable introduction to the lost-wax casting process and how it enables the creation of intricate metal parts that would be difficult to manufacture through other methods. The finishing stage, in particular, required a high level of patience and attention to detail, especially when working at a small scale. Beyond the technical aspects, it was especially meaningful to create a piece that pays homage to my family and reflects a personal source of inspiration.