Rachael Mackie
BDes (Hons) Product Design
Rewilding the Licecycle
Made from composted sea lice from Scottish salmon farms, blended with carbon rich substrates to create a nutrient-rich material, this project turns aquaculture waste into a symbol of change.
It challenges perceptions around fish farming while supporting rewinding in Scotland and the transition to healthier, land-based aquaculture. As inland fish farming expands, the material behind this product will disappear - making it temporary by nature and tied to a changing industry.
Small plaster prototypes with embossed lettering, testing vacuum-formed mould detail.
Plaster prototype with painted embossed lettering, exploring form, texture, and material identity.
Handheld fish-shaped piece cast from reclaimed sea-lice composite with painted embossed lettering.
Final composting tile with painted lettering, made from reclaimed sea-lice composite material.
Line-up of small plaster fish casts used to refine shape, scale, and casting consistency.
Vacuum-formed fish moulds before trimming, showing the full sheet used for production testing.
Two lettering-height tests exploring embossed impressions for vacuum-formed mould development.
Plaster tile prototype featuring embossed lettering to test surface clarity and material finish.
Final composting products displayed on a bench, highlighting material and form.