Corm

Fabric board game

A Biomimetic Study, from Field to Form translating Nature’s design into Playful Tactility

The Inspiration: Nature’s Packaging

The project began with a biomimetic study of Sweet Corn specifically focusing on its structural efficiency and "packaging." Through a rigorous process of dissection, I analysed the vegetable not as food, but as a complex assembly of textures: the protective husk, the glossy tension of the kernels, and the fibrous chaos of the silk. The goal was to decode the arrangement of the kernels, parallel vs. alternate, and the variation in colour from the immature white base to the saturated yellow tip.

The Translation: Structural Mimicry

The core challenge was translating the cob’s structural anatomy, specifically the protective leaf layering and the kernel grid into a functional product. The study moved beyond visual texture to structural manipulation. I conducted a rigorous material exploration to replicate the cob's form, iterating through volumetric studies in thermocol, malleable metal sheets, and wood. To mimic the modular nature of the kernel arrangement, I engineered a custom interlocking mechanism, allowing the board to be physically built and reconfigured during gameplay.

The Outcome: A Tactile Board Game

The final output, Corm, is a fabric-based board game that leverages these tactile features to create a sensory play experience. Moving beyond simple play, the board functions as the "field," where fabric nodes (kernels) must be arranged or removed based on strategic gameplay. Compared to rigid plastic components, the design offers significant potential for sustainable upcycling by utilizing textile waste to create circular products. This model not only could generate rural employment through craft-based manufacturing but also serves as an educational tool, reconnecting urban children with farming cycles and food origins through tactile engagement.