Rania Elkalla
Hello, I am Rania Elkalla, Founder of Shell Homage.
I’m an integrated designer with an educational background in product and graphic design, as well as experience in material science and production. I am based in Berlin, Germany; however, I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt.
I would describe my work as rich, vibrant, eclectic, and derived from various cultures and styles. I’m skilled in visual communication, branding, illustrating, designing 2D and 3D products, experimenting with materials, and merging different disciplines. My main aim is to keep on improving my skills and to present the best, most authentic version of myself through my work. Designers should always remember the word “FUN” that exists in Function. I tend to design things with humour and interaction with users.
Through my work, I have won the following awards: the European Product Design Award, the Green Concept Award, the A’ Design Award & Competition, the Design + Industry Competition 4 & Egypt Design HUB.
My hobbies include travelling, sports, dancing, hiking, and listening to music.
Company Name: Shell Homage
Location: Berlin, Germany
Operating since: 2019
Website: www.shellhomage.com
Instagram: @shellhomage
Tell us all about Shell Homage.
Shell Homage is a biodegradable composite material made out of egg and nut shells without any toxic chemicals. It is completely biodegradable and can decompose when no longer in use. It can be used in several industries such as product design, interior design, consumable goods, the fashion industry and jewelry design. This work resulted from my Master’s thesis research project. The created composite material can be pressed, extruded, 3D-printed or formed by injection molding.
Some unique points about Shell Homage:
It fabricates a biodegradable composite without toxic chemicals.
It uses completely disregarded materials (e.g. egg and nut shells).
The produced material can be used in several industries and can be scaled up.
It is a lightweight material that creates aesthetically appealing surfaces that look like marble or natural stones.
It creates an experience that is meaningful and delightful to users.
The shells are bonded with organic and biodegradable substances, which enable us to create a mixture, which can be handled through different production techniques. It is similar to stone or ceramic and can be drilled or sanded or laser cut. Some of the samples are mixed with colours extracted from food ingredients and are completely decomposable.
How did you get the idea or concept for your company? What was your mission at the outset?
The idea of using different nutshells came from my father; he was my inspiration. I grew up in a family that cared a lot about eating healthy, organic food, and we ate a lot of nuts. My father always used to buy fresh nuts sealed in their natural shells and crack them just before eating because of their rich oils. When he would crack them at home, they used to scatter everywhere, and as I helped him to collect the shells, I began to realize how wonderful and strong the material was and its resemblance to wood. Afterward, a similar idea came to me with eggshells. Eggs are one of the main ingredients in the kitchen, but their versatility is often overlooked.
In 2010, I started to work my investigation into eggshells and nutshells into my thesis. I collaborated with material engineers, but my main concern was finding the right recipe for creating a completely sustainable and biodegradable material that did not rot or break down easily. Initially, I reprocessed the shells by combining them with synthetic resin. The resulting material looked great and was mechanically hard, but I felt guilty for using an artificial resin and not allowing the material to decay ecologically. Now, our process is different. Before disposal, the shells are collected, sterilized, dried, and then ground down. This material is then bonded with organic and biodegradable substances, creating a mixture that can be handled through different production techniques.
What's your definition of success? Do you consider yourself a success? If not, when will you?
Success is to keep improving and learning and [to be able to] benefit my community and the people around me. I strive to challenge myself and the materials I use to create products that are eclectically designed but visually simplistic. When it comes to any design, function, and quality should be as important as ethical sourcing and production. I believe that all types of design are linked with one another, and a designer must be a flexible risk-taker who is able to merge different techniques.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
Never let anything stop you. Trust your guts. Explore as much as possible.
Describe yourself in ONE word. Ambitious