I approached the problem of making umbrellas more sustainable by looking at ways in which to raise the "design value" to the consumer. By focusing on the relationship the user has to the umbrella and consequently its value to the user, the object has less appeal to be disposed of readily. REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE.

A problem I believe that umbrellas on the market have today is that they are not living up to their fantasy potential. The umbrella has a rich historical resonance within many different cultures. But, today the umbrella is an example of anonymous design. Their commoditization has left them with bland expression. So, it is time that an umbrella was designed that lived up to the stories and imagery that our imaginations are sparked with as a child.

The twirl umbrella puts a new spin on opening an umbrella. Similar to a little girl twirling her skirt or a popular carnival ride, Twirl utilizes the action of spinning to make itself open. Capitalizing on the play of spinning an umbrella, the pumping motion of the handle sets the canopy in motion. The spinning mechanism is borrowed from an old fashion tin top. The decoration on the umbrella's fabric cast shadows reminiscent of kaleidoscopes. The fabric is made of dyed and screen-printed silk.

By utilizing the inherent playfulness of twirling an umbrella, flimsy interior arms are avoided and design value is added. The main construction of the body could be made of a sustainable bamboo or wood. The metal rod, which puts in motion a dome top (bio-plastic), could be tin or another metal. By eliminating the flimsiest element to the umbrella, the design will be less likely to break. And, by adding the playful feature, the umbrella will have a higher value to the user.

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