The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way people live and connect with their surroundings. Homes became offices, classrooms, and gyms, while nature became a powerful source of comfort and healing. Surveys show that 36% of people spent more time outdoors in May 2020, rising to 46% by July 2020, highlighting the growing desire to reconnect with the natural world.
In this context, seashells have emerged as symbols of protection, resilience, and beauty. More than just marine treasures, shells are metaphors for safety and rebirth—concepts deeply resonant during lockdowns. As a result, seashell-inspired designs began to appear across industries, from handmade fashion accessories to interior design and architecture.
🐚 Seashells as Symbols of Safety and Renewal
A shell is nature’s armor, protecting fragile marine life inside. During the pandemic, this image became a metaphor for the security and shelter people longed for. Designers began incorporating the curves, textures, and patterns of seashells into their creations—not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their symbolic message of hope and resilience.
🌱 Innovation and Sustainability: Seashell Biomaterials
Beyond aesthetics, seashells are also reshaping sustainable design. Designers such as Newtab-22, along with Central Saint Martins graduates Brigitte Kock and Irene Roca Moracia, have pioneered the transformation of discarded seashells into “bio-concrete”—a biomaterial that serves as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cement.
This innovative use of shell waste tackles pressing environmental challenges while opening new doors for eco-conscious product development. It demonstrates how discarded natural resources can be reborn as strong, useful, and sustainable materials for the future.
✨ Seashells in Post-Pandemic Design
Today, seashells are far more than decorative objects. They represent protection, renewal, and a deeper connection with nature, while fueling the rise of green design. By using seashells as both inspiration and raw material, designers are reflecting humanity’s post-pandemic aspiration: to live safely, harmoniously with nature, and sustainably.
📌 References
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Isabeau van Maastricht (2021). Why seashells are a big inspiration for new designs and products in post-pandemic times. Medium – Futurists Club Team.
