2013 MA Design and Environment graduate Younghee Lee answered for the Design blog a few questions about her graduation project from Goldsmiths and her approach to design:
How did you arrive at the idea of your graduation project Think Rhino?
Initially I was interested in animal rights, not in a traditional sense but more in terms of equality and the effects of modern society on both domesticated and wild animals. Whilst researching, I was shocked to discover the far reaching nature of the crisis and its multiple complexities. The Rhinoceros as a species is facing extinction, possibly within 20 years or less. Some cultures falsely believe Rhino horns to possess narcotic and/or psychoactive properties. This isn’t the case. Rhino horn is largely composed of keratin which is the same material as our hair and fingernails. Keratin has absolutely no active components – consuming Rhino horn is akin to biting your fingernails or eating hair.
Goldsmiths Design Blog 