University of Hawaii Seed Lab
APPAREL • ILLUSTRATION • PATTERN DESIGN
Founded in 1995, the Seed Lab houses 29 million rare seeds from the Pacific region. Their prowess in seed storage and propagation did not match their online presence…which is where I came in.
Pattern Design
The Seed Lab has an extensive library of seed images documented through microscopes. I drew many seed shapes and then digitized them in layers to create a repeat pattern.
I also drew and digitized the leaves of rare Hawaiian plants in order to incorporate them into a pattern. The patterns are used on the website, social media, and printed merchandise. So many uses! So much cohesion!
Apparel Design
I created a dynamic one-color shirt design with the phrase “Banking on Nature” at the top. The shape of the Wikstroemia seed shows up again here as the overall shape of the illustration.
The Koolau Mountains are made up of tiny seeds that all funnel into the Seed Lab logo at the bottom of the design.
Aloha Shirt
One of the patterns I designed was turned into an aloha shirt! This pattern includes seeds and foliage from rare Hawaiian plants.
Testimonial
“Siena’s work has been an invaluable asset to our seed conservation lab, as her intricate and detailed illustrations accurately capture the essence of each plant species we work with.
“What sets Siena apart is her commitment to not only producing beautiful works of art but also ensuring the morphological accuracy of each illustration. She takes the time to carefully research and understand each plant and seed, and the result is a stunning representation that not only captures the species’ individual beauty but also their unique characteristics and features.
“Her designs have become a centerpiece not only as a form of art but as a tool for education and outreach.
“I cannot recommend Siena Baldi enough to anyone looking for a talented artist who not only creates beautiful works of art but also has a deep appreciation and understanding of the natural world. Her passion and dedication to her craft shine through in each and every one of her pieces.”
Nathan Kingsley
Seed Lab Manager