Thea Wang

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

MA Project - Restricted Access (SIA Only) - With Distinction

Project Type

MA Project - Business Plan

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Art Business

First Advisor

Lawrence Motz

Second Advisor

Brendan Burns

Abstract

Sponge Nuggets is a simple, lightweight, and eco-friendly modular packaging design created to protect fragile and irregularly shaped artworks, including ceramics, glass pieces, and small- to medium-sized sculptures. The project was inspired by a critical gap in the contemporary art logistics industry, where existing solutions—such as bubble wrap and custom wooden crates—either fail to provide adequate protection or are prohibitively expensive and bulky. Targeting independent artists, small galleries, and emerging art institutions, Sponge Nuggets offers a reusable and cost-effective alternative that significantly reduces both financial and environmental burdens while enhancing artwork safety. Its modular design features sponge blocks of various shapes—such as triangular, rectangular, and cylindrical pieces—that can conform perfectly to an artwork’s contours, providing flexible yet stable support during transportation. In the next three years, the company aims to expand its digital platform by integrating 3D scanning and virtual reality technologies to create an intuitive and interactive packaging experience. Sponge Nuggets also plans to establish strategic partnerships with global art logistics providers and sustainable material manufacturers while developing a strong corporate culture centered on innovation, collaboration, and environmental responsibility.

Distinction

1

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