A series of photographs documenting accelerated erosion patterns forming on the coastal sea cliffs of San Diego have inspired our new collection of iPhone cases, framed art prints and throw pillows over at Society 6, a website dedicated to promoting artists’ work by producing their designs on affordable, high quality prints, canvases, t-shirts, hoodies, laptop cases, and much more.

$20 on Society6

The photographs were part of study of the local Torrey Pines La Jolla Cove area. The purpose of this documentation is to bring awareness of the negative affect of human intervention on natural ecosystems which are constricted from natural cycles by physical barriers like roads, loss of sedimentary runoff and overbuilding.

Erosion at sea cliffs in San Diego is part of a much larger issue. These sea cliffs define a cautionary tale about the effects of climate change, sea level rise and human intervention on fragile ecosystems. Stream flow and sediment are unable to reach the coast due to dams and urban watershed migration which have led to the reduction of the natural sand flux by up to 55%. It is possible that by the end of the century these northern San Diego beaches will be lost unless natural sand supply is restored.

This documentation also turned into a design pattern for sustainable furniture in collaboration with designer, Olivia Cyr, check out the Phenomena Wardrobe.

Photograph: Olivia Cyr