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Terms and Conditions
Introduction
Welcome to TONGUES, provided by Voodoo Voodoo Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”). Access to and use of this website (“TONGUES”) is provided by us on the basis of a number of important terms and conditions, which are set out in full below.
You should carefully read these terms and conditions (“terms”). When you use TONGUES, you will be legally bound by these terms, which will take effect from your first use of TONGUES. If you do not agree to be legally bound by these terms, then you should not use TONGUES>.
These terms apply generally to the use of TONGUES. Any facility (“Comment Facility”) that we may make accessible to you through TONGUES, enabling you to post messages, comments, information, material or content (a “Contribution”), may have additional special terms attached. If and when a Comment Facility becomes available, you will need to read and agree to be legally bound by those special terms before you post a Contribution or use those sections. If you do not agree to be legally bound by those special terms then you will not be able to post a Contribution.
TONGUES is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in a country where that distribution or use would be contrary to local laws or regulations.
Changes to Terms
We are continually seeking to update and improve TONGUES. As a result, we may make changes to TONGUES, including these terms, at any time. You will need to review these terms regularly so that you are aware of any changes we have made. You will be legally bound by the updated or amended terms from the first time that you use TONGUES after we post the changes on-line.
TONGUES Content
The rights in materials, images, information, data, trade marks, trade names and logos and other content included on TONGUES (“TONGUES content”) are are owned by us or the relevant third party content owner. All rights are reserved and acknowledged. As TONGUES content is protected by a variety of third party rights, you may not copy, adapt, re-publish, make available to the public or print off copies of TONGUES content in any way, or use it other than as part of TONGUES and for your personal non-commercial use, without our prior written permission.
Information
Information which we provide through TONGUES is in outline for information or entertainment purposes only. You should not rely on it.
Third party websites
We do not monitor the content of third party websites and any link provided on TONGUES is solely for your convenience. We cannot therefore accept any responsibility for any third party website. You are responsible for checking and complying with the terms and privacy policies applicable to your use of any third party website.
Responsibility
The extent of our responsibility to you has been determined in the context of the following:
access to TONGUES is provided to you free of charge;
it is your responsibility to determine the suitability of any TONGUES content for any particular purpose to which you wish to put it;
TONGUES does not give instructions and you are responsible for any action or decision you take or do not take as a result of TONGUES content;
It is your responsibility to ensure that your equipment is enabled with appropriate up-to-date virus checking software before you access or use TONGUES.
Whilst we will endeavour to ensure that TONGUES is available to you and that content for which we are responsible is accurate, we cannot make any legal commitment or representation to you that TONGUES will be available at any particular time or that it or any TONGUES content will be of any particular quality or fit for any particular purpose. However, we will exercise reasonable skill and care in providing any service to you.
We can accept no liability to you for any of the following types of loss (should you suffer any of them as a result of your use of TONGUES):
loss which was not foreseeable to you and us when you first accessed or registered to use TONGUES (even if that loss results from the our failure to comply with these terms or our negligence);
any business loss you may suffer, including loss of revenue, profits or anticipated savings (whether those losses are the direct or indirect result of our default);
loss which you suffer other than as a result of our failure to comply with these terms or our negligence or breach of statutory duty;
any loss suffered due to the default of any party other than us.
We do not give any commitment that TONGUES or any TONGUES content will be available uninterrupted or error free, that defects will be corrected, or that TONGUES or its supporting systems are free of viruses or bugs.
We can accept no liability to you if we fail, or are interrupted or delayed in the performance of any obligation because of:
the non-availability or failure of any telecommunications or computer services, systems, equipment or software operated or provided by you or any third party;
any other event not reasonably within our control.
We do not give any commitments or accept any liability to you in respect of TONGUES content provided by other users of the website or third parties other than us.
Nothing in these terms will limit our liability for death or personal injury arising from our negligence.
Remedies
To the extent that we are practically able to do so, we may terminate your access to any part of TONGUES at any time without notice if you breach any of the terms.
General
If any of these terms are determined to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable then the remaining terms shall remain in full force and effect.
These terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. If you are a consumer, then you may have rights to bring court proceedings in the courts of the country in which you are domiciled. Otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, you and we shall bring all court proceedings in the courts of England and Wales.
© TONGUES — An initiative by Voodoo Voodoo Ltd

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Privacy & Cookies Policy
Introduction
The tongues.cc website is operated by Voodoo Voodoo Ltd (‘TONGUES’).
This privacy policy applies to TONGUES.
We want you to enjoy our website and services secure in the knowledge that we have implemented fair information practices to protect your privacy. By visiting our website, you are accepting the practices described in our privacy policy, including our use of cookies and similar online tracking technologies. If you do not agree to the terms of this privacy policy, please do not use the website.
TONGUES may change this policy from time to time by updating this page and you should regularly check to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy was last updated on 11 February 2020.
The policy outlines:
1. General principle
2. How we collect information
3. Types of information we may collect
4. How we use your information
5. How we protect the information we collect
6. Access to your personal information
7. How to contact us
1. General principle
There are two types of information we may collect from you when you use the website: non-personally identifiable information and personally identifiable information. Non-personally identifiable information does not individually identify you, but it may include tracking and usage information about your general location, demographics, use of the website and the internet. Personally identifiable information is information that you voluntarily provide when you set up a user account, subscribe to a newsletter, or query that can individually identify you and may include your name and email address etc.
We do not link non-personally identifiable information to your personally identifiable information.
We do not share either type of information unless required to run the website and services (see third-party services below). We will never sell either type of information.
This privacy policy does not apply to any information collected outside of the website, including offline or through other means (for example, via telephone or through email), unless otherwise stated below or at the time of collection.
2. How we collect information
We collect information when you:
— Ask to be placed on an email newsletter list
Make an enquiry about our services
— Answer a reader survey
— Provide information to us
Links to other websites, social media platforms
Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our website, you should note that we do not have any control over the information that is collected and shared about you. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.
You may interact with content on our website through social media platforms we use such as Facebook by using their social features. Examples of social features include ‘liking’ or ‘sharing’ our content. We encourage you to review their policies before using their tools, which can be found at their respective websites. If you’d prefer that these social media platforms do not collect information about the content you share and use, we suggest that you don’t use their tools.
3. Types of information we may collect
The types of information we may collect includes:
— Account information (email address)
— Information you provide through a TONGUES reader survey which might include age range, education level etc
TONGUES is not responsible for any information you have provided in public areas of our website or on our social media platforms, which may then be viewed by other users.
4. How we use your information
The information we collect may be used to help us:
— Provide services you voluntarily subscribed to such as email newsletters
— Improve the quality of our website
— Promote services to you including advising you of updates or changes to our website and services
— Improve the website through reader surveys and feedback
Disclosure to third-party services
As part of providing our website and services to you we use a limited number of third-party services that perform functions on our behalf, including but not limited to website hosting, server monitoring, tracking user behaviour, marketing automation services, and customer service.
We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the conduct, practices or privacy policies of these third-party services and encourage you to read the policies of the services we use below:
TONGUES uses the MailerLite marketing automation service to issue newsletters. Find out more about MailerLite’s Privacy Policy and Terms.
When you subscribe to our email newsletters
By clicking ‘Subscribe’ you agree to the following: 
We will use the email address you provide to send you a weekly or monthly email. We also send occasional updates and, no more than once a year, reader surveys. 
The email address/es you provide will be transferred to our external marketing automation service ‘MailerLite’ for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms. We use MailerLite to issue our newsletters. We have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the conduct, practices or privacy policies of MailerLite
Unsubscribing
You can change your mind at any time by clicking the ‘unsubscribe link’ in the footer of emails you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. If you want to review and correct the personal information we have about you, you can click on ‘update preferences’ in the footer of emails you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected].
5. How we protect the information we collect
We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. We have taken reasonable measures to protect information about you from loss, theft, misuse or unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration and destruction. No physical or electronic security system is impenetrable however and you should take your own precautions to protect the security of any personally identifiable information you transmit. We cannot guarantee that the personal information you supply will not be intercepted while transmitted to us or third-party service providers. 
Sharing your personal information
We will not disclose your personal information except; (1) as described by this Privacy Policy (2) after obtaining your permission to a specific use or disclosure or (3) if we are required do so by a valid legal process or government request (such as a court order, a search warrant, a subpoena, a civil discovery request, or a statutory requirement). We will retain your information for as long as needed in light of the purposes for which it was obtained or to comply with our legal obligations and enforce our agreements. 
Data transfer
This website is published in the United Kingdom. If you are located in a country outside of these countries and voluntarily submit personally identifiable information to us, you should be aware that information about you will be transferred to this countries. We attempt to comply with local data protection laws to the extent that they may apply to TONGUES. 
Age of consent
Our website is not directed at children under the age of 18 and we do not knowingly collect or maintain information from those we know are younger than 18. If you are younger than 18, you should not submit or post any personally identifiable information to our website. By using the Service, you represent that you are at least 18 years of age.
6. Access to your personal information
You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you by submitting a written request to [email protected]. We may only implement requests with respect to the personal information associated with the particular email address you use to send us the request. We will try and respond to your request as soon as reasonably practical. When you receive the information, if you think any of it is wrong or out of date, you can ask us to change or delete it for you. 
We take all reasonable steps to ensure the information held is accurate, up-to-date, complete, relevant and not misleading. 
7. Contact us
If you have any questions about our privacy policy or our use of your information, please contact us at [email protected].

Verena Brom

May 18 / 2023

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Verena Brom founded A Matter of Fruit after her vocational experiences inspired her to develop new material systems targeting various industries to improve the [re]usage of our resources. As an advocate of a circular economy, she works on alternative material solutions with the aim of designing out waste. Her mission is to make use of renewable resources using design as a tool for optimising material cycles.

 

Q >Tell us about how you came to develop A Matter of Fruit?

A >During my time as a garment technologist / product developer in the fashion industry, I became extremely aware of how wasteful we are with our resources and of the complex manufacturing processes — what huge distances our materials and products have to travel before they reach us.

This motivated me to learn more about how to create a better material foundation and I decided to pursue a master’s programme in textile and surface design [at the Weißensee school of art and design]. The idea for transforming apple pomace (juice press residues) into films developed about three years ago during a food-related project in my master’s course. 

 

A Matter of Fruit — Apple pomace grains and shades

 

Q >What are the main goals of A Matter of Fruit — both in terms of material development and its applications:

A >The overall goal is to implement circular structures and to make people aware that there are many attractive natural alternative materials, which can be used to shape our day-to-day life.

Q >Tell us about your creative process and the importance of research and collaboration within it.

A >For me as a material designer, it is always very important to stay pure and stick to very few raw materials — which can be quite limiting and challenging, but also opens up opportunities. For me it means to dig deeper, exhausting all possibilities that one material can provide, trying different manufacturing methods, before opening up and bringing in the next element. Research builds the foundation. It means understanding processes, developing new approaches, and connecting the dots. 

I enjoy working on my own but collaborations also play a central part in my process — it helps bring in new angles into the work and jointly propel projects to a higher level.

Q >How do you think awareness about the concept of a circular economy could be amplified, and how can this approach gain greater traction with both producers and consumers?

A >From an economic point of view, it is important to concentrate on communicating the benefit of circularity in a positive way, which is: save resources and thus money. And also promoting a problem solving attitude towards the climate change challenge that we are facing.

Humans are creatures of habits. And comfort. And because our world is becoming more and more complex, people will hold on more intensely to their routines. That is why it is so important to elucidate and show the positive impact results from saying goodbye to the linear take-make-dispose system wherever possible.

Q >What support is available from institutions and public bodies for young designers in this field currently? How could such institutions help designers set themselves up for success?

A >Fortunately, my work is part of a hot current topic. There is a lot of (public) funding out there, supporting sustainable and circular projects and initiatives. Not so much design-focused, though.

So what definitely could help is increasing the visibility for designers outside the design world, and help connecting to other fields (e.g. science and economics).

Design is still too much seen as a purely aesthetic and superficial “discipline”, but especially in the field of circularity it is crucial to use the power of design — employ and use creative minds to change entrenched systems.

Q >How does where you live affect your work?

A >As it turns out, it has been crucial [and] highly influential. For example, my current work revolves around a local raw material and stems from a local “tradition”: German apple juice drinking.

More specifically, Berlin as my working/living base provides many opportunities and possibilities for growing my work.

 

A Matter of Fruit — Apple pomace

 

Q >In your explorations of materiality, what has been your most surprising or exciting discovery?

A >It sounds trivial but using different raw material “scales”/“dimensions” and different tools can totally change the outcome of the new designed material. By changing the raw materials shape, the aesthetics, function and application of the developed material can differ entirely. That is why it often does not need a second, third and fourth component, as playing around with the first one can already multiply your options.

 

A Matter of Fruit — Pomace films: black carrot, orange, apple

 

Q >Brands and designers are much more aware of the importance of sustainability — could you tell us about your dream partnerships. Is there any designer or brand you would love to collaborate with?

A >I am super interested in collaborating with likeminded designers and brands who share the same values of circularity, resource-efficiency and designing a ‘better world’. As light and my material are such a good combination, I would love to explore how to shape new spaces and apply my material to the interior together with architects, interior and light designers.

I recently came across the Cullinan Studio based in London. I admire their commitment to reform the way we live and connect humans back to nature.

Q >What are your biggest sources of learning?

A >Profound research. Learning by doing. Observing and interpreting. It’s all a process with lots of surprises, failures and improvisation that can lead to new knowledge.

Q >Where do you see yourself taking your work in the next few years?

A >
— Establish the brand A Matter of Fruit.
— Strengthen the bond between science and design.
— Grow my network and my own material library. After working on one specific raw material, I am ready now to move on and explore further sustainable and natural material options.
— Focus on shaping the interior and built environment
— Increase collaborative work.

Q >Which resources do you recommend for people interested in learning more about sustainable practices?

A >For all eco-conscious designers, Victor Papanek’s book “Design for the real world” is a must read. He is a pioneer and promoter of ethical and environmentally responsible design, starting to elevate these ideologies already in the 1970s.

In the area of material design, I can recommend the platform Material District. Here you can get up to speed with all relevant material innovations and projects.

 

Images courtesy of © Verena Brom

Apples, apple juice & apple pomace

Apple pomace films in different grain sizes

Apple pomace film – translucent

Illuminated apple pomace films at Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven 2022

Exhibition at Kunsthalle am Hamburger Platz, Berlin 2021

Pomace paste printed on translucent pomace film — ‘Timber'

Pomace paste printed on translucent pomace film — ‘Voronoi’

Apple pomace plant pots