Thesis is underway. I have decided to explore umbrellas. I believe that the umbrella can be seen as a commodity. Another interesting thing about the umbrella is the extent which they are used throughout the world. Everyone has to deal with rain and sun in some way. I am interested in the ability for personal expression. I plan to explore this problem by looking at archetypes, media images, innovation of form. Also, performance fabrics and detail studies of the mechanisms may allow for this expression to exist.