CONVENIENCE-ISM
-SPECULATIVE STOOL COLLECTION-
SPECULATIVE DESIGN
2020, Individual Work
A stool collection which reinterprets the "Convenience-ism" mindset of Taiwanese people, resurfaces the symptoms of living environments to ignite the Taiwanese public's attention and contemplation on our cultural attitudes.
EXPLORE LIVING ENVIRONMENTS, POKING AT SOCIAL NORMS
Complex historic backgrounds of Taiwan without enough time to digest results in an ambiguous cultural identity. Through exploration of local cultures, I hope to ignite attention and contemplation to our culture from the Taiwanese public.
STREETSIDE OBSERVATION: DISSECTING THE ORDINARY
This project starts with observation of the streetside, a vibrant daily setting at the boundaries of private homes and public space, where rich interpersonal interactions occur. Observation is done and recorded via photography and secondary labelling.
Raw visual data was deconstructed to obtain individual elements. Elements are then analyzed and grouped under categories of "Space", "Object", "Behavior Characteristics".
BREAKING ENVIRONMENT DOWN TO ELEMENTS
Design exploration was then conducted in the form of extensive collage reconstructions, mixing elements to contemplate on relationships between "Space", "Object", "Behavior Characteristics", leading to perspective and insight on Taiwan's cultural trait: a prevailing "CONVENIENCEISM" mindset.
COLLAGE RECONSTRUCTIONS TO GAIN PERSPECTIVE
IDENTIFING A VEHICLE FOR EXPRESSION:
STREETSIDE YELLOW LINE & TAIWANESE STREET CHAIR
Re-examining the original raw visual data through the lens of the "CONVENIENCE-ISM" mindset, two elements emerged as the best design vehicles to express our cultural trait; first are streetside yellow lines, with its symbolic attribute as an ambiguous boundary and its physical attribute to be ever-extending; second are those commonplace metal stools, as they are so widespread and frequently used that they have become entrenched within the public’s daily habits.
PROCESS:
FINAL DESIGN:
I exaggerated the properties of the streetside yellow line, and conducted a series of brainstorms, breaking the real-world constraints to design 3-dimensional yellow lines and embed them with different behaviors that embody the “Convenience-ism” mindset. The work communicates with irony to maximize resonance with the audience trigger diverse public discourse, and evoke reflection.
VISITORS EXCITEDLY SAID THAT THEY SEE
THEMSELVES DOING THESE THINGS ALL THE TIME!
NEXT PHASE:
TO SPARK IMAGINATIONS OF ''CONVENIENCE-ISM''
After the presentation of this project, I continued to think about how to express and communicate “Convenience-ism” in a more direct way, maybe this time without the inherent negativity of irony, but through a more intelligent and witty perspective. By designing complete scenarios that are purely imaginary, presenting a world composited totally by “Convenience-ism”, stimulating more imagination.