Posts Tagged ‘design’
Sunday, April 26th, 2009
:: I‘m a fan of RAY (and Penny), an up-and-coming multimedia Chinese designer (duo). RAY represents everything that excites me about the creative class in China, plus the work is just superb. Check out a video short below titled Magic Cube & Ping Pong.
The story takes place in the city of Magic Cube, where people’s heads are made of Rubik’s cubes. During a friendly game of ping pong, the ball is accidentally misplayed and flies out the window, setting the protagonist off on a journey. Eventually, he meets a beautiful magic cube girl…and so the story goes. Watch it. You’ll love it. To see more of RAY’s video productions, link here – all of them are excellent. // AjS
Posted in art, china, cool hunting, design, people, things well done, video, youth | creative culture | Tags: animation, china, creative, design, magic cube & ping pong, ray, ray lei, rubik's cube, video, 雪磊 | 1 Comment »
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
:: the winner of the Danwei + Plastered + Neocha = RMB 888 t-shirt design contest is Li Zengshan of Weihai, Shandong Province. See his design below…and yes, that’s pretty much the way it looks at Danwei.org headquarters.
Mr Li gets 888 yuan courtesy of Plastered T-shirts, and his design will be turned into a T-shirt in the next two weeks to be sold at Plastered stores and online. Thanks very much to all contest participants: if you would like to receive a gift as a token of our appreciation for your efforts, please email your postal address to . // AJS
Posted in china, design, fashion, neocha.com, youth | creative culture | Tags: contest, danwei, design, fashion, li zengshan, neocha.com, plastered, t-shirt, winner | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
:: I sat down yesterday with local artist and designer Roger Chan (陳中海) to discuss his new collection of unisex bags called TAXI by Chan.
I recently purchased one of his bags in Shanghai at Loomoo and was struck by its organic and natural Chinese characteristics. I asked Chan why the collection is called “TAXI” and his response affirmed by first impression.
“I named the collection TAXI because taxis are everywhere in Shanghai and in China. They also represent a certain openness and extroverted character that I use in the colors of my bags. It’s also about being close to the street.”
Chan says he draws inspiration from old Chinese things. The green canvas bag he was carrying yesterday was modeled after bags used by postmen in Shanghai years ago.
Chen’s main customers are Shanghainese youth. TAXI by Chan’s subtle and mature styles are in direct contrast to the flashy glitz and materialistic nature of higher-end designer bags perhaps more popular among the mainstream demographic in Shanghai / China. His most recent collection features materials from local fabric stores and utilizes canvas and other industrial materials.
Chan began designing and producing bags as a hobby in college and only later decided to pursue design as a full-time profession. He has been putting out bag collections for the past three years.
“When I’m not designing, I like to spend most of my time relaxing,” he said as he smoked cigarette after cigarette.
Many designers in Shanghai force patterns and trends down the throats of consumers. But Chan remains consistent with his simple and classic style. This is clearly reflected in this most recent collection.
A recent quote from John C. Jay, Co-Executive Creative Director of W+K Tokyo (and blogger at honeyee.com) examines a recent youth Japanese consumer trend: “Young Japanese consumers have turned their attention to local brands, not because of price but for the uniqueness that they offer.”
China is not quite reached that tipping point yet, but once they are tired of the “Westernization” of their consumer goods, designers like Roger Chan will step up to satiate their local flavor.
TAXI by Chan can be purchased at Shanghai retailers such as Loomoo (348 Shanxi Bei Rd.) and other select shops. Visit his website to see more of TAXI by Chan at www.bychvan.cn. Chan can be reached by e-mail at rogerchan1900 -AT- gmail -DOT- com. //
[ is a guest contributor on 56minus1]
Posted in art, china, cool hunting, design, fashion, people, trends, urban, youth | creative culture | Tags: bags, china, design, designers, Joey Dembs, John C. Jay, loomoo, Roger Chan, shanghai, Taxi by Chan, 陈中海, 陳中海 | No Comments »
Sunday, April 12th, 2009
:: as a follow up to an earlier 56minus1 post by John, here are some snaps from a cardboard furniture design shop called i-studio that I stumbled upon this weekend in Shanghai (on Changle Rd., near the Huating Rd. intersection). Well designed, sturdy, reasonably priced, and environmentally friendly. Bravo, well done. // AjS
Posted in art, china, cool hunting, design, shanghai, youth | creative culture | Tags: cardboard, changle rd., design, i-studio, shanghai, things well done, xinle rd. | No Comments »
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
:: I’m sure I’ve seen these teller microphones at the Bank of China hundreds of times, but only today did I notice how incredibly retro and well designed they are. Look at it. The 1970s style “on / off” switch, the oversized red power light, the “talk” and “listen” knobs, the screw-head wire connectors – just great! And the whole thing is made of steal steel, even the oval-shaped speaker grill. Wow. This device will last a hundred years. Made by a Shanghainese company called Gladwyn (上海朋源). Very cool. // AjS
Posted in china, cool hunting, design, shanghai, snaps | Tags: bank of china, design, microphone, retro, shanghai, snaps | 2 Comments »
Friday, March 20th, 2009
:: these photos were taken inside my apartment building. It’s an incredible old building (1930s) that continues to surprise me with its art deco detailing and styling. The elevator was problematic today so I took the stairs (a first!), here is what I discovered. Gorgeous. Bravo, well done. // AjS
Posted in architecture, china, cool hunting, design, photography, shanghai, things well done | Tags: architecture, art deco, design, home, stairwell, things well done | No Comments »
snaps | shanghai stairs ::
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
:: taken in Shanghai at the Shimen Yi Lu subway stop, exit #3. // AjS
Posted in cool hunting, design, shanghai, snaps, urban | Tags: design, shanghai, snaps, stairs | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
:: I was in the market for a new bookshelf and now that search is over. These are cheap and environmentally friendly –– can’t go wrong. For more cardboard furniture and things, check out Giles Miller, a cardboard designer. //
[ is a guest contributor on 56minus1.]
Posted in cool hunting, design, things well done | Tags: bookshelves, cardboard, design, furniture, giles miller, innovation, john solomon, things done well | 3 Comments »
Monday, February 23rd, 2009
:: on Sunday, I found a great lazy weekend spot, Bovo Mondo in Shanghai (427 Dagu Lu. 大沽路427号). I was especially impressed with their selection of foreign design books and magazines. The books are not for sale and are actually the owner’s personal collection. He travels the world finding interesting items to bring back to the shop. He has over 2,000 titles and 50 subscriptions. My new favorite magazine, Monocole, is available. This month it features an article on business development in Kunming. //
[ is a guest contributor on 56minus1.]
Posted in cool hunting, shanghai, things well done | Tags: bovo mondo, design, john solomon, monocle, shanghai | 2 Comments »
Sunday, February 22nd, 2009
:: I recently got to know Shanghai-based François Yang, the man behind PHAI DESIGN – I was even fortunate enough to have been gifted a few of his most recent pieces: great stuff. Yang’s work addresses the relationship between design and the problems of human society. As such, Yang aims to create basic products that are environmentally reasonable and friendly, using old and new materials. In this line, titled 1st collection (shown below), Yang uses only recycled materials – aluminum coated aluminum bubble wrap (fun!), Velcro, and nylon / polyester cloth – in designing a handbag, wallet, file pouch (I use it for my laptop accessories), and computer sleeve. You can even pop the bubbles if you want! Bravo, well done. // AjS
Posted in cool hunting, design, fashion, people, shanghai | Tags: 1st collection, design, françois yang, phai design, recycled, shanghai | No Comments »
Sunday, January 4th, 2009
:: Tee-Shirt Factory (link?) packages their products in mini bucket-boxes with a cardboard cut-out showing the enclosed design. The t-shirts themselves are made from paper thin, durable cotton (with 5% spandex, of course) and are form-fitting…scenesters, hipsters, and indie posers alike couldn’t ask for anything more. Bravo, well done. // AjS
I bought this t-shirt in Zhouzhuang but was told this brand has a shop in Shanghai – does anyone know where it is?
Posted in cool hunting, design, fashion, things well done | Tags: design, packaging, posers, tee-factory | No Comments »
