Background
During my exchange to London in my second year of study in NAFA, I was studying under UAL BA in Product and Furniture Design. In the 7 weeks I was there, I was given the project on “Fans”, in which we needed to in re-look, enhance and innovate on the fan. This is the outcome of that project.
Design Process
Research Work
I explored the use of fans in performance and dance, combining my interests in Design and Dance. Initially studying Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish fan dances, I observed their storytelling role. Following UAL lecturers' advice, I examined performance in the service industry, like noodle pulling and live cooking, which led me to traditional rituals such as tea ceremonies. Inspired by these rituals' social aspects, I considered incorporating fan mechanisms into tea ceremonies to enhance their performative and conversational roles. Additionally, I explored Chindogu, creating ingenious yet impractical items as humorous conversation starters.
Ideation & Making Process
Based on my research, I began ideating various tools for different tea ceremonies, inspired by the Chindogu concept to create simpler, quirky items. I developed sketches and mock-ups to explore how fan mechanisms could be integrated into tea cultures worldwide. From these, I selected three ideas that emphasized the playful nature of Chindogu, avoiding overly practical designs. This decision also aligned with my project timeline, allowing me to focus on creating three distinct products.
Final Design
High Three is a collection of tools that explores the ideas of movement in the tea-making process, incorporating the mechanism of a fan.
Based on the Japanese idea of Chindogu, these products serve one specific (and sometimes questionable) functions. Their single-use highlights the rituals and performances present in brewing tea. This ritualistic task of preparing tea daily cultivates a comfortable space where conversation, gossip and discussion can happen easily. To enhance this aspect, Tea Tools aims to serve as a fun conversation starter, using their unique uses and movements to create a lively and relaxing environment.
As a homage to London and Singapore, I decided to base my tea tools on both cultures. From the classy afternoon tea party that inspired the Tea Cosy Fan, to the simplicity of London’s builder tea inspiring the Tea Identifier, and to tea pulling in Kopitiam inspiring the Fan Cups; this commemorates my studies in London and Singapore.
Collection Details
Tea Identifier
Inspired by London’s builder tea culture a very strong black tea is made very quickly, with sugar and milk added. It is defined by its simplicity and imperfection, with it emphasizing catering to each person’s preference. The Tea Identifier highlights this variety of preferences by allowing people to identify the name of their tea colour.
How to Use: Place the Tea Identifier over the cup of tea you have made. Then use the different panels to identify the name of the tea its colouring corresponds to.
Fan Cups
Inspired by Singapore’s local drink, Teh Tarik, in which tea is mixed with condensed milk by pouring between 2 cups. This helps to properly mix and froth up the drink, as well as cool it down to the right temperature.
The Fan Cups aims to highlight that movement of pouring the tea between the cups, by incorporating the mechanism found in a fan. How to Use: As you lift the cup higher to pour, the
pleated paper unfurls itself to resemble a
folding fan.
Tea Cosy Fan
Inspired by the tea cosy placed over teapot during British afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is an integral part of British culture, serving as a mini meal before dinner.
Just like a tea cosy, the Tea Cosy Fan serves as a cover for the teapot, keeping the tea inside hot. But once it is removed from the teapot, it transforms into a fan that resembles a European folding Fan. How to Use: First, remove the Tea Cosy Fan from the teapot. Then, pull the cord and bead to tighten the Tea Cosy Fan to transform it into a fan. And finally hold the end and you have your Tea Cosy Fan to fan yourself.
More Information
If you wish to find out more about the project, you can find out more in my reflective journal below which highlights my own approach and thinking for this.