感性 - Kansei

What is Kansei (chinese,japanese: 感性)?

In Japan, the terminology of Kansei draws back on the German philosopher, Baumgarten. His work AESTHETICA (1750) was the first study that influenced Kansei engineering[1]. The aim of Kansei study is to seek the structure of emotions which exists beneath human behaviors. This structure is reffered to as a person’s Kansei. In the art and design field, Kansei is one of the most important elements which brings the willing or power of creation. In research by Harada, it was found that the attitude of a person in front of art work and design is not based on logic but on Kansei[2].

The word “Kansei” is interpreted variously and has been used in many researches related with not only design but also other research fields. It is a word which inclusively involves the meaning of words such as sensitivity, sense, sensibility, feeling, aesthetics, emotion, affection and intuition. Fig.1 shows the etymology of Kansei and Chisei (chinese, japanese: 知性) interpreted from Chinese characters, both of which are processed in human minds when they receive the information from the external world. As you see in the figure, Chisei works to increase the knowledge or understanding which is matured by verbal descriptions of logical facts. And Kansei works to increase the creativity through images with feelings or emotions. But we cannot doubt the fact that both Chisei and Kansei have the same level of power to stimulate human behaviors. So far, the practice of most designers has focused on Chisei. Kansei has been regarded as a totally subjective phenomenon so that anyone in the world has their own individual way of absorbing and presenting. In front of a painting, we appreciate it without thinking of any rules but ‘just’ feel a pleasure. (to find out more..)

More about it at :

1) On Kansei And Kansei Design - A Description of Japanese Design Approach

2) Pleasure with Products : Design based on Kansei

text & image from: http://studiolab.io.tudelft.nl/static/gems/publications/00Lee_PWPPlea.pdf

posted by afterrabbit

iida - PLY

iida has recently made a new addition into its mobile line - PLY. Beyond its formal expression, PLY bears the profound meaning of "lamination layers" - layers of time, culture, technology and design. Everything that encompasses us continually accretes layer upon layer until it finally produces something of new value.

Forward-looking, yet utter direct in projecting nostalgic impressions of the schedule books and old cassette players from the very first sight of it. The design seems intending to signify how all modern entertainment and working means are now brought to us in one slim and convenient device, showing the way of the future yet at the same time reminding us of where we've come from.

Certainly the only mobile phone design (that I can recall) which is so sympathetic to our memories of the good old times :-)

Function tabs on the side of PLY (top) reminiscent of the buttons on Sony Walkman (bottom left) and tab markers of schedule notebooks (bottom right).

Functions follow - the Old - forms.

I don't know how This one above came about and it most certainly is not the original design. Pretty cool nonetheless.

images from: http://image.itmedia.co.jp/l/im/mobile/articles/0904/07/l_yo_kddims03.jpg & http://ilovestickytape.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html & http://www.freewebs.com/djsnowatlarge/performancesschedule.htm & http://iida.jp/english/products/ply/

posted by afterrabbit

Visions of a Village - Contest

This is a contest for the visions of an ideal sustainable village: a place where you would want to live, study, work and experience the challenges and rewards of an ecologically durable lifestyle. In other words: to define the future of living.

HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE?

You can draw, sketch, take photographs, paint, use digital design tools to create images, or even submit poetry (however, poetry must make a visual statement as well as all entries will be treated as images). You can be as creative as you like, but please keep in mind the key words and goals of the CLEAR Village.

Distil your vision in to a 600dpi horizontal A4 image and send it through sendspace.com, following the instructions mentioned underneath.

Key words:

Collaborative, participatory, connected, global, vernacular, secular, inclusive, multi-generational, multi-functional, adaptive, evolutive, holistic, systemic, community, self-sufficient, sustainable, aspirational, future, masterplan, rural, reboot, low-tech, hi-tech.

Goals of the CLEAR Village Foundation:

Develop an aspirational future of living in the midst of financial and ecological crisis. Co-design a replicable masterplan strategy with global experts to reboot rural & peri-urban areas. Harmonise low-tech romantic ideals with 21st century high-tech solutions and which offers alternative paths to non-sensical new builds.

PRIZES

First Prize: 2500€
Two Runners Up: 1250€ each

Winners names will be published in CLEAR Village publications and the winning entries will be showcased there.

Deadline: 23rd September 2009

Submission through E-mail.

(to find out more..)

taken from: http://www.clear-village.org/contest

posted by afterrabbit

Recyclable spoon

End of the disposable plastic revolution? Maybe.

It came with the nasi lemak packet I bought for breakfast.

Top view:



Underside:



Use only once! Dispose after use.

Prone to gravy and sauce stains (in this case here, sambal)

Users might get the weird feeling of biting paper.

An alternative to disposable plastics. Go green! =)

posted by ling

The Shanghai Corporate Pavillion for World Expo 2010 / Atelier Feichang Jianzhu

Technological Detail and Environmental Protection

1. Solar Energy System

The Shanghai Corporate Pavilion features a 1600m2 solar heat-collecting tube on the roof. These solar tube can collect solar energy to produce hot water up to 95°C. Ultra-low temperature power generation techology, a novel way to generate electricity through solar power. The power generated using this technology can be used for both the exposition and for every day.

2. Recycled Plastic materials

Shanghai produces nearly 30 million of waste CDs every year, and only 25% of them are reclaimed and recycled. If these CDs were reclaimed and washed, they could be used to produce polycarbonate granules and manufacture more polycarbonate plastic products. The external facade materials of the Shanghai Corporate Pavilion will use polycarbonate transparent plastic tubes to create its dreamlike appearance. After the Expo, also plastic tubes can be easily recycled to reduce social wastage.

3. Water/mist System

For the Shanghai Corporate pavilion, rainwater will be collected and recycled. After such treatment as sedimentation, filtration and storage, rainwater can be used for daily purposes at the pavilion and for the “mist” in particular. The mist can lower the temperature, purify the air and create a comfortable climate in pavilion. The spray can also be used to form various patterns under ceiling of entrance hall and make the overall appearance of the Shanghai Corporate Pavilion fresh and elegant
(to find out more..)

images and passage from:
http://www.archdaily.com/33751/the-shanghai-corporate-pavillion-for-world-expo-2010/

posted by midori mizu