JI JIAN WU (吉简物)
Decorating object inspired by Feng Shui Objects
Inspired by the richness of Chinese culture embedded in Feng Shui objects, JI JIAN WU (吉简物) presents a contemporary take on these traditional objects. Whether you are a believer, the receiver is gifted with well-wishes.
Final Year Projects
National University of Singapore (2019)
Showcase in Visions of the Future (2020): https://visionsofthefuture.sg/
The collection is available at www.didit.sg
Design Motivation
This project started by exploring the traditional Chinese elements and the rich culture that Feng Shui and Feng Shui ojects carries has attracted and amazed me to develop my project further.
Design Background
Feng Shui (geomantic omen), an old and unique Chinese theory/academic that involved many disciplines such as geography, also addresses the relationship between human beings and nature.
Today, Feng Shui has become a cultural practice, belief and expectation of achieving an ideal life and future. It can be divide into mainly two practices. My design focus on the second practice which is the displaying of Feng Shui items to enhance good luck.
Practice 1
To determine and achieving the ideal location and interior structure of a residential/working space by investigating the flow of energy.
Practice 2
Display Feng Shui items to balance the flow of energy in the space to discharge or improve the bad or good Feng Shui, enhance good fortune.
Design Research
After decided on area of focus, further researches are done in several aspects.
There are many different types of traditional Feng Shui items and each item comes with different purposes.
They are not restricted to Feng Shui practice.
They derived from the traditional Chinese auspicious decorative element used since ancient China.
The meaning of those items came from Chinese legends or traditional folklore, some are given the auspicious meaning because of the pronunciation of its name.
People who practice this usually differ by their level of beliefs, result in different buying behaviour and preference of placing of feng shui items.
The online survey and interview are conducted to understand people’s current perception of Feng Shui and items used.
Interview with Feng Shui consultant to understand the current market.
Site research to understand what is new in the market such as modern Fen Shui items.
Design Opportunity
To summaries from the research, there is an opportunity to redesign the traditional Feng Shui items with a contemporary appearance and make it acceptable for Feng Shui believer.
Also, the Feng Shui item carries rich Chinese cultural and auspicious meaning that could be given as a gift with well-wishes, which can be own by anyone.
In addition, to provide a new channel to communicate Chinese culture that is fading away by using the redesigned Feng Shui article as a storytelling tool.
Design Approach
Redesign the appearance of traditional Feng Shui articles with contemporary design, highlighting the unique elements of each item and integrate them into a visual element.
Design Concept
My aim of this project is to reinterpret the traditional Feng shui items to allow integration to the contemporary living space. Keeping the essential cultural elements of each object, not only bring the well-wishes to the receiver but also used it as a storytelling tool to continue passing down the Chinese intangible culture.
Concept Development
Five Feng Shui items were selected as the first design category. The items were selected based on the common buying and the purposes people usually looking for. Development process including form, material and finishing.
Final Design
The final design comes in a collection of five, each represents an aspect of a better life that people aspire: Happiness, Wealth, Health, Success, Relationship.
金蟾 Jin Chan
财富 Wealth
In Chinese culture, the toad with only three legs is a symbol of wealth. It goes around to sucks in money and spits out money from its tummy to help the poor. In Feng Shui, it is believed can help you draw more money or enhance wealth luck.
葫芦 Hu Lu
健康 Health
葫芦 (Hu Lu): Calabash
福禄 (Fu Lu): Fortune, happiness and prosperity career
In Feng Shui, Hu Lu has power to purifying bad and store good energy and fortune. It also can remove sickness and bring good health.
麒麟 Qi Lin
幸福 Happiness
Qi Lin in Chinese culture represents the auspicious and blessing of happiness, carries many good wishes. In Feng Shui practise, Qi Lin used to enhance good fortune in many aspects.
貔貅 Pi Xiu
辟邪 Exorcise
Pi Xiu is a fierce auspicious creature, have the power to turn bad luck to good, often used to keep the vile away, also the guardian of wealth and house in Feng Shui practice.
马 Horse
成功 Success
The horse is used to symbolize success in Chinese culture. An additional plate is added on top of the horse, which implies the meaning of achieving or getting something soon or immediately.
马上有桃花 (ma shang you tao hua)：
flower on top of horse or, in love sooon
Other Collection
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