|
Day One: Design and Alternative Process Case study on local designer-craftsman collaboration Lee Yu Hin, Brian Presentation Brian Lee focused his presentation on sharing his experience of working collaboratively with local traditional craftspeople. He tired to apply the traditional craftsmanship, which has been close to extinct, to new design. The collaboration is meant to be experimental cases of producing commercially viable prototypes in which the production partners will share rights and profit. The craftspeople that participate in this collaboration are the Lee couple of Yau Kee Wooden Cart Maker. They have been collecting old bed plank and tires in Shamsuipo to make trolleys for 50 years, but the product might soon be eliminated through competition. Yet in fact, the wooden carts transformed from the recycled materials, are durable and environmental friendly; it also contributes to an unobtrusive and spontaneously developed community-based economic network—a complete business cycle involving concepts of recycle of abandoned material and craftsmanship in which mutual benefit is achieved among residents who are lower income living in the old district of Hong Kong. In view of this, Lee stated that to work out a design that would not break this existing community-flow of materials thus became one of the primary targets. The final new product they developed together is a table. In fact the table is not entirely “new”; it is simply a variation of the cart, both the mechanism, making processes and techniques are basically the same as before. Another important point is that the materials and accessories used are the same as well, so the recycling practice within the neighborhood could be kept and the product line is diversified at the same time without extra merchandizing and logistic backup. Lee also emphasized that this approach is also essential for a successful collaboration. Every “new” design has to acknowledge and respect the craftspeople’s technical limitations and existing working habits. In this experience, the Lee couple was reluctant for “newness” at the beginning. But the familiar design which was closed to their existing practice encouraged them to start and give their own idea. In fact Mrs. Lee contributed a lot in the process. The example of Brian Lee and the Lee couple shows the possibility of future co-operation between designer and local craftspeople. The product streaming from this kind of co-operation would not be suitable for mass-production. But this limitation is exactly an ideal model for developing community based and custom-made business. So Lee hope this experience could be a trial for the future synergy between craftspeople, designers and community.
Between April and June 2007, a group of Hong Kong young designers were enlisted to work with the local craftspeople, such as metal craftsman, rattan furniture maker and seamstresses. The purpose is to apply the traditional craftsmanship, which has been close to extinct especially owing to urban re-development, to new design. The project is helped with the network and system of local NGOs, recycling scheme for example. The collaboration is meant to be experimental cases of producing commercially viable prototypes in which the production partners will share rights and profit. This project is a follow-up to the research exhibition In Search of Marginalized Wisdom – Sham Shui Po Craftspersons Exhibition held earlier in 2007. Participating designers include: Cheung Lik, Chong Wai-yung , Pisces Chu, Benny Lau, Brian Lee , Tony Lim, Samuel Ng, Cat Ong, and Albert Tsang. Participating craftemen-workshop include: Yau Kee Wooden Cart Making, Ho Chung Kee Metal Work, Tat-shing Rattan Furniture Worskhop, and Victory Metal. Brian Lee graduates of BA(HONS) Industrial Design and MA in Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He works as a lecturer teaching industrial design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University since 2006 and also a member of Association of Design & Cultural Studies. He is dedicated to the study and development of traditional Chinese art & crafts such as furniture |
| X Close | |
