The design process for the Arc Chair began in 2015 with an interest in understanding the relationship between Eastern and Western aesthetics. Through historical research, I understood how many Scandinavian designers, such as Hans Wegner, had been strongly influenced by Chinese furniture from the 17th century Ming Dynasty.
As a Chinese-American designer, I have become fascinated by this cultural exchange of identity through products. How can industrial design interpret traditional Chinese aesthetics in a contemporary context? Through investigating this question, I continue to iterate upon this concept by combining a Ming Dynasty backrest with a bent laminated seat. By pairing these two components, a visual language is created to celebrate two contrasting cultures.
As a Chinese-American designer, I have become fascinated by this cultural exchange of identity through products. How can industrial design interpret traditional Chinese aesthetics in a contemporary context? Through investigating this question, I continue to iterate upon this concept by combining a Ming Dynasty backrest with a bent laminated seat. By pairing these two components, a visual language is created to celebrate two contrasting cultures.
