e
This Industrial Design Consultancy is Like China's Version of frogdesign in the '90s
Fresh form factors from Shenzhen-based IU+Design
It's hard to believe now, but there was a time when German design was not well-regarded; in the 19th century the Teutonic states just didn't have it together. (The Wiener Werkstatte helped change things.) Similarly, Japanese cars were hardly masterpieces in the '50s, and few desired Korean appliances in the '80s. Nowadays, of course, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan and Korea are countries whose design and manufacturing command global respect.
So what I'm watching for is the emergence of modern Chinese design that can compete on the world stage. That point where it goes from derivative junk to "Whoa, when did this happen?" For the past few decades the country has earned its reputation for knock-offs, unoriginal thinking and poorly-made goods, as that's what their system has rewarded. Their manufacturing techniques have since improved markedly, but the design has not caught up—yet. However, assuming geniuses are a fixed segment of the population that can emerge with the proper facilitation, numerically speaking China should be killing it in the design game. With 1.4 billion people, how many undiscovered Charles & Ray Eameses or Dieter Ramses are walking the streets of Shenzhen? Where are the nascent frogdesigns of China?
Today I came across the website of IU+Design, a Shenzhen-based industrial design consultancy. The company has a deep portfolio, a number of clients and, tellingly, has not bothered providing an English-language version of their website; in other words they can thrive without American custom. And in their portfolio, I do see something that reminds me, in spirit, of the frogdesign of the '90s: Simple geometry, a playfulness, a willingness to experiment. Some examples (and apologies, but the company offers little in the way of descriptive details):
Projector
Sorting Trash Can
Baby Bottle with Flip Lid
Solar Rechargeable Pocket Lamp with Compass
Portable Spray Sterilizer
Paper Pattern Punches for Children
Household UV Sterilizers
Air Fryer
Remote Pet Feeders with Camera
That's literally a fraction of their book; there's plenty more to see here.
-
o3Favorite This
-
Q3Comment
Directory Company Profiles
Core77
Industrial Design
Resources
Industrial Design
Resources
-
Core77 Directory
Find the Best Industrial Design CompaniesGo -
Fresco Design
Fresco supports world-class brands with world-class design. Based in the Boston area, a leading inno...
-
Mighty Studios
Mighty Studios is a business-savvy product design consultancy. We believe that good design should be...
-
FLUID Design
FLUID (former LUNAR Europe) is an award-winning creative design and innovation agency located in Mun...
-
Spitfire Industry
WHO WE ARE Spitfire is a design studio headquartered in Brooklyn. Our founder, Isis Shiffer, an awa...
-
Cardboard Helicopter Product Design
We are a boutique product development studio in Cleveland, Ohio, and we make ideas fly. Drop us a l...
-
Sundberg-Ferar | Product Innovation Studio
Sundberg-Ferar, a product design firm, helps the world's leading durable product companies to turn c...
-
Bould Design
BOULD DESIGN is a strategic partner for bringing highly functional, beautiful and successful product...
K
{Welcome
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
K
Reset Password
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.
Comments
Exactly, not minor but major design flaws in every catagory.
I like what Shenzhen-based studio LeapX do, can be placed to the list
Many of these are obvious in their lack of usability or practicality. The projector needs to be able to cast sound in all directions, since people often sit behind or to the side. The cleft in the sorting trash can is going to gather crud at an alarming rate. They don't show the bottle with the lid flipped; if the eyes are the pivot, then there's nowhere for the lid to go. A compass is a mere novelty without a scale, and if it is a lamp they don't show it lit. Spray sterilizers typically have a pistol grip or an angled top grip – the flat top grip will cause wrist fatigue. The pet feeders have no way for the food to get from the hopper to the bowl. The air fryer might be fine?