Yu-Chi Wang

Yu-Chi is a Taiwanese designer with the background in industrial design and Product design.

During his bachelor’s studies he accumulated a lot of knowledge in the theory of design and how to frame a design narrative. Detail-oriented, performance-driven and highly accomplished, he is seeking posts-graduate experience to advance his knowledge of design and develop his passion. In RCA, he cannot wait to get his hands dirty to explore new methods and learn new techniques. From production to conceptual designs, he has worked on projects covering subjects such as well-being, sustainability, furniture, medical design and many more.

Award

2017 - iF talented award Winner

2017 - Reddot Design Award Best of Best

2017 - Golden Pin Concept Design Award Best of year

2017 - Young Pin Design Award Best of the year

2016 - International Design Excellence Award Gold Winner

2016 - International Design Excellence Award Curator's Choice

2015 - Reddot Design Award Winner

Yu-Chi can dissociate himself from the bias of personal experiences and preferences, thinking about design from a broader perspective, and analyse the core of and solve a problem with a critical, rational eye.

His practice is purpose-centric, and he has a knack for analysing real motives behind different behaviours. Furthermore, he has an acute sense of curiosity and keen attention to detail in solving problems to maximise the product's impact.

Besides, he does not shy away from testing peculiar ideas. His works profuse with innovative ideas which try to find the intersection between aesthetic-oriented craft and function-oriented industry.

Brief — A piece of Light is a series of lighting products for the household. Utilizing print circuit technology placed on an aluminum sheet, the LED and components are placed directly onto the shade. The user could thread the wire and fold the sheet into a 3D shape for a lighting products. Through the flat-shaped design lampshade with the electronic component attached on, it would became repairable, adaptable and customizable.

Launch Project

The LED — Based on my previous repairing research. This project aims to think the concept of light source and reinvent the relationship between the light source and the decorative products.

Repairability — The novelty of this project is based on my previous project, revamping the already existing PCB design. The problem with traditional LED lighting products is that if any of the connections in the series is buried, the product fails. However, the lifetime of the product can easily be extended with just a little intervention. Blank spaces are added in the circuit design so that a broken component is easily bypassed by adding stickers.

Self-assembling — The design allows the user to be part of the creation process. The wire as threading element inspired by leather craft. The user form the aluminum sheet into a 3D, creating an intimate interaction with the product. This process personalizes the experience for each individual, making it both physical and emotional, and thus, forges a deep connection between product and user.

How the circuit board becomes a part of the product?

The unique flat-shape design is beneficial for integration, like a free rethink of printed circuits board, simplifies production. Through the DIY creative process, users could build up the lighting products by themselves.

Also, the components are able to be placed in a larger volume place which could benefit on heat dissipation and extend the lifetime because they are not limited in the small bulb.

Due to the benefit of printing circuits on a flat-shape, the LED sources are able to located in any place and reflected by the aluminum. This means user could customize the light products in any shape or brightness.

Medium:

Circuit based on Aluminum, electronic components

Size:

Various

Series of Products

Object. 001

Object. 002

Object. 003

Medium:

Circuit based on Aluminum, electronic components

Design through making

Series of prototyping

4.0 Deconstruct and construct the lightbulb

5.0 Modular lighting system

Works-like prototype

6.0 What if weaving the circuit board to form objects

7.0 Wire as a connecting element

The methodology in this project is designing through making. During the process, I was thoroughly hands-on, practically applying my technical knowledge with a creative thinking.

Through relentless experimenting, testing and iterating, I tried to present a conecept of lighting products, taking both technical and aesthetics into consideration.

Yu-Chi Wang

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Royal College of Art