Enamel Experiment
SEP 2014 - MAR 2015 “ To design is much more than simply to assemble,
to order, or even to edit: it is to add value and meaning,
#product #design #craft #material #upcycle to illuminate, to simplify, to clarify, to modify, to dignify,
#recycle #old craps #transform #reborn to dramatize, to persuade, and perhaps even to amuse.
To design is to transform prose into poetry. ”
SEP 2014 - MAR 2015 “ To design is much more than simply to assemble,
to order, or even to edit: it is to add value and meaning,
#product #design #craft #material #upcycle to illuminate, to simplify, to clarify, to modify, to dignify,
#recycle #old craps #transform #reborn to dramatize, to persuade, and perhaps even to amuse.
To design is to transform prose into poetry. ”
– Paul Rand (art director,graphic designer.1914-1996) ✷ Output :
Artworks series 01 : ceiling lamps (*5 )
Artworks series 02 : vases (*4 )
Artworks series 02 : vases (*4 )
( Left photo ) The core value of Enamel Experiment project : Reborn of the broken / abandon metalwares.
( Right Photo ) Testing sample : big scale of enamel apply to the bad quality metal.
( Right Photo ) Testing sample : big scale of enamel apply to the bad quality metal.
Enamel Experiment is a conceptual project of transforming abandoned metalwares into living products via reform, reassemble and refinishing surface with enamel coating.
The most challenging part of this project is enamel coating. How to coating enamel on these bad quality metalwares? As knowing, the enamel glaze can only apply on specific kinds of metal, like pure gold, silver, copper...etc because of the chemical reaction. It must be those very high quality metal kinds and clean surface, or enamel can not attach to surface successfully. So, this is the most big challenge of this project. Robin Mathew once said “design is where science and art break even.” which describing the whole spirit of this project so well in a sentence.
The most challenging part of this project is enamel coating. How to coating enamel on these bad quality metalwares? As knowing, the enamel glaze can only apply on specific kinds of metal, like pure gold, silver, copper...etc because of the chemical reaction. It must be those very high quality metal kinds and clean surface, or enamel can not attach to surface successfully. So, this is the most big challenge of this project. Robin Mathew once said “design is where science and art break even.” which describing the whole spirit of this project so well in a sentence.
( Left ) Abandoned metalwares collecting resource.
( Right ) The 3 steps : Concept of making the best use of objects from ancient Asian wisdom.
( Right ) The 3 steps : Concept of making the best use of objects from ancient Asian wisdom.
Besides the enamel coating, another main challenge is the combination of metal craps. Good combination makes brand new form, but also keep the original characters of each object itself. So how to balance the aesthetics between single object and the overall form at the same time is important. For this purpose, over 50 types of combination has been tested, and the result comes to these 5 as a final versions.
Although the combination is decided, but the reality is “HOW”?
Each new form is combined by over 8 different objects, how to connect each others in a smart way is a big problem to face, it also needs the rich metal production knowledges and flexible mind to think out of frame to solve problems. Of course the electronic routes and components of lighting needs to be considered as well.
Each new form is combined by over 8 different objects, how to connect each others in a smart way is a big problem to face, it also needs the rich metal production knowledges and flexible mind to think out of frame to solve problems. Of course the electronic routes and components of lighting needs to be considered as well.
The final form of these 5 lamps.
Surprisingly, even though each single component is came out by mass production in industrial way, and of course their original function is nothing about decoration, but the final forms are more alike the Decorativeism, like some kind of Istanbul art style buildings. Take No.3 TURQUOISE for example, the components from top to down are : onze cup / parts of towel rail / tea filter / door handle / sink drainer / rooftop drainer / pot / steam basket ... and so on, each of them are functional purpose just exactly as the famous saying : “Form is underpinned by function.”
Surprisingly, even though each single component is came out by mass production in industrial way, and of course their original function is nothing about decoration, but the final forms are more alike the Decorativeism, like some kind of Istanbul art style buildings. Take No.3 TURQUOISE for example, the components from top to down are : onze cup / parts of towel rail / tea filter / door handle / sink drainer / rooftop drainer / pot / steam basket ... and so on, each of them are functional purpose just exactly as the famous saying : “Form is underpinned by function.”
The process sketches, thinking of the solution
of combinations. Also the technical drawing for communication to the professional metalware makers. Designers might be full of creative ideas, but when comes to the production,they still need trustable good partners, who is rich in making experience.
of combinations. Also the technical drawing for communication to the professional metalware makers. Designers might be full of creative ideas, but when comes to the production,they still need trustable good partners, who is rich in making experience.
This is the final result of coating of No.2 NEMO.
After the countless times of failure, the brilliant solution finally comes out and makes enamle powder enable to attach to different kinds of metalwares successfully. Over 30 minutes with temperature above 500 degree in the electric kiln, the coating surface naturally form these small bubble due to the air of water-based adhesive from the first layer. It takes couple of times to figure out the proper temperature and baking time for each different color enamel powder, since each one of them has its own melting degree.
After the countless times of failure, the brilliant solution finally comes out and makes enamle powder enable to attach to different kinds of metalwares successfully. Over 30 minutes with temperature above 500 degree in the electric kiln, the coating surface naturally form these small bubble due to the air of water-based adhesive from the first layer. It takes couple of times to figure out the proper temperature and baking time for each different color enamel powder, since each one of them has its own melting degree.
Of course things are not always go easy, when there is another unpredictable variable problem hiding, which is the metal parts combination. Because the combining components are collected from recycle plants, the metal kinds and qualities are not the same. Some of them are unable to take such a high temperature like over 500 degree, because their melting degree might be much more lower than enamel powder.
So when this situation happens, it will turn out like a mess and have no choice but to start it all over again, since each components are the only one, and also irreversible.
Lamp No.5 19th
Size : 250 * 250 * 280 (mm)
Enamel color code : #122 bamboogreen
Baking temperature : 730 ℃
Baking time : 35 min
Electroplating : #28 Ni, Nickel
Metalware components :
Pot lid handle /
ball bearing /
kitchen sink drainer /
balanced scale for chinese medical herb /
pot /
Size : 250 * 250 * 280 (mm)
Enamel color code : #122 bamboogreen
Baking temperature : 730 ℃
Baking time : 35 min
Electroplating : #28 Ni, Nickel
Metalware components :
Pot lid handle /
ball bearing /
kitchen sink drainer /
balanced scale for chinese medical herb /
pot /
[color testing]
The color of enamel powder has a big difference between baked
and unbaked. These door handle lids are the most suitable as a
color sample, because of the slightly curve surface able to see
the finishing luster texture of enamel coating.
Each color code has been placed on two different electroplating
lids, one is nickel plating and the other is copper plating, the
different color of these plating also matter the final finnishing color.
[metalwares surface cleaning]
Those abandoned metalwares always have multiple layers on their
surface,which will make the metal baking situation more complicated.
In order to get rid of the unpredictable factors of baking procedure,
these multiple layers must to be clean, to make the body skin more
pure.The enamel coating succeed more higher after fixing all the
metalware surfaces.
[electronic Kiln]
The kinds of the kiln also need to be considered. For the clean and
gentle-rising temperature environment needs, the controlable
temperature electronic kiln is the most proper one for enamel.
The heater of the electronic kiln also very considerable comes from
each side, makes the baking environment same heat at the same time.
The color of enamel powder has a big difference between baked
and unbaked. These door handle lids are the most suitable as a
color sample, because of the slightly curve surface able to see
the finishing luster texture of enamel coating.
Each color code has been placed on two different electroplating
lids, one is nickel plating and the other is copper plating, the
different color of these plating also matter the final finnishing color.
[metalwares surface cleaning]
Those abandoned metalwares always have multiple layers on their
surface,which will make the metal baking situation more complicated.
In order to get rid of the unpredictable factors of baking procedure,
these multiple layers must to be clean, to make the body skin more
pure.The enamel coating succeed more higher after fixing all the
metalware surfaces.
[electronic Kiln]
The kinds of the kiln also need to be considered. For the clean and
gentle-rising temperature environment needs, the controlable
temperature electronic kiln is the most proper one for enamel.
The heater of the electronic kiln also very considerable comes from
each side, makes the baking environment same heat at the same time.
During the 2015 YODEX (Taiwanese Young Designers)exhibition, this project luckily win the golden prize of 2015 young pin design award and the benchmark award of ASUS venture challenge,these bring to lots of media reports and magazine interview as well.
This project has been reported on TAIWAN CRAFT magazine, BEIJING ART & DESIGN magazine, MAKK museum press and KOLNER designer preis. Same year, ENAMEL EXPERIMENT also honorly had a chance to join a group exhibition with KISD in MAKK museum for over one month.
This project has been reported on TAIWAN CRAFT magazine, BEIJING ART & DESIGN magazine, MAKK museum press and KOLNER designer preis. Same year, ENAMEL EXPERIMENT also honorly had a chance to join a group exhibition with KISD in MAKK museum for over one month.
Some reporter asked why ENAMEL EXPERIMENT comes out ceiling lamps but not other kinds of product while interviewing. It’s true that not only ceiling lamps, but also everything else could be the body of ENAMEL EXPERIMENT, but when says to the delicated products, lamps are definitly the one which can properly suit the most. Within the sensorium is a transcriber, or a synthesizing faculty, using synonymous intangibles where association and experience fail: as the capacity of certain sounds to induce colour images, certain arabesque forms may find aesthetic truth.
