This project is a collaboration with Ronda Design Italy, based on their unique magnetic shelving system. Here, we aim to explore the introduction of Chinese calligraphy into the design of mundane display shelves. We selected one of the most important characters in Chinese culture, "longevity," and created a display symbol that, while recognizable to some Asians, may appear as a pictogram needing explanation to most Europeans or Africans.
This character is composed of different elements that can be unclicked magnetically and reassembled into various shelving systems, entirely commanded by the user. We envision launching a new character each season, allowing users to become the creative force in combining a shelving system that dissects historical Chinese characters.
We believe that sometimes it is not the understanding of the symbol that is important, but rather the observation and admiration of the beauty of human writings in their most geometrical form. As a Chinese individual, I have taken inspiration from my own culture's symbolic pictograms.