1) Did the work come out as expected (or as you hypothesized)? What would you do differently next time? Did you enjoy this lab?
There is only a tiny bit dot which came out ad expected. (Yes, the blue spot.) I guess for the next time, my drawings need to be simplified more, and get every rule completely clear before I start drawing on the algae plate. The whole experience was still pretty good.
2) Are there similar repair practices to kintsugi in your home country? Which of the Long Life Design criteria does kintsugi fulfill? Do you think a slow and long process of repair can make an object more meaningful? Does this kind of repair appeal to you? Do you think repaired kintsugi designs can become more interesting than the original?
I was not really familiar with this skill until I searched up online that Chinese do have this skill called Qishan or Jinshan, which is even the origin of this skill. There are also other ways of doing this like fixing the miss piece of a bowl or “stapling” the pieces together. (add pictures)
Except the feature of “Repair”, I think Design, Function and Cost from the Long life Design criteria can be matched with kingtsugi as well. The repaired object is still functional whether as an actual container or a decoration. I think usually the better and more delicate an object is, the longer time it would take to be fixed, but it does not mean that it would make it more meaningful. As long as the fixed object fits the goal of using or decorating, it should be considered as a meaningful piece. I personally really like how bowls look after they are repaired, but I feel like I want to learn this skill. I think I would get bored and get stressed out easily because I could not put broken pieces together to make a beautiful repaired object. For kintsugi design, I like its golden classical lines intercrossed on the bowl. In order to make it more interesting, I think artists could try to use these golden lines to form some specific drawings which could bring more appeal to the original objects.
3) One thing you can do: Fix it.and At Repair Cafes, ‘Beloved but Broken’ Possessions Find New Life. Would you like to visit a repair cafe or attend a repair party? Why do you think so many people are interested in repair?
Yes, I think I would like to one of the repair cafes. I was touched by the last necklace repaired, and I think the reason that people are interested in repair because they are fixing the object while bringing the memories back to the objects as well. Once the object is broken, I feel like people would feel sadder because the old memories related to this instead of just its being unfunctional. When people help to fix object, it is more like they try to bring it back to life, and people who successfully repair objects could feel a large amount of sense of achievement and satisfaction.
4) Waste not want not: Sweden to give tax breaks for repairs.Would you like to see this kind of tax be possible in your home country? Do you think it is possible there or the United States? Why or why not?
I think it is a great policy of Sweden government because it could stimulate people pay more attention to get their stuff repaired instead of getting a brand-new one. I do not if this kind of rule will fit in my country. China is a country with large population. My concern is that because people are told that repairing their stuff could reduce the tax, so there are many people who want to get their objects fixed. Because there are too many people want technicians to fix their stuff, the limited number of technicians cannot afford the increasing number of objects and they might ask for higher price of repairing them. In that case, people might prefer to buy a new one because of the similar prices between a fixed one and new one. I guess I would apply the same reason in United States as well, so this rule might not be really suitable for US as well. Also, I think rich people do not really care whether buying a new or get fixed one to reduce their tax.
5) Spend the Money for the Good Boots and Wear the Forever. Do you agree with the author of this article? Do you think an object has to be expensive to be well made? What might make people want to take care of objects, even if they aren’t expensive?
I think it depends on people who would like to wear the clothes for long time or not. Buying expensive products with good quality only fits the classical styling clothes. Sometimes because the clothes are out of fashion, even though they are still in good condition, many people prefer not to wear them. Also, it is kind of hard to decide whether the high price would equal to good quality for lasting long time. Also, an object does not have to be expensive to show its good quality. Also, as a white t-shirt, whatever how good the quality is, I do not believe that it would last over ten year and still look like new one, because white color is easily get faded into yellowish white. What is more, good-quality object needs to be taken good care of as well. If a leather jacket is not wiped often, it might get white mold on it in a relatively wet storage. As long as that clothing has some value to a person, I believe that person will try to preserve as best as that person could.
6) Origami-inspired clothing line that grows with kids wins Dyson award. What do you think of this design? What is most innovative about it? Do you think it’s possible for adults to enjoy long life design clothing or objects that transform/change in other ways (than getting bigger)?
It is a really durable product for kids, and it is a great clothing designed for kid. The most innovative part of this clothes is that it can be extended in two directions for kids who grow quickly at their early ages. I think for adults, this kind of extended clothes are a bit unnecessary because adults’ body shape usually do not change in a really obvious way. I think for pregnant women, this kind of clothes could be applied, so they can wear it during pregnancy or not. Other than that, these clothes do not look really fashionable, so I assume that it will not create a good adult consuming market.
Chose a Repair
What object will you repair and why?
I would like to try to repair my hoodie’s pocket because its color got bleached.
Do you consider repair to be an important design skill?
For my hoodie’s repair, I consider it as a design skill because I want to create some pretty patters to cover the bleached color.
Do Research
What are 2-3 possible ways this object could be repaired?
It has to put some clothes to cover it.
What do you need in order to do the repair?
I choose to knit stitch patterns to cover the part.
Do you have the materials and skills?
I have sewing kit, but I just learned the stitching skills online before I started it.
How have you closely considered your choice of materials (not using toxic glue/plastic etc.)?
I think it took long time, but the materials are not toxic at all.
What will your process of repair be?
I need to design patterns to cover the old smudge but stitch different color patterns on it.
How long do you expect the repair take? How long do you want your repair to last?
Probably 4 hours, I think. I hope I can last until I do not want to wear it anymore.
Does it work?
Was the repair successful?
I consider it came out successfully.
Are you happy with the results?
Yes, I am happy about it. I just took longer time than I thought I would take.
Is the repair more beautiful/interesting in some way than the original? How is the object more resilient after the repair?
I think it looks prettier than before, because I add different colors and flower patterns on it. It was just a simple hoodie without any complicated patterns on it.
Analyze and Draw Conclusions
What did you learn?
I learned how to stitch and realize that many things are still possible to be repaired as long as people are imaginative.
How long do you expect this repair to actually last now that it is complete? What surprises did you encounter?
The actual repair time is definitely longer than I thought, but I feel like I could really calm myself done when I actually focusing on stitching it.
What would you do differently next time?
Probably give me more time to stitch it more carefully. Because it is the first time I did this, some part does not look very well.
Are there other ways you could have repaired this item, that you realize now? After completing this project, do you consider repair a more valuable skill?
I think other ways for repairing this hoodie might be used the clothes of hoodie to make another bag or something functionally different. Also, I think repair is a valuable skill, but it depends on whether the object is worth to be repaired or not.
Reflection
What is the most important aspect of making a design easily repairable? After completing this project, what’s one object that you wish you could repair but don’t feel as though you currently have the skills to do so? Did your repair require fewer materials and involve fewer systems than buying a new replacement? Which systems?
The repaired stuff is still functional, and people should try to make it beautiful as well. I think my old phone’s screen would be the one I wish I could repair but don’t feel that I have the skills to do it. For my repairing process, I do not need to dye the hoodie which is an important system for producing a new cloth. Dying system is not really good for environment, because its chemical dye and it needs lots of water.
Video making process👉 1
Kombucha Leather
