“An introduction to formgiving in Chinese product design” is aresearch article, written by Vigleik Norheim from the Department ofProduct Design from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.It gives some interesting insights on the cultural influences thatimpact the form-giving methodology in Chinese Industrial Design. ABSTRACTThe article is a holistic and cultural introduction to formgiving inChinese product design, both theoretical and practical. Observationswere made during a 4-week stay in China in a university and two designoffices. Introducing and comparing various Western approaches to formin product design with the Chinese approach proved to a certain degreeunfair, as their tradition in the field is yet very young. The aim ofthis text is thus to explain why form in Chinese product design iswhere it is today in a cultural and social context. The articleconcludes that Chinese designers need more freedom and authority, muchlike the early Western designers at the dawn of our own industrialrevolution.Interesting elements such as their Confucius influenced culture,their very thematic approach to design, and their difficulty instepping out side the collective are explored. Furthermore it alsoprovides an insight on why there a proliferation of emulating or I daresay “copying” what other more established products and designs havedone. Overall, I do feel the research is a little skewed as the ChineseDesigners that I have met really don’t fit the article’s description.Perhaps the sample size is too small, and the researcher did not reallyget in touch with the top Universities in China such as Tsinghua,to really see how the top schools are doing it. Regardless a lot ofobservations on culture, and the emphasis and delivery of educationcontent are accurate. This is perhaps a reflection of how the smallerdesign schools are actually doing it. At the end of the day, this reminds me of a discussion that I hadwith my old mentor: In today’s global economy brought closer by airtravel and the Internet, cultures easily transcend borders. So, doesthis mean our traditional western based design education, a reflectionof western culture, may not be appropriate or the best way in teachingcreativity and design to other cultures {Asian etc.} that are not asopen or liberal?
www.designsojourn.com/what-are-the-differences-between-chinese-and-western-form-giving/