Blendix Design creates contemporary product designs inspired by ancient Chinese handicrafts. Blendix Design is founded by Lulu Fan and Karin van Paassen.
“The World of Bamboo” project is a collaboration between Shanghai University, Moganshan government and Blendix Design. Many Chinese traditional handicrafts are facing disappearing due to low interest from young generation and old-fashioned image of handicrafts. Blendix Design creates opportunities that Chinese handicraft masters can collaborate with experienced Western designers in order to find n
ew identity of Chinese traditional handicrafts, to develop contemporary products that are inspired by these crafts.
“The World of Bamboo” is the first project within the collaboration between Shanghai University and Blendix Design. Dutch designers Lotte van Laatum, Chris Kabel, Yvonne Laurijsen and Erik Mantel are chosen to join this project. From 16th to 28th May 2016 these designers will be experimenting and designing with bamboo handicrafts masters in Moganshan and Deqing, who are skilled in weaving baskets, making fans, furnitures, cans etc. Concepts and products that are developed during the project will be displayed in Chinese and international design fairs. After this project, designs will be refined and produced for high-end markets. In order to prevent Chinese traditional handicrafts from disappearing, it’s important to attract and attach young generation to them. That’s why there is also a bamboo crafts design workshop for Chinese and international students at the same time. 20 Industrial Design Engineering students from The Hague University of Applied Science will have 2 weeks workshop in China, led by teachers Coen Dekkers, Hans Glerum and Senko Kabbes from The Hague University. The World of Bamboo project is supported by Creative Industries Fund NL and Dutch Consulate-General in Shanghai.
