We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Cheng-Jay Tsai about their original and creative Accessories and Electronics design work. Cheng-Jay Tsai is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original accessories and electronics works.
Cheng-Jay Tsai ("CT") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work MonoPunk Accessories and Electronics. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
CT : The main principle is to bring the punk movement into the modern family setting. Through the use of anti-fashion styling, a user can showcase their rebellious spirit.
CT : The original punks intended to shock and cause social reactions. It is also a bold statement of independence and alternative thinking. I believe that modern punk ideology can inspire all kinds of personal products.
CT : Since modern punk ideology is a concept with an honor award, I am surely working on the production plan, and complete the punk series to become the product lines of the future studio.
CT : This project started in 2016 and had the prototype and images series in 2017. MonoPunk series takes more than one year to fulfill the whole concept until the end.
CT : These two pieces were my original graduate works at Shih Cien University, Taipei in 2017. As a product designer, I was trying to bring the Punk movement as an inspiration for everyday products.
CT : I have a plan about improving the entire series including the additional everyday products. It would be really nice if I got a chance to collaborate with any company or design studio which is interested in this longterm project.
CT : Channeling the most recognizable elements of punk fashion, I have created modern punk accessories in both headphone and backpack vacuum. Punk is an attitude for life. When the punk ethos applied to everyday products, the conscious spirit will be awakened no matter in which products.
CT : I am thankful for my professor at design college who gave me constructive advice to complete this series. I also very admire Karl Lagerfeld, the German creative director, who always gives me fresh inspiration in his intellectual activities and works.
CT : "Punk" applied many unusual fashion objects by early avant-garde art movement to break down the standard barriers. However, they couldn’t realize the critical spirit among their daily life through house arrangements. My target customers are the people who recognize as contemporary punk and expect to showcase consciousness in everyday life.
CT : This headphone features rivets and has a steampunk feel to it. It offers a more private space than headphones alone and allows the wearer to display a robust personal identity while enjoying music. This backpack vacuum provides a different experience from everyday consumer electric appliances. Unlike regular vacuuming, which may be considered a chore, the punk backpack vacuum offers the user the chance to make a statement while doing housework. The design may be viewed as a criticism of, and reaction to, traditional appliance design.
CT : MonoPunk takes the word mónos as the point of modern punk ideology. They may show off their identity in the household setting, either alone or with others who respect their ways.
CT : The main parts of my product are first modeled in 3D, then 3D printed to create a prototype. The body of the vacuum is created by wood carving to benefit from a stronger structure. I tried different mixed textures and bonding techniques to recreate electronics with elements of punk.
CT : I fulfilled my responsibilities as a product designer to consider the details of each part carefully. My photos show different aspects of my product in different scenarios and use-cases to shape the real personality of modern punk.
CT : To amend the outer shape of the backpack and combine straps and belts on the outer part of the electronics, I have consulted a leather craftworker who shared specialized knowledge and skills in the workshop.
CT : Technology can play the role of precise prototyping in the design process.
CT : The Philosophy of Punk, 1995 gave me an inspiration of the creations. As the book said, “We have created our own music, our own lifestyle, our own community and culture... Punk has evolved past the 'shock tactics' of colored hair and dog collars to have a fairly cohesive philosophy.”
CT : The challenges I faced in several aspects, like cultural innovation and recreation but also resulted in a working and useful prototype. The primary purpose is to showcase the identity of modern punk while keeping practicality and the user's need in mind.
CT : A'Design Award is an international and well-known competition media that can showcase the unique works in a specialized catalog. It also remains an important milestone for projects.
CT : I have worked on several prototypes to make the parts more fit to the human scale could increase comfort and ease of use. The primary purpose is to showcase the identity of modern punk while keeping practicality and the user's need in mind.
CT : The last thing I would like to share is that punk is an attitude for life. When the punk ethos is applied to everyday products, the conscious spirit will be awakened.
