Naai-Jung Shih's Eyelash Stand: A Symbolic Icon of Daily Life

Exploring the Metaphor of Makeup through Innovative Design

The eyelash stand, a unique creation by Naai-Jung Shih, is a reflection of the designer's attempt to symbolize the metaphor of makeup from the viewpoint of behavior, product, and geometry. The design's various levels of curvature are inspired by the implication of facial and body profiles.

What sets this design apart is its exploration of the metaphor of eyelashes. Shih views the act of applying eyelashes as a pursuit of personal expectation. The stand serves as a miniature stage for this performance, a place to set eyelashes temporarily before or after they are applied. It is a way to commemorate the small, often overlooked contributions to our daily experiences and personal adventures.

The stand is made using vacuum tubes to imply the charms released from eyes. The tubes create a contrast between soft curvature and electric parts, with the black color selected to match the color of eyelashes. The 3D shape of the stand is created through parametric adjustment of free-form surface. The final model, due to its complexity and delicate parts, was created using Selected Laser Sintering (SLS) Rapid-Prototyping (RP) technology.

The stand measures 15cm*15cm*18cm and is made of nylon material, coated with layers of pearl-powder-based paint on top of pink paint. The stand is designed to hold false eyelashes either before they are worn or after they are removed from the eyelids.

The project, which started in June 2014 in Taipei, Taiwan, involved extensive research into behavior, product, and geometry. The design process involved studying a large number of websites that teach people how to wear eyelashes and studying the form and pattern using Shapeshifter, an Autodesk supported parametric design platform.

The design faced several challenges, including representing the complexity of expressions and implications of the human eye and ensuring the surface pattern was consistent with the eyelash curve. Despite these challenges, the final design is a dynamic form that perfectly captures the pursuit of personality.

The Eyelash Stand by Naai-Jung Shih is not just a functional piece but a symbolic icon of daily life. It is a testament to the designer's innovative approach and his ability to transform everyday objects into works of art. The stand's recognition with the Silver A' Design Award in 2017 is a testament to its uniqueness and the designer's remarkable expertise and innovation.