Classic: A Fusion of Tradition and Modernity

Designers Wei Jingye and Wang Ziyu's Innovative Take on Chinese Furniture

Classic, a writing desk designed by Wei Jingye and Wang Ziyu, is a unique blend of traditional Chinese aesthetics and modern minimalistic design. This award-winning piece showcases the designers' innovative approach to furniture design, seamlessly merging form and function.

The inspiration for Classic came from traditional Chinese furniture, specifically the QiaoAn image. This image, used in ancient times to prevent paintings from falling, was incorporated into the design to enhance user experience. The desk not only facilitates the placement of items but also prevents them from falling, combining practicality with aesthetics.

Classic is a bold attempt to apply Chinese style to minimalism. The designers combined the traditional Han dynasty writing desk with Modern Metal Style, using red oak and iron art. The result is a piece of furniture that embodies the classical charm of China without losing the modern sense of simplicity and succinctness. The traditional curved design adds a touch of dexterity, meeting the needs for stability and charm in furniture design.

The manufacturing process of Classic utilized modern CNC technology and solidworks software design. However, certain special forms were still made by traditional hand, embodying the spirit of ingenuity and the importance of traditional craftsmanship. This approach emphasizes that, despite technological advancements, some delicate structures cannot be replaced by machines.

The design project began in January 2019 in Shenyang and was completed in June 2019. It was exhibited in the art museum of Shenyang Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in the same month. The project was a testament to the designers' commitment to research and innovation, with the aim of perfectly embodying Chinese style elements in the furniture.

Classic faced several design challenges, the biggest being the combination of new Chinese elements with metal elements and minimalistic design. The designers also had to tackle the connection problem between the metal and the tabletop and legs. Despite these challenges, they successfully created a piece that reflects functional comfort and rationality of material use.

Classic won the Silver A' Furniture Design Award in 2020, a testament to its remarkable design and innovation. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Classic, with its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, certainly fits the bill.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Wei Jingye
Image Credits: Wei Jingye
Project Team Members: Wei Jingye Wang Ziyu Cheng Hong Zhang Yuxiao Zhang Wenyang
Project Name: Classic
Project Client: Wei Jingye


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