Flaneur: A Jewelry Collection Reflecting Urban Life through Data Visualization

An Innovative Record of Life and Travels

The revolution of big data is reshaping many aspects of daily lives at a global level. Flaneur jewelry collection, designed by Qiuyu Yang, offers enthusiasts of life an opportunity to see their everyday urban life reflected directly through data visualization. This innovative collection allows mobile urbanites to build a unique record of their life and travels, making treasure from their experiential millennial lifestyle.

The Flaneur jewelry collection is a project that explores how we live our daily lives and what this offers in terms of personal data. It aims to challenge the traditional notion of jewelry by incorporating data visualization into its design. Using London as the pilot city, this collection can be rolled out across global cities, allowing individuals to wear a piece that represents their own unique experiences.

Each piece in the collection is designed to present 2D data visualizations, manufactured through a 3D print technique. This ensures that every individual has the opportunity to wear a truly unique piece of jewelry. The collection features precious metals and opals, with the colorful reflection in the opals representing the vibrant day and night life of London.

Flaneur jewelry collection not only offers a visually stunning design, but also serves as a route of everyone's everyday life recorded in a wearable piece. It gives voice to the concept of big data, allowing individuals to showcase their personal experiences through their jewelry.

The project started in October 2015 in London and was completed in June 2017. It was published in Wallpaper Magazine in January 2018, gaining recognition for its innovative approach to jewelry design.

Throughout the design process, Qiuyu Yang faced several challenges. Combining big data and daily life events as an inspiration was a new concept in the mass market. Additionally, the concept of narrative jewelry embedded with personal life track meaning was not widely accepted by the public. The operation mode of the collection also required improvement to enhance customer experience. Furthermore, the availability of castable resin, a material used in the 3D printing process, posed production difficulties due to its limited availability.

The Flaneur jewelry collection has received accolades for its creativity and ingenuity. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Jewelry, Eyewear, and Watch Design category in 2020. This prestigious award recognizes designs that incorporate best practices in art, science, design, and technology, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.

Flaneur jewelry collection is not just a piece of jewelry; it is a reflection of urban life, a celebration of personal experiences, and a testament to the power of data visualization. It offers a unique way for individuals to express themselves and create a tangible record of their life and travels.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: QIUYU YANG
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Yingwei Tang, Flaneur Jewellery Collection, 2017
Project Team Members: QIUYU YANG
Project Name: Flaneur
Project Client: QIUYU YANG


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