Tang Weichen (Rachel) obtained her bachelor degree in visual communication from Jiang Nan University China. After her graduation, she worked as a designer in the Advertisement and Design Department in the China Central Academy of Arts and Crafts between 1994-1998. Between 1998 and 2005, she worked as design director in design studio 2 and was manager of the design department in the same organization. She started her exploration on Chinese traditional craft art and modern design and began to take courses in design and culture in Hong Kong. She obtained her master degree from the School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and worked as department leader on ‘Corporate Strategy and Planning' in Tsinghua Gongmei Architecture Company. In 2005 she continued her research on Chinese traditional design culture and taught as a visiting lecturer in the School of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University teaching the course on corporate identity and culture. She joined the School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a PhD Student in 2006. Her research focuses on Chinese Qiju (tools) history, from the Neolithic period to the Han dynasty.

RESEARCH TITLE
Design Knowledge in Chinese Traditional Everyday Tools

NAME OF PhD ADVISOR
Prof. John Heskett

SHORT INTRODUCTION / DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH PROJECT
Presently there is a massive shift in the material culture of everyday Chinese life; one part of this is the abandonment of traditional, everyday handmade tools in favour of industrial products. The uptake of industrial tools represents not only a shift in the material circumstances of everyday life, but also signals shifting values in respect to the nature of tools, their handling qualities and characteristics of use.

The purpose of this doctoral research is to establish a 'map' regarding the meaning, significance and utility of everyday common objects, with information about patterns of fabrication, specific uses and human interaction. Among the issues to consider are: ways in which specific material considerations enable gestures and rhythms, emotions and states of mind. The project seeks to capture an area of design knowledge that is rapidly disappearing and which holds unique evidence of Chinese experience with design. By focusing on underlying issues and patterns, these materials can reveal fundamental issues that can be made accessible to contemporary designers seeking to generate new design based on Chinese cultural examples.