Ti Chang: Revolutionizing Industrial Design with Emotion and Innovation

Industrial design has long been governed by the maxim “form follows function.” However, Ti Chang, a trailblazing designer, has introduced a transformative concept to this equation: “Form follows function and emotion.” This innovative approach has redefined product design and created new market categories, such as pleasure jewellery. Chang’s journey from traditional consumer products to pioneering intimate devices showcases the profound impact of integrating emotional resonance into industrial design.

Early Career: Foundations in Consumer Product Design

The Goodie Products Experience

Ti Chang began her illustrious career in 2002 with Goodie Products, a company known for its hairbrushes. As their first industrial designer, Chang spearheaded the development of the Ouchless Hairbrush Collection, a product line that combined innovative design with consumer comfort. This experience laid the groundwork for her design philosophy, emphasizing user-centric solutions.

Transition to Trek Bicycle

Chang’s next significant role was at Trek Bicycle, where she broke new ground as the first female designer on a predominantly male team. This position honed her skills in creating high-performance products while navigating a male-dominated industry.

Evolution of Design Philosophy: From Function to Emotion

Form Follows Function and Emotion

Over her 22-year career, Chang’s design philosophy has evolved. Initially focused on solving practical problems, she gradually recognized the importance of emotional connections in product design. This shift is epitomized by her creation of the Vesper vibrator necklace, which combines functionality with aesthetic beauty, fostering respectful conversations about intimacy.

Emotional Resonance in Design

Chang’s emphasis on emotional resonance challenges traditional design norms, especially within large data-driven corporations. Her approach advocates for intuition and emotional insight, filling a gap left by purely data-driven decisions. This perspective not only enhances user experience but also promotes meaningful product interactions.

Breaking Barriers: Innovating in the Pleasure Industry

Creating a New Market Category

2014 Ti Chang co-founded Crave, a company specializing in pleasure jewellery. Her flagship product, the Vesper vibrator necklace, was a groundbreaking innovation in the sex toy industry. By blending aesthetics with functionality, Chang introduced a product that could be worn publicly and discussed openly, reducing stigma and promoting healthy conversations about sexuality.

Engineering Marvels: From Vesper to Tease

Following Vesper’s success, Chang launched Tease, an even more compact and powerful vibrator designed to be worn as a ring. These products exemplify her ability to merge engineering excellence with emotional and aesthetic considerations, setting new standards in the industry.

Challenges and Triumphs: Navigating a Male-Dominated Field

Gender Imbalance in Industrial Design

With only 18% of industrial designers in the U.S. being female, Chang’s achievements are particularly noteworthy. She has faced and overcome significant barriers, from being the sole woman on design teams to navigating the manufacturing industry’s often uncomfortable environments.

Advocating for Women in Design

Chang is a vocal advocate for greater female representation in industrial design. She highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in creating products that truly serve all users. Her work emphasizes that inclusive design teams can identify and address blind spots that homogeneous groups might overlook.

The Future of Industrial Design: Embracing Creativity and Diversity

Homogeneity and Its Discontents

Chang critiques the current state of industrial design as overly homogenous, driven by the needs of large corporations rather than individual creativity. She argues that this trend stifles innovation and overlooks unique, user-driven solutions.

The Call for Creative Courage

Chang envisions a future where designers dare to pursue their visions, even in uncertain data. She believes that platforms like crowdfunding and advancements in manufacturing technologies will support these endeavours, leading to more diverse and creative product landscapes.

Conclusion: Ti Chang’s Legacy and Vision

Ti Chang’s journey from traditional consumer product design to pioneering pleasure jewellery is a testament to the power of integrating emotion into industrial design. Her work challenges conventional norms and opens new avenues for innovation and inclusivity. As the industry moves forward, Chang’s emphasis on emotional resonance, diversity, and creative courage will continue to inspire and influence the next generation of designers.

External Links

Official Website

Sources

Jarvis, C. (2023, June 5). Ti Chang wants the future to get weirder. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/91030007/ti-chang-wants-the-future-to-get-weirder

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