Workshop on Craft & Technology at Suzhou Art & Design Institute 2016

Conductive ink is just like any other ink, except that it’s electrically conductive. This means that it is possible to print, roll, brush, spray, draw or paint electrical wires onto surfaces like furniture, clothes, walls, tableware etc. Almost anything you can think of. The properties of conductive ink opens up a wide range of possibilities for creating design objects, installations and performances based on traditional craft that get electrically and digitally boosted to offer a range of interactive properties.

Together with 15 students from the Suzhou Art Faculty, Diffus proposed to explore the properties of the ‘electronic inks’ and root them into the sophisticated craft traditions for which the region of Suzhou is famous.

Ink is Interaction…

Students interested in challenging their practices in fields like calligraphy, ceramic and tableware design, fashion design, traditional painting and textile design participated in the workshop. The workshop lasted 2 weeks and began with introductive exercises and inspiration. Students got acquainted with the concepts and themes of the workshop. After that, they worked in smaller groups depending on their interest and affinities.

The outcomes of the workshop was joyfully presented during a closing event that took form of an interactive dinner and formal communication settings involving the interactive objects created during the workshop.

Credit
Workshop Design, Concept and Leadership: Hanne-Louise Johannesen and Michel Guglielmi (Diffus Design)
Project Partner: Suzhou Art & Design Institute