👋️ Hello, I’m Edmund Zhang, an interdisciplinary designer based in Singapore. Through my work, I explore playful imaginations of what tomorrow can be.


A replica of a mother’s childhood chair for her to spend quality time with her daughter.


The project was focused on mental wellness and how repairing a broken object could create an emotional change. 

I was tasked to restore a small blue plastic chair, originally used by a mother, which was repaired to be enjoyed by her daughter. Together with 25 Degree Woodworks, I also created a replica of the original chair in wood in a size designed for adults, to let the mother use it together with her daughter.

Oyako Chair, 2024



A lion dance programme that activates seniors for active ageing.


Silver Pride Lion Troupe is a culturally-fused active ageing program dedicated to promoting seniors’ physical, mental and social well-being through modified lion dance activities.

Through “hacking” conventional lion dance equipment with inclusive design features, we made it possible for ambulant and wheelchair-bound seniors to stay active while being connected and culturally enriched.

Silver Pride Lion Troupe, 2024  |  Website



A metal palette that harnesses rust as a natural source of color.


Palette Patina imagines a world where beauty is found in the unexpected, particularly in what is typically considered undesirable, such as rust and patina.

By applying a chemical solution to copper and mild steel, the natural patina-forming process—normally taking months or even years—is accelerated. This process uncovers the various stages of patina development, highlighting the evolving interaction between these metals and their environment, and revealing surprising colors and textures that emerge over time.

Palette Patina, 2024



A contemporary interpretation of a mythological figure to appreciate its stories in fresh, new ways.


We reimagined how to share the stories of these mythologies by inviting audiences to engage in the art of effigy-crafting, enabling even non-Chinese audiences worldwide to connect with and appreciate the enduring values of these myths in fresh ways.

Design for Deities, 2022  |  Read more



A collection of objects and installations that repurposes material offcuts from local factories.

 
A research initiative which partnered with local manufacturing businesses to create new value from their material waste by design. Supported by DesignSingapore Council, under the Good Design Research programme.

We designed a series of lifestyle objects and installations that aimed to raise awareness on material waste in Singapore.

Offcut Factory, 2022  |  Read more



A series of interactive objects that capture the innate joy of squeezing.


Squeezing is such a familiar gesture rooted in everyday life. In addition, there seems to be an inextricable relationship between squeezing and a sense of joy.

Driven by a fascination around this gesture, I was interested in imagining objects that could live in this world—objects which could seemingly come to life through the act of squeezing.

Squeezy Peasy, 2018  |  Read more



A lamp that jiggles with every touch.


Following the Squeezy Peasy project, I was invited by Wallpaper* to design a new lighting object in collaboration with Slamp, an Italian lighting brand.

The Wobble Lamp is a touch-sensitive light that jiggles after it is switched on, creating a playful interaction between the object and the user.

Utilizing the company’s signature Lentiflex® flexible plastic strips, the soft structure is filled with warm light upon a gentle tap at the top of the lamp.

Wobble Lamp, 2018



A bubble-blowing seesaw that relies on coordination and collaboration.


How might we reimagine a familiar play experience for kids?

The idea was for children to collaborate in creating their own playscapes through a bubble-blowing seesaw, inviting others to join in the fun too. Each rock of the seesaw releases a stream of bubbles. With each successive rock, a landscape of bubbles is created over time.

Enchanted Seesaw,  2016



A communication device for the elderly that comes alive through intuitive interactions.


How might we kick-start communication for the elderly in Singapore who live apart from their loved ones?

inSight is a system of paired devices that act as a virtual two-way surface, connecting users through constant audio and video feed—achieved through the utilization of a simple interface metaphor of a fogged glass panel.

inSight,  2016  |  Read more


  
© 2024 Edmund Zhang. All rights reserved.