Design for Deities
Reinventing a last-surviving heritage business for the future

Project currently in development, after being selected as the grand winner of the Design for Deities international design competition.

Say Tian Hng Buddha Shop is a family-run shop specialising in handcrafted Taoist effigies, with its origins dating as far back to 1896. Steeped in rich history, all of the effigies are made in-house by the owners themselves for over 100 years.

The current 4th-generation owners were keen to revitalise their business for the future, and sought to find ways to reverse the decline of the 124-year-old shop.

^{Six steps to make an effigy}

^{Accessories as representations of values}

“All the items that the effigy is holding describe the status and characteristics that the deity is associated with.”

^{Design opportunity}

Can a deity be appreciated by all beyond its religious connotations for its universal values and stories?

^{The deity experience kit}

^{Highly customisable values}

^{Inscribing new function into traditional craft}

^{New ritual of experiencing craft}

^{Future expansion of craft}

^{Preserving craft through storytelling}

_{We are currently partnering with the shop to bring this into reality. More updates to be revealed soon!}

_{Year
2021

Team
Sim Hao Jie}