[EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN]

Yesterday’s Record Project

Display Design | Product Design | Photography | Graphic Design

Hwang,Won.YR Project Posters.OCT 2023

JUNE 2023 - PRESENT

[1ST POP UP- OCT 17. 2023]
N MAIN ST, PROVIDENCE, RI, USA

[2ND POP UP- TBD]
SEONGSU-DONG 2(I)-GA, SEOUL , SOUTH KOREA

Collaborative project:
Joy Ham RISD Industrial Design 24’

[PROJECT OBJECTIVE]
The YR project's essence lies in breathing new life into discarded technology, crafting alien-like keychains. The journey began in antique tech stores, once bustling in the early 2000s tech boom. Amidst the relics of that era, the disconnection between generations became evident. Yet, this disconnection fueled a unique attraction for younger generations towards the old technology.

The keychains, representing living entities, grow from the remnants of abandoned cables, echoing the resilience of the past. This design not only provides a nostalgic accessory but also establishes a tangible link to the bygone era. Much like Sweet Gum seeds spreading by attaching to other organisms, these keychains interact with bags and accessories, capturing the essence of generational shifts and bridging the gap between the past and present.

[CURRENT PROCESS FOR 2ND POP UP]

The first pop-up at the 2023 RISD Entrepreneurship student market was a resounding success, allowing our team to effectively engage with the audience and share the fictional narrative of the electrical wires. Building on this success, we have decided to launch a second pop-up in Korea. This new venture aims to not only continue the storytelling but also deepen the connection with a broader audience by exploring the rich cultural and historical context of the electrical infrastructure.

Hwang,Won.YR Project Seongsu-dong PopUp July,2024

Joy Ham,YR Project Seongsu-dong PopUp, Population Flow. July,2024

[CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF YR PROJECT]

BIRTH - Early Electric Infrastructure and First Contact (1910s ~ 1950s)

During the Japanese colonial period, Seongsu-dong saw the first installation of electric wires. These human-made structures became an ideal habitat for tiny extraterrestrial life forms from the cosmos. These beings thrived by consuming the electrical energy flowing through the wires, eventually nesting within them. They moved freely within the wires, gradually spreading across Seongsu-dong, all while remaining undetected by the human eye.

GROWTH - Rapid Urbanization and Proliferation of Life (1960s ~ 1980s)

The 1960s marked a period of rapid economic development in South Korea, leading to an extensive expansion of electric infrastructure. Seongsu-dong was no exception. As more wires were laid throughout the city, the extraterrestrial life forms flourished, expanding their presence within the complex network of cables. While Seongsu-dong underwent dramatic changes, these beings quietly extended their domain, evolving and thriving by feeding on the many stories and dreams carried through the wires.

TRANSITION - Underground Cabling and Adaptation (1990s ~ Present)

In the 1990s, efforts to improve urban aesthetics led to the underground cabling project, threatening the habitat of these extraterrestrial life forms. However, they quickly adapted, continuing to thrive by navigating the underground wires and discreetly spreading deeper beneath Seongsu-dong. The neighborhood, while retaining its old exterior, became a hub of the latest trends, and similarly, the life forms evolved to survive in the new environment, continuing to absorb the stories, dreams, unspoken words, regrets, and emotions that flowed through the wires.

PRESENT DAY - The Evolution of Seongsu-dong and the Life Forms

Today, Seongsu-dong is a space where old buildings coexist with the latest trends. Beneath the surface, these life forms continue to inhabit the forest of wires. Over time, they have learned to coexist with human society, evolving alongside the electric wires. As one walks through the alleys of Seongsu-dong, the wires between the old utility poles may seem almost alive—a reflection not just of imagination, but perhaps of the presence of these life forms. They have established their domain in the wire forest, quietly observing the world's changes and growing stronger and wiser by consuming the stories, dreams, unspoken words, and regrets of humanity.

Joy Ham + Won Hwang ,YR Project Seongsu-dong PopUp, Moodboard. July,2024

[ 1ST POP UP]

[PRODUCT DESIGN PROCESS]

Won Hwang , Illustration of the ‘seed to fruit’

[INSPIRATION]

Our team found inspiration in a small city on the outskirts of Seoul, known for specializing in the sale of old electrical wires. This village, once bustling with activity, has been largely abandoned as new technologies took over. Chargers, adapters, and wires—once essential—now lie discarded, clumped together and forgotten in the shadows of time. Much like how we hide tangled wires behind tables, this city has been pushed to the periphery, out of sight and out of mind. This contrast between the forgotten and the new sparked our desire to bring these overlooked relics back into the narrative, giving them new life and purpose in our designs.

Joy Ham + Won Hwang , Prototype of Bag and phone charm,2023

Joy Ham + Won Hwang , Production Process

Joy Ham + Won Hwang , Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea, JULY 2023

Joy Ham + Won Hwang , ‘Tree’ for Display Design

[THE TREE]

To enhance the experience at our pop-up, we envisioned a tree that symbolically incubates our product, referred to as "the seed." This fictional tree serves as a central feature, allowing customers to engage with the narrative by plucking the products directly from its branches. The tree not only represents growth and transformation but also invites visitors to become part of the story, creating a memorable and interactive experience.

Joy Ham + Won Hwang , Final ‘Tree’ for Display Design

[FINAL PHOTOS]

Joy Ham + Won Hwang , 2023 RISD Entrepreneurship student market , 0ct 2023