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Jess Park, The Versatility Of Design
- Teo Sandigliano
- Dec 20, 2023
- 3 min read
Design is not the solution to our problems, but it can provide us with one or more methods to try and find answers that improve our daily lives. One of the most exciting aspects of the project is precisely researching and imagining new perspectives, going beyond the possibilities already outlined.
Jess Park, like many other young designers, was fascinated by the holistic vision of this sector and wanted to further diversify her skills as a designer. Her interest lies in seeking connections with other fields through the study of needs and requirements, also questioning the traditional uses of products – always keeping sustainability in mind. Let’s take a closer look at her approach through some of the projects she has developed in recent years, one of which is also featured in the Materials Design Map.
Cloud DIY Lighting Kit, play, learn and create
The Cloud Lighting Kit, for example, is a modular, recyclable, do-it-yourself lighting kit that allows users to create a light according to their needs. It functions as a construction toy that helps users explore electrical circuits in a simple and safe way. The Cloud kit consists of 20 Yupo paper modules, each of which has conductive ink screen printed on the surface, connected to adhesive LED lights. This allows the user to see and touch the circuit without the risk of getting an electric shock. The modules can be assembled with different shapes through the use of simple clips. A simple product that combines learning with play and allows the user to customize the final result.
Pillo by Jess Park, the fall injury protection clothing
Another example of Jess Park’s approach is Pillo, a collection of fall injury protection clothing for the elderly. As observed by the designer, fall injuries pose a serious threat to the mobility and independence of the elderly: hip fractures, for example, are among the most common and are part of a percentage of the mortality rate of elderly patients. Unfortunately, however, they often refuse or are reluctant to use hip or assistive devices. Pillo was born exactly to respond to this problem: a collection of protective homewares for the elderly, that is easy to put on and take off, machine washable, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and affordable. In the event of a fall, the shock-absorbing foam in the internal hip pockets helps prevent fractures by softening the impact. The foam pads are made from waste materials from a manufacturing company. The attractive design of Pillo and its ease of use help the user to use the product.
The Great Lakes Pollution/ Chemicals of Mutual Concern, from pollutant to ink
As mentioned earlier, Jess also worked on new materials: The Great Lakes Pollution/ Chemicals of Mutual Concern is an awareness project that Jess did as a research assistant for Prof. Heather Davis at the Eugene Lang University. After studying the history of pollution in the Great Lakes and New York areas and how it has affected people and the environment, the team developed the idea of creating a pollution-based ink from dust and soot collected in NYC subway stations. After 3 months of of collecting materials, further research, and various experiments, Jess created the pollution-based ink. Using the ink, she then designed and hand-printed the index cards, with content written by Prof. Heather and Prof. Kirsty Robertson. They detail the history and background of the Great Lakes and its pollution. The project was exhibited at the Plastic Heart exhibition at the University of Toronto in September 2021 and at the Canadian Cultural Center in Paris in autumn 2022.
From the theme of playing as a learning tool to raising awareness about pollution, Jess Park’s projects are highly diverse but collectively represent her holistic approach to design. Last but not least, the designer founded the Le Motif Design, a studio where she experiments with biomaterials to creare home products.
