Zixiang Zhang
About
Zixiang Zhang is a multi-disciplinary designer with background in material design and biology. The practice in material design enables her to explore innovative materials, textures, and manufacturing techniques, while her understanding of biology brings a more diverse perspective.
Meanwhile, she has a passion for speculative design. She considers the material design in the future can be divided into two aspects. One is to define and forecast the future by observing and analyzing our current living environment, living state, and existing issues. At the same time, the combination of social, scientific, environmental, ecological, and economic aspects of the investigation can expand our views on the future and provide rich information for future materials, products, and urban design.
The other aspect of the future material is the definition of materials. By breaking the boundaries of art, design, science, technology, and other disciplines, material futures can break through the limitations of materials that we observe and feel, endow existing materials with potential value, and explore new materials that can be used in the future, to solve the problem of sustainable development.
Statement
Enabling collaboration between design and nature
As climate change, resource shortage, and garbage flooding have become the concerns of all circles of society, learning from nature allows me to see the new solution direction of "autonomy". Sustainable design is not only to solve pollution but also to create self-regulating products and manufacturing systems to reform the environment more comprehensively.
To be a research-based designer
Treat the design process as a science experiment. Data analysis is significant.
Any concept is unlimited
Do not hold yourself back by worrying that the method necessary to execute your ideas may not exist.
Keep the design simple
Trying to please everyone is a recipe for stress, misery, lost resources, and frustration. So don’t be afraid to lose people, be afraid to lose vision.
FLOATING
Background:
Due to the increasingly concerning impacts of climate change, one of the significant challenges we face is the rising sea levels that threaten coastal cities. Meanwhile, due to this imminent threat, the cities could be divided into multiple parts in the future. It is not only the land but also the water that connects the buildings. Therefore, people will have to commute between water and land every day.
Intention:
Based on mentioned trends, this project aims to create an adaptive material which could be made into garments to enable people to walk freely between water and land.
Design Process:
1. Floating material
Research the characteristics and adaptations of marine animals and aquatic plants that enable them to float or stay buoyant in water. Understand their structures, surface textures, and overall buoyancy mechanisms. Mimics the key features and properties of marine animals and aquatic plants to design a lightweight floating material.
2. Self-morphing material
Explore shape-shifting or responsive materials that change their properties when exposed to water. These materials can expand or change their structure, increasing buoyancy and assisting in flotation.
Lightweight Floatation Material
Medium: Knit fabric
Self-morphing Material
