STEPHEN & LEO CHI - Chi and Chi Studio, Taiwan

Chi and Chi is a Taiwanese design studio that was founded by brothers Stephen Chiu Chi Hung and Leo Chiu Chi Tat in 2013. Formerly full-time designers for other studios, the two Hong Kongese brothers decided to set up their own studio, driven by a desire to develop a better understanding of products’ lives and to work more closely with manufacturers. “The meaning behind an object should come first – its story, its interesting facts and its uniqueness,” says Stephen.

The duo pays close attention to the relationship between people and objects. Taking inspiration from everyday – often forgotten or ‘normalised’ – objects, Chi and Chi aim to create and redesign objects with content and purpose; with simple functions in their essential forms; that look nice, work well and make someone’s day happier.

The Polygon watch – the studio’s signature piece – is a modern 24-sided analogue timepiece. Each side of its unusual faceted case corresponds to an hour of the day. The watch is designed with geometric features and made with precision engineering and careful hand polishing. Unlike the usual round and smoothened contours of regular watches, Chi and Chi’s Polygon watch preserves the ‘edges’, thereby presenting the time in a distinctively different yet aesthetic way.

For Chi and Chi, working closely with its manufacturers is an integral part of the creative process, and the studio had initially struggled to find a watchmaker able to produce the Polygon’s geometric silhouette. “At the beginning, several manufacturers turned us down because it was too difficult to make,” explains Stephen. “We almost needed to redesign the whole watch.” Instead, the studio has now successfully launched its second edition of the Polygon series.

“The reason we set up the studio is to have a better understanding on product life, not merely to design an object. We can work closely with manufacturers, create something cool with clients and have more interaction with the customers.”
 

Meanwhile, Chi and Chi is partnering with brands and creatives on designing new products set to launch in early 2017, including tableware and home accessories. Make sure to scroll down the page to view a personal selection of the brothers' favourite works of art, artists and products as well as the things that inspire them.
 

@chiandchico 

chiandchi.com

---

The composition of images below is a personal selection of Stephen and Leo Chi's Favourite Works of Art, Favourite Products and the things that inspire them.

---

by Clay Mahn

Arne Jacobsen, Tongue Chair

Harry Bertoia, Silver Teapot, 1940

On Kawara, Date Painting(s)

Lucie Rie, Conical Porcelain Bowl

Floris Hovers, CARtools

Sabine Finkenauer, Sculpture-sample, 2010

Designed by Dieter Rams 

Paul Winstanley, Art School 16, 2013

Harry Gitlin,Table Lamp, Model T9, 1951

Marcel Breuer, Cesca Side Chair (model B32), 1928

Josef Alvers, Never Before a, 1976

Bruno Mathsso, MI 1050 Wall Unit

Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, Cripsis, 2013

Tadao Ando - Architect

Designed by Naoto Fukasawa 

Sori Yanagi, Spoon

Izziyana Suhaimi, Reaching for equilibirum

Molded Pentray by collaboration brand "PH" (HIGHTIDE and PAPIER LABO)

Kaj-Franck, Kilta

Walter De Maria, Tryth / Beauty Series

STELTON x SOMETHING DESIGN – Collar Coffee Set

‘Collar’ is a new brewing collection designed by Italian studio Something Design for Danish brand Stelton. 

Apparently, the objective was clear: to inject enjoyment into the ritual of coffee brewing. Although practical and functional in its purest sense, the collection – which consists of a coffee grinder, jar, milk jug and sugar bowl – does by no means lack design thinking and aesthetic consciousness. 

Inspired by both Scandinavian design and ‘cultural observations’, Collar will sit perfectly in any coffee and design lover’s home. Available from September.

AANDERSSON – Olov Bowl

Philadelphia based design concept AANDERSSON specialises in experimental approaches to ceramic design. Founded by Ian Anderson, the studio’s collections are generally defined by an intriguing interplay between the juxtaposition of both familiar and fundamental design elements and highly considered functional forms.

AANDERSSON’s Olov bowl is part of the deconstructions collection, which explores the impact of radical alteration on the ultimate functionality of traditional utilitarian forms. All pieces in the collection remain functional. Material: premium quality porcelain.