Designed in China: Wang I Chao

Wang I Chao reunites people with their imaginations. The New York based Taiwanese industrial designer and illustrator’s whimsical toys and art transports us back to the innocent world of childhood. I Chao’s character abstraction technique pulls us in with something that looks different but at the same time feels so very familiar.

‘Character abstraction is the way I refine and extract the essences of things and transfer them into design elements,’ says the designer. He feels there are many possibilities and imaginations hidden in character abstractions. I Chao’s ability to uncover these secrets and sublimate them into beautiful pieces of art helps divert us away from the cyclical thoughts that rule our mind. Every interaction with one of his toys offers a unique experience.

Inspiration comes from a variety of influences, including Japanese Zen culture, Hayao Miyazakiand French novella The Little Prince. All of this has had an enormous impact on his life.

I Chao feels that his toys provide ‘a space that allows people to think, breathe and imagine, instead of forcing viewers to accept everything from the designer’s intention.’ He feels that these character abstractions only leaves the essentials, and states that this lets the viewer focus on the essence without distraction.

Read more on our series of designed in China and designed for China.

For more on Wang I Chao and purchase his toys and artwork visit Bundshop.