jewellery design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •plastic is not a...

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Peter Chang Jewellery Design POWERHOUSE BANGLE Bracelet made of acrylic, old beads, map pinheads and part of a broken shop-sign with a polystyrene core.

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Page 1: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Peter ChangJewellery Design

POWERHOUSE BANGLEBracelet made of acrylic, old beads, map pinheads and part of a broken shop-sign

with a polystyrene core.

Page 2: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Peter Chang 1944 - 2017• Peter Chang was born in Liverpool, to British and Chinese

parents. He worked from his studio in Glasgow.

• Chang is known for his colourful, large-scale, sculptural jewellery. He worked predominantly in recycled plastics, with each piece taking hundreds of hours to make.

• Chang drew inspiration from a multitude of sources. Much of his work is inspired by nature and the mathematical patterns and forms that can be found there, such as honeycomb.

• The influence of Chang’s Chinese heritage is also evident, through his frequent use of red and yellow and his incorporation of pieces of signage from Liverpool’s Chinatown.

• http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/exhibitions/peterchang/life_in_plastic.aspx

• https://collection.maas.museum/object/319862

Page 3: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Function• The primary function of Chang’s Powerhouse Bracelet is to be worn

on the wrist as a decorative item. There are no openings or fasteningsso the piece would simply be slid over the hand, making it easy to take off and put on.

• The large scale and abundance of intricate decorative features protruding from the Powerhouse Bracelet means that the piece could also serve as an ornamental piece of sculpture.

• The Powerhouse Bracelet was commissioned by the Museum of Applied Arts and Science in Sydney to be displayed amongst their collection of plastics to showcase the different uses of plastic over time. Chang used a variety of plastics and unconventional techniques to create the striking aesthetic of the Powerhouse Bracelet, making it a perfect illustration of the evolution of plastic as a material.

N5 & HIGHER

Page 4: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Fitness for Purpose• The Powerhouse Bracelet has a number of pointed protruding parts. This

would make it difficult to wear as the small delicate pieces would catch on clothing and snap easily.

• Chang’s design is extravagantly over-sized. As a result, it would get in the way and restrict the wearer’s movement, rendering it impractical to wear on a regular basis.

• The Powerhouse Bracelet has a polystyrene core, making the piece very light, and the inner surface is smooth and polished. This demonstrates that Chang gave some consideration to comfort when designing this piece, as although large, it would sit comfortably on the wrist.

N5 & HIGHER

Page 5: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

StyleChang was a contemporary designer, fitting into no distinct style movement.

• The wide array of bright colours combined with the assortment of strangely shaped objects protruding from the Powerhouse Bracelet are reminiscent of a child’s toy, creating a playful, childlike style.

• The outside of the Powerhouse Bracelet is a sea-blue colour and the wavy and spherical protruding shapes look like tentacles. This creates a quirky aquatic style.

• The Powerhouse Bracelet is over-sized and highly decorated with a multitude of 3D forms, patterns and colours, creating an eccentric and flamboyant style.

• The Powerhouse Bracelet is made from plastic, a modern material not traditionally used in jewellery design. The choice of material combined with the unusual shape of the piece create a futuristic style.

N5 & HIGHER

Page 6: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Materials• Chang used polystyrene to form the core of the Powerhouse Bracelet to ensure the piece

remained light despite its large size, increasing the wearability of the bracelet.

• Chang most often works in plastic, with the Powerhouse Bracelet being formed from a variety of resins, acrylics and recycled/reclaimed plastics. Chang used plastic due to its cheap throwaway quality, allowing him to experiment with forms and techniques. Chang’s experimental approach can be seen in the complex forms of the Powerhouse Bracelet.

• Chang is well-known for his bright colour combinations. Unlike traditional jewellery making materials, such as gemstones and precious metals, plastic can be manufactured in a limitless array of colours. Chang combined a wide variety of coloured plastics for the Powerhouse Bracelet to create a piece with a dramatic visual impact.

• Chang frequently incorporates recycled plastic in his designs. The protruding objects on the Powerhouse Bracelet are all made from recycled plastics, such as discarded plastic from a sign maker and plastic beads from a cheap necklace. Using recycled plastic reduces the environmentalimpact of the design.

• The Powerhouse Bracelet was commissioned by the Museum of Applied Arts and Science in Sydney to be displayed amongst their collection of plastics to showcase the different uses of plastic over time. Chang used a variety of plastics and unconventional techniques to create the striking aesthetic of the Powerhouse Bracelet, making it a perfect illustration of the evolution of plastic as a material.

N5 & HIGHER

Page 7: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Techniques• Mosaic: Mosaics are traditionally made my creating images using small pieces of tile or

stone. Chang cut small pieces of plastic into geometric shapes. He inlaid them into the outer surface of the bracelet to create striking patterns.

• Thermoforming: Chang used an oven in his studio to heat plastic to a pliable temperature. Chang could then bend and mould the plastic, allowing him to create the organic formsseen on the Powerhouse Bracelet.

• Layering Resins: Chang poured liquid resin over the polystyrene base, which then hardened to form the solid base of the Powerhouse Bracelet. Using this technique allowed Chang to create the different layers of colour that make up the pattern of pinks and purples seen on the inner surface of the bracelet.

• Lathe-turning & Hand Carving: These techniques are traditionally associated with woodworking. Turning the plastic on a lathe allowed Chang to create the smooth forms of the tentacles. Chang then used a variety of hand tools to carve into the plastic, allowing him to add the intricate details that make the Powerhouse Bracelet highly decorative.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCI9stxCbeg

N5 & HIGHER

Page 8: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Target Market/Audience• Chang’s Powerhouse Bracelet is handmade using a variety of time-consuming techniques. The piece

took over 246 hours to make, meaning the piece would be expensive to produce and buy. Therefore, the target market would be wealthy.

• Peter Chang’s designs are highly individual and instantly recognisable. The oversized nature and many unusual forms attached to the Powerhouse Bracelet make it very eye-catching. Therefore, the bracelet would most likely be worn as a statement piece by someone with an interest in unique designer jewellery and fashion.

• Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target market for the Powerhouse Bracelet is likely to be younger people with an interest in contemporary design.

• The inner surface and decorative forms on the Powerhouse Bracelet are predominantly pinks and purples. These colours are generally considered to be feminine, suggesting the target market would be women.

• Chang’s combination of bright colours, patterns and unusual shapes make the Powerhouse Bracelet very bold and dramatic. This striking aesthetic is likely to appeal to someone with an outgoing or artistic personality, who enjoys being different and getting noticed.

N5 & HIGHER

Page 9: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Visual ImpactHow has the designer has used the visual elements to create visual impact?

• Chang has used a mosaic technique to create geometric patterns on the outer surface, increasing the visual impact by creating a highly decorative effect.

• For the exterior surface of the Powerhouse Bracelet, Chang has used only shades of turquoise. The use of one colour for the base allows the bright yellows, purples, greens and reds of the protruding forms to stand out, creating a bold visual impact.

• The unusual twisting forms attached to the bracelet look alien-like, creating a dramatic visual impact.

• The glitter on the inner surface of the bangle glimmers against the dark pink and purple surface, increasing the visual impact by creating a mysterious, other-worldly effect.

N5

Page 10: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

AestheticsWhat effect has the designer’s use of the visual elements and materials had on the aesthetics (look) of the piece?

• The combination of brightly coloured plastic and sharp silver wire used for the tentacle-like forms make them look unnatural and alien-like, creating a futuristic aesthetic.

• Chang’s combined use of glitter, bright colours and rounded shapes make the Powerhouse Bracelet look like a toy, creating a childlike aesthetic.

• Each one of the forms attached to the Powerhouse Bracelet is unique. This, combined with the use of multiple patterns, creates a cluttered and chaotic aesthetic.

• The Powerhouse Bracelet is made from a variety of plastics, some of which are recycled. Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery design and is inexpensive. Chang’s unconventional use of materials creates a modern aesthetic.

HIGHER

Page 11: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Visual ElementsHIGHER

You may be asked to write about one visual element of your choosing. The

following are suggestions, select two or three visual elements and develop

four points for each.

Colour

• For the exterior surface of the Powerhouse Bracelet, Chang has used only shades of turquoise. The use of one colour for the base allows the bright yellows, purples, greens and reds of the protruding forms to stand out, creating a bold visual impact.

Form

• The smooth circular form of the bracelet base contrasts with the complex organic forms of the protruding tentacles, creating a daring and eye-catching aesthetic.

Pattern

• Chang has incorporated various bold patterns, such as striped tentacles and a geometric mosaic on the base of the bracelet. The combination of patterns creates a busy and exciting aesthetic.

Page 12: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

Working MethodsHIGHER

• Chang spent huge amounts of time drawing and thinking about his designs, both before and during the making process. This enormous attention to detail in Chang’s working method can be seen in the Powerhouse Bracelet as each of the multiple forms attached to the bracelet are completely unique and made up of a variety of even smaller elements.

• Peter Chang used techniques such as carving and lathe-turning the plastic to shape it and add detail. He carried out all of this work painstakingly by hand, taking over 245 hours to construct the Powerhouse Bracelet. These time-consuming working methods add value to the cheap material, making Chang’s designs very expensive to make and buy.

• Chang’s working methods were highly experimental. In making the Powerhouse Bracelet, Chang experimented with a huge variety of techniques to form the plastic, such as thermoforming, lacquering and inlaying mosaics. The effects of this experimental approach can be seen in the huge variety of forms and patterns on the bracelet.

Page 13: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

■ Chang was inspired by natural forms, particularly sea creatures. This influence can be seen in the objects protruding from the Powerhouse Bracelet, as the twisting forms represent an octopus’ tentacles.

■ Chang was influenced by his Chinese heritage. Traditional Chinese design tends to be highly decorative and makes use of intricate patterns. This influence can be seen in the Powerhouse Bracelet through Chang’s use of various patterns, such as stripes and mosaics.

■ Peter Chang was influenced by science fiction. This influence can be seen in the strange shapes that appear to be growing on the bracelet, making it alien-like, like a creature from science fiction.

N5 & HIGHER

Social & Cultural Influences

Page 14: Jewellery Design · 2019. 11. 22. · designer jewellery and fashion. •Plastic is not a traditional material for jewellery, giving the piece a modern aesthetic. Therefore, the target

■ Chang spent time working for the surrealist artist Stanley William Hayter, whose work is characterised by bold colours and organic shapes. This influence can be seen in the Powerhouse Bracelet through Chang’s use of bold purples and turquoise and the smooth curving form of the bracelet.

N5 & HIGHER

Social & Cultural Influences

■ Chang was a self-taught jewellery designer who studied sculpture at Liverpool College of Art. The influence of Chang’s educational background can be seen in his experimental approach to materials and the large, sculptural forms of designs such as the Powerhouse Bracelet.

■ Chang frequented Chinatown in his home town of Liverpool. He was influenced by the imagery he saw on signs there and often used off-cuts from signs made for Liverpool’s Chinatown in his designs. This can be seen in the Powerhouse Bracelet, as the red plastic used is from the discarded centre of a letter ‘O’.