平 - Vasilla Umbrella Stand

In China, most people put their wet umbrella at the balcony where is 5-10 meters away from the entry, so that provide some drips on the floor. As these reason, an umbrella stand should be placed at the walkway behind the main door. However, most existing product doesn’t match the decoration or other furniture in vestibule to Chinese. Therefore, for Chinese market, an umbrella should have some Chinese elements.

In my design of umbrella stand, I used the shape of Chinese ancient vase which was blue and white porcelain, and used the lucky pattern which is four season flower, and it also has a god meaning because vase and safe is same pronounce as ping in Chinese. Hence, a vase shape umbrella stand is sitting at the vestibule to bless people safe in whole year.

In my final concept, the product will use two materials, one is acrylic sheet with screen printing at double side, another is cast steel with Chromium plating. And all parts are disassembled. They are joined together without any glue and screws.

The design is not only for traditional umbrella, but also for telescope umbrella which Chinese people use mostly. A hook is at the top for hanging up telescope umbrella, and two flowers shape ring are for holding umbrella when it stands on the base. A small dish under the base is for water container. Cross structure provides four compartments, so wet and dry umbrellas can be separated in different space.

Concept development -4

Concept development -3

Concept development -2

This concept will use white plastic sheet instead of ceramic. Hooks on the top are for telescope umbrella. And all parts can be assemble.

Concept development -1

Material will use ceramic and stainless steel.

model test 1

This concept I used two pieces of vase-shape plastic sheet crossing with each other.

Pos: simple, disassemble, new tech in a old shape
Cos: long umbrella is all right but telescope one looks messy when it is opening.

I used three kinds of umbrella putting on a dish to test how many water they provide. after 4 hours, there was about 10ml water in the dish, and some parts of umbrellas were dry. That is a good result to show umbrella doesn't have to open to get dry.

Vase shape

The complex innovations of Chinese potters are unique accomplishments in the cultural heritage of mankind. Chinese ceramic has been a symbol of China.

For my concept develop, using a ceramic vase shape but with plastic sheet will be interested to user, especial Chinese consumer.

Lucky patterns

There are lots lucky patterns which were on furniture, clothes, windows, tableware, etc. I would like to choose some of them to my vase shape umbrella stand.






More patterns: http://www.esgweb.net/PIC/%D6%D0%B9%FA%B4%AB%CD%B3%CD%BC%B0%B8--%BC%AA%CF%E9%CD%BC%BC%AF/index.htm