Milk Tea Fantasy, Research & Design Journal

Customising Modern HK needs:

Reinforcing HK Local Cultural Identity with our milk tea

SD 3473 Design History 2 with Philippe Casens

Milktea.lab DorFunLaw Studio Dorcas Wan 15071207D

Francis Fung 15082378D

Wendy Law 15020579D

Thanks

to Dorcas’s immense creative power and resourcefulness,

Francis’s wild imagination, articulate organization ability and strong social awareness, Wendy’s working efficiency, delicate and careful character, and our tutor Philippe’s patient guidance, we, the milk tea lab / DorFunLaw Studio (in Cantonese, it means “much fun indeed”) are joyfully delivering 3 directions , 3 developed concepts and more ideas as creative solutions in response to Hong Kong cultural identity crisis [PROBLEM]. The redesigning practice is focused on our significant cultural design icon, our intangible cultural heritage, the symbolic energy drink that dissolves the essence of East and West, the

Hong Kong style milk tea

[WHAT].

NEW REALITIES, NEW ROLES FOR DESIGNERS Essay Competition Design Academy Eindhoven

Designer’s Unpredictable future

//Designers will become more individualized and perhaps isolated; having a sense of the common threads that link society will ground them. As with any phenomenon with mass appeal, different levels of specification can determine the demise or success of a common goal.// As a result, our discussion topics are broadly covered to avoid marginalization.

The beauty of this project is that multiple ideas can be shown together even if they clash in order to ‘feeling the times’.

REDESIGNING

CULTURAL ICON & EXPERIENCE

HK style milk tea: Popular and Low-profile cultural symbol Knowing that this is not a typical tangible industrial product this course has been introducing, we hope to introduce it and clarify its equal importance as with others.

Considering the HK milk tea a product preserving qualities from different cultures, we find its local existence and influence made to dining culture immeasurable. It is always fascinating to know how diverse roots it has: the delicate combination of tea and washing wisdom from Chinese, multi contextual i.e. morning and low tea, feature from British, while South East Asian disseminates the unique mixing motion of tea with milk from high perspective and precision. After all these years, it has evolved into our locational-specific “silk stocking milk tea”, thus added a crucial element on our typical HK dining table.

With a yearly consumption of 1 billion cups, the milk tea has been associated with one of the most representative cultural symbols, Cha Chaan Teng, its most delivered and consumed place. In fact, this all-time favoured local restaurant takes up 90% of the sale of Black & White condensed milk, revealing the close relationship these 2 cultural symbols share. With their economical price, ensured quality of food and service, these 2 icons have been representations of Hong Kong people’s fuel: a rewarding/ calming object during our tough daily life. Milk tea is even described as the “spiritual drink” of the local.

FOOD DESIGN food design: the history of the liquorice wheel by designboom

//Since the mechanization of the food system that happened during the industrial revolution, food designers work on things to eat, giving them a certain style and function. they not only make sure that food and drink fill our stomachs, but also that the eating process is practical and appeals to all the senses – so that we’re hungry for more.//

As a Theme of Reflection about local cultural identity We believe the silk stocking milk tea is perfect for boosting the present and future Hong Kong people’s interest towards local culture, thus strengthening our sense of belonging and reinforcing local cultural identity. Be it in whichever directions, we hope that the milk tea tasting/ delivering/ ordering experience can reward the tired Hong Kong customer, soothe their exhausted and somehow, lost soul.

Not being die-heart Hong Kong Milk tea fans, the team has striven to explore not only the cultural / design icon itself, but also the new role of designers and rising non-industrial design industry. In this project, we design not only conventional products that are meant to be mass produced and consumed, but more importantly, innovate the experience that the icon bridges between customers.

RESEARCH

● ●

Globalization & TNCs monopolyse cultures into commercial products Boosting economic development over cultural/ innovative creative industry; profit maximization

●

Vague identity on “local culture” ○ ○

●

cuisine seems to be everything drinks are less often brought up

Huge gap between tech. development & socio-political set-up

CULTRUAL REMIX: HISTORY

●

PRESENT & PROJECTION

ORIGINS:

CN: delicate combination, brewing & washing tea process UK: diverse contexts SE Asia: crafting tea prodution model

●

Dai Pai Dong Tea Room

BOOSTERS: UK businessmen, HK bar tenders

Intangible cultural heritage

●

glorified local cultural top sale product (1 billion/day) that reinforces our identity in the global village

● ●

Associates with HK spirit:

convenient & fast: long opening hrs, short serving time, guaranteed taste economical dining choice 1 Old/ Traditional

workers’ energy drink #take a break # HK people’s morning ritual ●

Unconscious influence on aesthetics perceptions

● ●

2 New/ Chain stores

Fusion of food Fusion of serving/ dining 3 from mainland

X feeding humble class tourist spots

more popular, commercial

MAKE OUR OWN TEA

REINFORCING LOCAL CULTURAL IDENTITY

VENDING MACHINE Interactions retreat to that between machine & human

Extracted Cha chaag Teng visual elements Various color tones of milk tea Emphasing HK lifestyle - Effecient, quality

VISUALS

Creative solution 1: the Vending Machine We imagine that Hong Kong will become a place that values material quality, service efficiency over human interaction, it is a time of people having less bonding, within 10 years’ time in anther more “cold” universe (hopefully not the one we are living in). Therefore, we have come up with the idea of a vending machine that provides automated customization of Hong Kong style milk tea drinking/ ordering experience. It emphasizes solely the cultural icon itself and eliminates the interaction to that of customer with machine only. Extracting the customisable elements of the tea: milk to tea ratio, smoothness, cold/ hot, or even type of tea, we choose to present options, pricing and detail description and decorate overall appearance with reminiscent elements from Cha Chaan Teng such as mosaic floor tiles and handwritten Chinese characters. Customers order their drink without saying a word, but only by selection: from preferable milk to tea ratio by looking on the color palette, to feel the smoothness by touching the button.

PLAYING PROCESS MOTION

OPTIMIZATION

ENHANCING SOCIAL INTERACTION //Design is no longer a question of products and their implementation, but has become a bridge between clear communication and expression.//

Creative solution 2: the set of storytelling pieces

Here user’s ordinary drinking habits are

#Bar counter as theatre

“interrupted” with a set of reflective tools. As the opening of the storytelling performance, users have

The refreshing incidental effect has remained the

to pour tea on the open Book of Milk Tea so that it

sole topic when it comes to HK style milk tea. We

flows to both edges where two customers are seated

hope to bring up its history and production process

and sharing the outcome. The milk-pumper was

in front of the customers by reconstructing the

designed in the same way to encourage discussion.

tasting and making procedures, thus provoke more

They apparently would start conversations when

diverse interactions among users. On the other side

mixing milk in their cups. In the end, the focus is

of the future, we believe interactions between

about customers who take part in the performance

individuals are new needs, especially in such a hectic

can share thoughts, trace stories about the milk tea

city where traditions are fragile and always forgotten

together. We believe more objects can be created in

as time flies. It is also about passing on the culture,

the future to join the family of the set of storytelling

attracting the users more dynamically.

pieces.

A set of helping tools to start conversations To pour tea on the open book so that it flows to both edges where 2 customers are seated and sharing the outcome. They apparently would start conversations when mixing milk in their cups.

The book of milk tea

The milk-pumper

New value of tasting process

A set of helping tools to start conversations

The milk-pumper

The book of milk tea

TAKE A BREAK

Milk refil: top-loaded lid

Cap to be unlocked here

Thermo Twist & Drink Mug that separates milk in the cap, which falls and mixes with tea at the bottom when opened

Combination of present milk tea container material (glass, stainless steel, ceramic)

Power supply from the bottom so that the liquid is kept warm and hygiene

AND HAVE FUN

Creative solution 3: the Thermo Twist & Drink Mug

The whole system relies on the mug and its location. Similar to present street bike-sharing

This time we are focusing the future when the HK style

system, users scan and unlock found mug and

milk tea is losing its competence and probably when

enjoy the drink provided by the previous user. It

the masters of making them are out of the industry,

may sound risky in terms of hygiene, that is why

perhaps within 30 years. As stated in the summary of

users have to register and log in once they drink

research, one of our pessimistic projection is the 2

and pour new tea to keep quality monitored. For

extreme development of Chan Chaan Teng: either being

example, mug containing expired drink cannot be

famous tourist spots or become merchandised/

unlocked. This system we call it the social honesty

“mainlandised”. These tea restaurants will serve no more

give & take system. We hope to keep the masters’

the humble class but tourists, at least they are no

craft in making true silk stocking milk tea through

longer offering what the true local want. Therefore, we

this social design.

are proposing a social game with Iot system and physical product integration.

TAKE A BREAK

+ social honesty take & give system: replace ingredients for next community member

“Where is my nearest milk tea?” combined with IOT system: 1.

2.

3.

spot checking date of renewal unlocking system

AND HAVE FUN

ADDRESSING MATERIAL SUSTAINABILITY //Viewing the icon not only at its “serving” touchpoint, but also the BEGINNING: production, material collection, and DISPOSAL//

mass producing and consuming “natural” human milk

Humans’ inability to absorb all nutrients from cow milk

HUMAN MILK TEA

MATERIAL . TOUCHPOINTS

WASTED FEAST

makes the best of the properties of leftovers outcome that can appear in the cycle, in front of users again

REDESIGNING

NEW ROLE NEW NEEDS PERSPECTIVES

Finding our team working style: to have enjoyed ourselves very much

Conclusion

throughout this project. Each of us has always contributed at own character-given role. Peer-to-peer networking thought out the whole project and more importantly finding our passion of the project.

Redefine the meanings of milk-tea: As Designers are the first group of explorer to experience the Design result, we at the end have an opportunity to figure out our root of love to milk tea by absorb into the research and experiment..

Further understanding the possibility of Designer roles:

The above ideations help our team to

The Set of Storytelling Pieces comes out as The Thermo Twist & Drink Mug is

have a further understanding of the

to further explore in this direction and

emphasising the blank slate of producible

possible roles of Hong Kong Design.

transfer to the stage of Potential design

possibilities and the thorny

Defined as an existential design, The

which redefine notions of authorship that

considerations of who makes things, with

Vending Machine is inspired by human currently position the personality of the

what and how they make them. Social,

obvious habits and needs. Instead of

maker as the utmost in design identity.

technical and conceptual supports are

adopting a globalized identity, it is

The variables and constraints of

still open. There are many uncertainties

localised, it “started to research on the

fabrication are engineered in such a way

about its feasibility but it is how this

that the consumer feels the freedom and minute aspects that distinguish one place

system can bring people together and

from another, lest these cultural

fractal diversity of nature. Which

enjoy the product in a totally different

idiosyncrasies be smoothed over”.

Re-established the value of the process.

context , method that truly matters.

We hope the above have given you new perspective of thinking. Do share any comments and insights with the milk tea lab. See you.

Do you know?

MilK and Tea Food History by Papila

Tea was accidentally discovered that some leaves were dropped to a pot of water (Qianlong empire)

Milk were introduced, human become the first animal species to consume others species fresh milk.

REFERENCE About HK Milk tea*: About food design: 2010 food and design report: https://www.dezeen.com/2010/11/22/food-and-design-report /#the_communal_kitchen Comeptition essay as inspiration: https://www.designacademy.nl/Portals/0/www/corporate/re search/Essay_Milano2011.pdf Global street food: https://www.dezeen.com/2009/02/15/global-street-food-bymike-meire-for-dornbracht-2/ Eating early industrial revolution: https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/eating-early-industr ial-revolution/ https://www.dezeen.com/2012/06/26/technology-and-desig n-the-digital-industrial-revolution/ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jan/24/glo bal-food-system-report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJIGfF_Hgb8

*All In cantonese Taste, motion, making https://goo.gl/images/zyqxV9 , http://businessfocus.presslogic.com/2017/11/17/article/43949/, https://www.hk01.com/%E9%A3%B2%E9%A3%9F/128519/%E6%B8%AF%E5%BC %8F%E5%A5%B6%E8%8C%B6vs%E5%8F%B0%E5%BC%8F%E5%A5%B6%E8%8 C%B6-%E5%B8%AB%E5%82%85%E6%95%99%E5%9C%A8%E5%AE%B6%E6%B2 %96%E5%A5%B6%E8%8C%B6%E7%A7%98%E8%A8%A3-%E5%A5%B6%E8%8C% B6%E9%83%BD%E6%9C%83%E6%8E%9B%E6%9D%AF, https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/ICHO/zh_TW/web/icho/representative_l ist_milk_tea.html History: https://kknews.cc/zh-hk/history/8mojakl.html DIY milk tea product set: https://www.ztore.com/tc/brand/%E8%87%AA%E5%AE%B6%E8%8C%B6%E5% 9D%8A-955 https://www.weekendhk.com/?p=640575&utm_campaign=Sharing&utm_mediu m=Whatsapp_Msg&utm_source=Whatsapp Event: Milktealogy:https://m.facebook.com/pg/BlackandWhite.HK/photos/?tab=alb um&album_id=1124805434210868黑白 HK milk tea Day 2014 http://timable.com/zh-hk/event/729406

Related local industry, culture:* Cha Chann Teng as the most representative symbol of HK: https://kknews.cc/zh-hk/food/69v8v.html HK Milk farm, development and renewal : https://hk.news.appledaily.com/local/daily/article/20150414/19111935 https://hk.news.appledaily.com/local/realtime/article/20180402/58021060 Tea farm! Only one in HK- Tai Mo Shan http://www.greend.hk/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%BD%E5%B1%B1-%E9%AE%AE%E6 %8E%A1%E9%A6%99%E9%86%87%E7%B6%A0%E8%8C%B6

Thank you

Dorcas Wan 15071207D

Francis Fung 15082378D

Wendy Law 15020579D

CUT FROM REPORT

Conclusion of our learning outcome

Existential

Potential

design

design

NEW REALITIES, NEW ROLES FOR DESIGNERS Essay Competition Design Academy Eindhoven

Designer’s New Position

Existential design

//-as the citizens of emerging economies command a stronger consumer voice, designers will have to focus their research on the minute aspects that distinguish one place from another, lest these cultural idiosyncrasies be smoothed over. ● ●

a complement to potential design it immersed in the emotional, haptic present. //

Peer-to-peer communication // Rigid top-down systems established to optimise mass production in the last century are being replaced by flexible peer-to-peer networks, leading to new aesthetic codes and the destruction of the idea of the designer as author. //

Beauty situated in the details of life ●

● ●

//Human behaviour is increasingly being defined by the incidental effects of industrial design, rather than by the habits and needs that inspired this design in the first place.// consequence:: cognitive disorders modernized countries

Potential design

//Potential design will redefine notions of authorship that currently position the personality of the maker as the utmost in design identity.

Potential designers will engineer the variables and constraints of fabrication in such a way that the consumer feels the freedom and fractal diversity of nature, rather than the using limitation of colour palette and size.//

Re-established the value of the process

SD 3473 Design History 2

Customising Modern HK needs Dorcas Wan 15071207D

Francis Fung 15082378D

Wendy Law 15020579D