Hasta La Ideas

Designer Ivan Zhang originally hails from Shanghai but is currently working towards his Masters degree at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design in Germany. Indeed, his work draws heavily on a certain school of Northern European design, which holds that form follows function. In keeping with the unassailable logic of minimalism, Zhang has developed his own formula, simplifying “A + B → C” to “A’ → C”—something to the effect of incorporating a “correction” (user-generated solution for specific use cases) into a product.

For example, not only does the Bookshelf’ incorporate a flatpack-friendly hinged top and bottom panel, the slightly arching shelves eliminate the need for bookends (or the ad hoc solution of propping of a book to serve as such.)

We usually tilt the last book on the shelf in order to prevent the books from falling. Likewise, a wide variety of bookends are on the market for the same purpose. This “conscious action” or “auxiliary bookend” is defined as “B” in A’ philosophy, that is: correction… This natural shape of Bookshelf’ makes conscious rectification unnecessary.

Elaborate justification aside, the work is quite interesting in itself—the tension in the shelves suggests a tautly composed structure, and Zhang notes that “with the strength produced by the arched board itself, users can easily assemble the bookshelf without punching or screws.”

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