How Design Magazine. In July 1999, Parsons School of Design, a division of New School University, opened the Center for New Design, a project-based laboratory dedicated to challenging the creativity of advanced students and faculty.
Located in the heart of New York City's Silicon Alley, the Center aims to shape the future of design by bridging it with technology and business through projects, exhibitions and lectures. "Parsons has always embraced innovation," says Mimi Chan, project coordinator for the Center.
The Center goes one step further and provides an interdisciplinary environment with businesses on real-life projects that emphasize four target areas: technology, materials, process and teamwork.
VICTOR CHU WEARABLES DESIGN INSTRUCTOR
2001
NEW YORK
Parsons School of Design, Center for New Design
Victor Chu, co-instructor for Professor Richard Yelle's Wearable Technologies cell phone design course, spring 2001 at the Center for New Design at Parsons. An interdisciplinary class instructing students on the process of electronics design- from market research to concept, hardware design, interface design, accessory design to engineering. The course challenged students to think and create conceptually yet realistically. Students worked via teleconference with engineering students at Michigan State University on engineering issues and constraints.
Conceptual direction given to students by Victor, and featured in WIRED: "My ideal phone would be a 100% biodegradable device that I could flush down the toilet when I'm ready to buy the newest and latest."
At the end of the semester students presented innovative phone concepts such as “The Mood Phone” and “The Seed Phone”.
The Mood Phone, changes color according to conversational topic and tone and has an astrological interface.
The Seed Phone uses a soy-based resin implanted with seeds inviting the user to "plant your phone" when ready to replace it.
The concepts generated media attention and further inspires Motorola to fund biodegradable casing materials.
Center students redesigned a wireless phone with a focus on using recyclable materials while at the same time improving the phone's interface and styling.
A design by Victor’s student Christopher Koser uses a soy-based resin implanted with seeds inviting the user to "plant your phone" when she's ready to replace it.
Victor was also a Digital Fashion Illustration instructor under Chair of the Fashion Department Tim Gunn, at the department of Fashion Design. Photoshop techniques for textile and fashion design.
