The Craft-Techmen Project

A series of home appliances that bridge the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.

Introduced during the 2020 Virtual Design Festival through the Ventura Projects series of exhibitions that showcase the work of 88 international designers and brands, Craft-Techmen Project brings a traditional twist to modern home appliances. Japanese designer Kodai Shimizu designed the collection with a range of craft techniques. The series aims to give ordinary items an heirloom quality and thus transform them into an alternative to mass-produced products. Enhancing both the aesthetic and the build of home appliances, the Craft-Techmen Project features a range of designs meant to last in a family for generations. The series includes a speaker, a hairdryer, and a radio.

Made from wood, the items have a beautifully tactile surface and as well as gorgeous natural colors and textures. Hand-sewn detailing combines tradition and technology. While the threads give the objects a handmade look, they also enhance the functionality of the designs. The conductive threads act as programmable dimmer switches. The user can access the controls with a rotating motion that changes the contact level between different threads. In the hairdryer, the strands change the temperature, while on a speaker they adjust the volume. This system allows endless applications and also provides an easy solution to maintain and repair the products over time. The 2020 edition of VDF lasts from 15 April to 30 June. Photographs© Kodai Shimizu.