Dezeen Magazine

Weng Xinyu designs emotionally needy homeware collection

These household products designed by Bauhaus University graduate Weng Xinyu mimic human emotions and misbehave when left alone (+ slideshow).

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

A clock that tries to cut off its face when not watched and a lamp that switches itself off when left unattended are among the items in the range.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

Weng Xinyu, who designed the products as part of his final year project, named the collection Good Medicine Tastes Bitter after a Chinese proverb.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

"Good Medicine Tastes Bitter. Although its taste is not so pleasant, at least it cures the disease," he explained.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

“In this project I tried to create a series of products that are not so useful, but have good intentioned messages inside,” he said.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

Applying this remedial concept to the collection, Weng has attributed each object with characteristics that dictate how they can be used.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

The designer set out to question whether products always need to be useful, or if they could be used as a vehicle for an idea, by asking: "Do products always have to satisfy the users?"

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

Angry Lamp is a light that irritatingly or conveniently switches itself off if left burning for too long.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

It also shuts off if it finds itself in competition with another light source.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

This behaviour is designed to remind users to switch off the appliance when not in use.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

A clock that self-mutilates when not watched – Time Killer – attempts to disconnect its face from its body by slowly sawing through the timber that connects it with the wall, stopping only when approached.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

The Tangible Memory photo frame mists over with time to obscure the image it contains, which can only be revealed again when rubbed.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu

A light that doubles as a shadow puppet theatre, titled Shadow Play, completes the homeware range.

Good Medicine Tastes Bitter by Weng Xinyu