Profile: jiaxuan lim – Real Leather Design Competitions

jiaxuan lim

Shih Chien University

During a lecture shared by my professor, I was introduced more deeply to leather as a natural material. Compared to the industrial materials I usually encounter in daily life, such as metal, plastic, and acrylic, leather felt fundamentally different in its texture, presence, and sense of life. This contrast immediately drew my attention and sparked a strong curiosity toward the material. As I began to explore it further through both research and hands-on experimentation, I gradually discovered that leather is not a static material. Instead, it carries a unique ability to evolve over time, responding to use, touch, and environmental conditions. It develops subtle transformations and records traces of interaction, almost like a silent reflection of human engagement. The more I learned about its properties and characteristics, the more fascinated I became. This growing interest eventually influenced my design process. I began to intentionally incorporate leather into my work, not only as a material choice but also as a conceptual focus. I wanted it to play a central role in my design rather than serving as a surface treatment or secondary element. Through experimentation and observation, I explored how leather could interact with other materials and how these combinations might create new sensory and emotional experiences. I am particularly interested in the relationship between materials and human perception. For me, materials are not only functional components but also carriers of emotion, memory, and behavior. In this project, I positioned leather as the main material and design subject, using it to express my personal discovery of how material qualities can influence tactile and emotional experiences. Through this work, I aim to communicate how leather transforms through time and interaction, and how such transformation can be perceived in everyday objects. My intention is for users to experience subtle sensory changes through the material, allowing them to engage with it beyond purely functional use. Looking forward, I hope leather can be applied more widely in product design, not only as a decorative or surface material, but as an active design medium that integrates both functional purpose and emotional expression.

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CALMA

Category: Design*

Competitions: Taiwan Region

Contemporary workspaces, often defined by metallic finishes and cool-toned devices, can feel visually and psychologically distant, especially during prolonged periods of focused work. In response, this project reconsiders the desk lamp not merely as a source of illumination but as an emotional mediator that gently softens and rebalances the workspace atmosphere. Rather than demanding attention, it exists as a quiet presence, supporting moments of concentration with a sense of warmth and calm. Leather is chosen as the primary material for its warm, tactile, and inherently human qualities. Set against the precision and hardness of digital objects, it introduces a subtle sense of comfort through both touch and appearance. Its natural texture absorbs and diffuses light softly, contributing to a more relaxed visual environment. More importantly, leather carries a temporal dimension: as it ages, it develops a natural patina that records traces of use, gradually reflecting the relationship between the object and its user. This process of change allows the lamp to gain character over time, transforming it from a static product into a personal artifact shaped by everyday interaction. Structurally, the design emphasizes lightness and clarity. A transparent acrylic rod connects the lampshade and base, creating a subtle sense of suspension that balances stability with visual lightness. The connection is intentionally minimal, allowing the form to appear both grounded and floating. An exposed, tensioned wire is integrated into the structure, forming a clean and precise vertical line. This approach not only resolves functional requirements but also reinforces the overall sense of order and restraint within the design. Interaction is intentionally grounded in touch. From adjusting the lampshade to operating the switch, each action brings the user into direct contact with leather, enhancing sensory awareness. Through the careful integration of material, structure, and interaction, the design seeks to establish a warmer, more enduring relationship between user and object. One that unfolds gradually over time and enriches the everyday experience of working.