Bean Dolls of the Old Trades

Wrist Rest for Designing Cultures Studio

Making with the traditional method of dried bean sprout husks, the Bean Dolls feature four symbolic figures of Singapore old Chinatown: Towkay, Kopi uncle, Samsui woman and Majie. They helped built the old Singapore through creating jobs, providing cuppa comfort, building infrastructure and providing childcare, respectively. With the effort of the current Chinatown elderly, the bean dolls are designed as a wrist rest, a cuddly toy or a memento of the old trades. It aims to serve as a muse for local history discovery and encourage the younger generations to probe further into their culture.

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Download Press Kit № 106288 Wrist Rest for Designing Cultures Studio by Jesvin Yeo to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Beanlly by Jesvin Yeo

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Wrist Rest by Jesvin Yeo

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Jesvin Yeo Beanlly

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Jesvin Yeo Wrist Rest

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Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Wrist Rest Press Releases

For Bean Dolls of the Old Trades, find press releases in a variety of languages: English.

Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Wrist Rest Translations

Proudly offering Bean Dolls of the Old Trades project translations in several languages: Polsrus AF, Wrist Rest EN, Mbështetja E Kyçit Të Dorës SQ, የእጅ አንጓ እረፍት AM, مسند المعصم AR, Ձեռքի Հենարանը HY, Bilək Dayağı AZ, Eskumuturrekoa EU, Падстаўка Для Запясці BE, কব্জি বিশ্রাম BN, Oslonac Za Zglob BS, Опора За Китката BG, လက်စွပ် MY, El Reposacanells CA, Ang Wrist Rest CEB, Kupumula Dzanja NY, 腕托 ZY, 腕托 ZH, U Restu Di U Polsu CO, Naslon Za Ručni Zglob HR, Opěrka Zápěstí CS, Håndledsstøtte DA, Polssteun NL, Pojnapozo EO, Randmetugi ET, Rannetuki FI, Repose-Poignet FR, A Th’ Ann An Fois Caol-Dùirn GD, O Descanso De Pulso GL, მაჯის საყრდენი KA, Handballenauflagen DE, Στήριγμα Καρπού EL, કાંડા આરામ GU, Rès Ponyèt HT, Hutun Wuyan Hannu HA, Hoʻomaha Lima HAW, משענת פרק כף היד HE, रिस्ट रेस्ट HI, Dab Teg So HMN, Csuklótámasz HU, Úlnliðsstoð IS, Izu Ike Nkwojiaka IG, Sandaran Tangan ID, Scíth Wrist GA, Poggiapolsi IT, リストレスト JA, Bangkekan Liyane JV, ಮಣಿಕಟ್ಟಿನ ವಿಶ್ರಾಂತಿ KN, Білезік Тірегі KK, សម្រាកកដៃ KM, Kuruhuka Kwamaboko RW, 손목 받침대 KO, Hêlîna Destan KU, Билек Эс Алуу KY, ສ່ວນທີ່ເຫຼືອ Wrist LO, Carpi Reliquum LA, Plaukstas Balsts LV, Riešo Atrama LT, Handgelenkrest LB, Потпирач За Зглоб MK, Fiatoana Tanana MG, Rehat Pergelangan Tangan MS, റിസ്റ്റ് റെസ്റ്റ് ML, Mistrieħ Tal-Polz MT, Okiokinga Ringaringa MI, रिस्ट रेस्ट MR, Бугуйны Амралт MN, नाडी आराम NE, Håndleddsstøtte NO, ହାତଗୋଡ ବିଶ୍ରାମ OR, د لاس آرام PS, جای مچ دست FA, Podpórka Pod Nadgarstek PL, Descanso De Pulso PT, ਗੁੱਟ ਆਰਾਮ PA, Suport Pentru Încheietura Mâinii RO, Подставка Для Запястий RU, Tapulima Malolo SM, Ослонац За Зглоб SR, Wrist Rest SN, کلائي آرام SD, මැණික් කටුව විවේකය SI, Opierka Zápästia SK, Naslon Za Zapestje SL, Nasashada Gacanta SO, Wrist Rest ST, Reposamuñecas ES, Sesa Pigeulang SU, Kupumzika Kwa Mkono SW, Handledsstöd SV, Ang Wrist Rest TL, Истироҳати Даст TG, மணிக்கட்டு ஓய்வு TA, Беләк Ял Итү TT, మణికట్టు విశ్రాంతి TE, พักข้อมือ TH, Bilek Desteği TR, Bilek Dynç TK, Підставка Для Зап'ястя UK, کلائی آرام UR, بىلەك ئارام ئېلىش UG, Bilak Qo'yish UZ, Phần Còn Lại Cổ Tay VI, Gorffwys Arddwrn CY, Polssteun FY, Ukuphumla Esihlahleni XH, האַנטגעלענק מנוחה YI, Isinmi Ọwọ YO, Ukuphumula Kwesihlakala ZU, tailored for your needs.

Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Wrist Rest Media Articles

Ready-to-feature articles on Bean Dolls of the Old Trades are available in these languages: Spanish, English, Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Indonesian, Dutch, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin) and Hindi, for your convenience.

Unique Properties

Hand-sewn and filled with dried bean sprout husks, the Bean Dolls of four symbolic figures of Singapore old Chinatown are designed as a wrist rest, a plushie, or a memento of the early trades of Singapore. The design is a combined effort of the designer and the elderly of current Chinatown who used the traditional method of making bean husk pillows. The design seeks to raise public awareness and serve as a muse for the younger generations to discover local history, culture and heritage.

Tags

Traditional Occupations, Old Trades, Cultural Heritage, Bean Doll, Wrist Rest

Production Technology

The making of the bean dolls was a community effort. With help from the elderly of Kreta Ayer Senior Activity Centre, sacks of bean sprout husks were collected from neighbours, washed and dried in the sun till the husks are dried and solidified. The dried husks were then left in a cool, dry place and carefully handpicked for production. Illustrations of the figures were printed on organic textiles using digital textile printing, which is an eco-friendly process. Next, the elderly cut and stitched the fabric, stuffed them with bean sprout husks, cotton and gave shape to a nice and firm bean doll.

Design Challenge

The challenge was to interview the remaining trade people as they: i) only speak dialects which lead to some difficulty in understanding ii) are too old to be interviewed iii) feel ashamed of their ex-job iv) are the only survivor of their trade (Samsui woman and Majie) and has been interviewed too many times before. Samsui woman, dressed in blue samfoos and a red headgear, is a construction worker who fetches building materials. Majie, dressed in black and white samfoos, dedicate their lives to servanthood with unwavering loyalty.

Project Duration

The project started in May 2010 and finished and launched in January 2012 in Singapore.

Operation Flow

The design is multifunctional as it can be used a wrist rest or played as a comfort stuffed toy. Importantly, it is also a memento of the old trade of Singapore Chinatown, which supported the critical period of the development and independence of Singapore. Through interaction, the design seeks to raise public interests and encourage the younger generations to probe further into our culture and heritage.

Research

The project employed Cultural Design Studies method to explore the culture of old trades and occupations of Chinatown from 1950 to1970. Desk research and empirical data from scholars and trade people were collected and analyzed to envisages the culture through the perspective of visual communication and to shape multiple conceptions of place and identity. The design outputs are functional mementoes that aim to promote the values and appreciative awareness of Asian cultures and history. Commission by the Singapore Chinatown Association and funded by the National Heritage Board.

Inspiration

The project was inspired by the small bean husks pillow used by Chinese Singaporeans to give a sense of security and cushions any sudden noises that may shock their babies. Relating jobs with security. The initial idea was to introduce exciting occupations in the 1950s, such as gangsters of secret societies and coolie, laborer from China. However, the client rejected the unglamorous occupations to avoid any touchy subject. Eventually, the design focused on people who help built Singapore.

Image Credits

Image #1: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_Main, 2012 Image #2: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_01, 2012 Image #3: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_02, 2012 Image #4: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_03, 2012 Image #5: Designer Jesvin Yeo, Bean dolls old trades_04, 2012

Project Overview

Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Wrist Rest has been a Iron winner in the Giftware Design award category in the year 2020 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Iron Recognition

Jesvin Yeo was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2021, a testament to excellence of their work Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Wrist Rest.

Jesvin Yeo Press Releases

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Bean Dolls of the Old Trades Unveiled by Designer Jesvin Yeo

Designer Jesvin Yeo introduces the Bean Dolls of the Old Trades, a wrist rest inspired by the historical occupations of Singapore's Chinatown, launched in January 2012.

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