Cultural Influences on Toy Design A thesis submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Design in the School of Design College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning By Hui Wang Bachelor of Technology, Beijing Forestry University June 20, 2012 Committee Chair: Gerald Michaud Committee Member: Margie Voelker-Ferrier and Mikiko Hirayama Abstract Traditional cultures are human treasures. It is necessary to preserve traditional cultures. Due to political, economic, cultural influences, and globalization, the loss of traditional culture becomes a severe problem and needs to be addressed. Education is an important means of spreading culture. For children, toys can be great educational tools as well as entertaining playthings. Through playing with appropriate educational toys, children learn a lot while having fun. Therefore, it is possible for children to learn traditional culture by playing with toys. This thesis focuses on finding how cultural influences can be integrated into toys. By integrating Han ethnic clothing with dolls as an example, I discuss the impact it can bring to children’s traditional cultural education and propose guidelines for cultural educational toy design. 2 3 Acknowledgement “Thank you” is not enough to express my appreciation to my thesis committee members. But still, I would like to first thank Professor Gerald Michauld for his kindly two years’ company of advising me during my entire master of design program. Thank him for always wanting me to accomplish what I want to pursue as a designer, and thank him for enlightening me and pulling me back to the right track at every stage of the thesis. Also, I want to acknowledge Professor Margie Voelker-Ferrier. It would not be possible for me to design and make all the dolls garments without her teaching. There are so many things I have learned from her. Thank her for letting me step a little into the beautiful fashion world, which always has been one of my dreams. And surely, gratitude goes to Professor Mikiko Hirayama as well. She gave me tremendous insight on Chinese culture by showing me new perspective of Chinese art history, which provided great support to the culture part of my thesis. Finally, I extend my gratitude to my family, and thank all my professors and classmates of the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning. 4 Table of Contents Abstract......................................................................................................................................................2 Acknowledgement.....................................................................................................................................4 Table of Contents....................................................................................................................................... 5 List of Figures............................................................................................................................................. 7 Chapter 1 the Forgotten Human Treasure................................................................................................ 9 Chapter 2 Meet Hanfu............................................................................................................................. 14 2.1. What is Hanfu........................................................................................................................... 14 2.2. The development of Hanfu in history...................................................................................... 15 Shenyi......................................................................................................................................15 Jialanpao................................................................................................................................. 17 Ruqun......................................................................................................................................18 Beizi.........................................................................................................................................20 Bijia..........................................................................................................................................21 2.3. The significance of Hanfu to Chinese culture...........................................................................22 2.4. The disappearance of Hanfu and current situation................................................................. 23 5 Chapter 3 Culture education at home.....................................................................................................26 Chapter 4 Toy is more than plaything......................................................................................................28 Chapter 5 Doll wears Hanfu.....................................................................................................................30 5.1. Early investigation.....................................................................................................................30 5.2. Building prototype for testing.................................................................................................. 31 5.3. Testing procedure..................................................................................................................... 37 5.4. Testing Results.......................................................................................................................... 40 Chapter 6 Conclusion...............................................................................................................................45 Bibliography............................................................................................................................................. 48 Appendices...............................................................................................................................................50 1. Role definition of Chinese women in the history........................................................................50 2. Textile in the USA.........................................................................................................................52 6 List of Figures Figure 1 Zaju.................................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 2 Quju................................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 3 Jialanpao............................................................................................................................18 Figure 4 Ruqun.................................................................................................................................19 Figure 5 Beizi....................................................................................................................................20 Figure 6 Bijia.................................................................................................................................... 21 Figure 7 Doll’s Shenyi design........................................................................................................... 32 Figure 8 Doll’s Ruqun design........................................................................................................... 33 Figure 9 Doll’s Jialanpao design.......................................................................................................35 Figure 10 Doll’s high waist Ruqun................................................................................................... 36 Figure 11 Figure for question 1 in testing....................................................................................... 38 Figure 12 Figure for question 2 in testing....................................................................................... 39 7 Figure 13 Testing Participants holding the doll for testing............................................................. 40 Figure 14 Question Accuracy before and after playing with the dolls........................................... 42 8 Chapter 1 the Forgotten Human Treasure The history of design interprets the history of culture as well as technology and art. Design is highly influenced by culture in both form and content. In China, the culture of the Qin and Han dynasty led to the grandeur of Qin and Han design, Wei, Jin and Northern and Southern dynasties’ design shows the mingling of thought, Song and Yuan design shows rational thinking. For instance, The Wei and Jin period had a mixed culture. Though an age of continuous war and frequent changes in political power, it was a time with prospering in arts and culture, and significant scientific development. The traditional Han culture was influenced by the northern nomadic tribes who settled down in the central plains China. Clothing, bed, dance and instruments of the Northern Hu people became integrated into Han people’s life because communication between ethnics was carried on. 9 At the same time Buddhism entered China and Daoism was developed. Wide sleeves and long robes, flying ribbons and floating skirts, elegant and majestic hair ornaments, all these became the trend of Wei and Jin garments. (Hua, M., 2000) Above, is a description of Zaju. It is a kind of female clothing which appeared in the Wei and Jin period. Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern dynasties