Chindogu Project

 

“I introduced the term Chindogu in Japan in 1985. Coined from ‘chin’ meaning unusual and ‘dogu’ meaning tool, it refers to a most universal concept: a gadget that appears to be useful but on closer examination isn’t. These inventions must exist, but they cannot serve a reasonable function. Inherent in the premise of Chindogu is this fundamental contradiction....”

 

“A Chindogu, or unuseless invention, is a gadget that has been conceived, designed, built, tested and verified to make our lives more convenient in some way. The only problem is that a Chindogu also makes our lives more inconvenient in another way. The Tongue Cover, for example, prevents us from burning ourselves when we drink a cup of usually hot coffee, but it also prevents us from tasting it....”

 

“A gadget that works but doesn’t work, helps but doesn’t help, is useful but isn’t . . . sad but funny, smart but stupid, logical but inconsistent . . . and at the same time pure, basic and universal. That’s all we’ve really ever needed. And that’s all Chindogu really is.”

 

(From 99 More Unuseless Japanese Inventions, by Kenji Kawakami, forward)

 

The Assignment

 

Your assignment is to create an unuseless invention by following the art of Chindogu and present it on an 8 1⁄2” x 11” book page. You will bring your unuseless design to class for a show-and-tell / photo-op and will turn in your book page for grading. Use the following criteria to complete your assignment, be creative and have fun! This is a lighthearted design project but you must follow directions to achieve a high grade. Carefully plan your time to complete all phases of this project by due date:

 

I. Create your unuseless design

 

By observing the examples of unuseless designs shown to you in class, invent an original unuseless design to solve a design problem that you find inconvenient for everyday life. Follow these adapted “Tenets of Chindogu” in your design:

 

1. A Chindogu cannot be for real use
Chindogu must be, from a practical point of view (almost) completely useless; i.e. ‘unuseless.’ If you produce something that turns out to be so handy you use it all the time – everyone wants one and not a single person laughs – you’ve failed to make a Chindogu.

 

2. A Chindogu must work
You have to be able to use the object. It’s not going to be useful, but it needs to be usable. Only after designing it, building it and testing it are you then qualified to decide that it wasn’t worth the effort.

 

3. Chindogu are tools for everyday life
Chindogu are a form of non-verbal communication understandable to everyone everywhere. A person unfamiliar to your unuseless design must be able to figure out what it is for.

 

4. Humor must not be the sole reason for creating Chindogu
The creation of Chindogu is fundamentally a problem-solving activity. Humor is simply the byproduct of finding an elaborate or unconventional solution to a problem that may not have been as pressing to begin with.

 

5. Chindogu are never taboo
Cheap sexual innuendo, humor of a vulgar nature and sick or cruel jokes that debase the sanctity of living things are not allowed (and will lower your grade).

 

6. Chindogu are without prejudice
All must have a free and equal chance to enjoy Chindogu, regardless of race, gender, age, etc.

 

Once you understand these “Tenets of Chindogu,” you can produce your unuseless design. Your invention must be handmade. Feel free to use any materials you need . . . wood, plastic, springs, metal, paper, cups, spoons, brush bristles, buttons, etc . . . as long as it does not violate any of the “Tenets of Chindogu.” Although a set size is not established, keep in mind that you will be carrying your invention to class and bringing it home with you after class. Make it manageable for you to carry.

 

II. Present your unuseless design on one 8 1⁄2 ”x 11” book page

 

1. Take two color photographs of your invention from different perspectives. The photographs may not be identical. You may cut or crop your photographs to compliment your page layout but make sure they are big enough to convey all the visual information necessary to grade your invention. Remember – you won’t be turning in your actual invention but only your book page for grading.

 

2. Format a page showing your invention to be put into the DESIGN 1 BOOK OF UNUSELESS INVENTIONS. Your page must have:

 

- A Title. Make it eye catching.
- Your name, your Group Leader’s name and your Group name
- Two color photographs of your invention (see #1)
- A 200 word description of your invention. Ariel font, 12-point type, double spaced. Make this good writing! Tell the use for your invention, its unique attributes and your reason for creating it.
- An attractive layout. Use your knowledge of graphic design and your observations from other books to create a page that is interesting to look at and easy to read. Use color!

 

III. Bring your unuseless design and book page to class with you on the due date.

 

You will show your invention to class and will take a group photograph with your inventions. You will turn in your book page for grading. Book pages received after the due date will be considered late, even if you brought your invention with you to class.

 

Again, this is intended to be a lighthearted design project. Have fun creating your unuseless inventions and take time to explore design elements and possibilities. Turn in quality book pages while following all of the project criteria to achieve a high grade. We hope to have a great book of inventions compiled of all your hard work!