This work was created for the Magis Puppy Design Challenge 2019 to represent the company SpectorGroup in the competition. The challenge brief called for a redesign of the Puppy originally designed by Eero Aarnio in 2005. The 3D computer modeling reflects the time I spent during the pandemic lockdown in New York City. I added a horn to the puppy, resonating with ideas of the unicorn, which symbolizes purity and grace and has the power to heal sickness. It can also render water potable, a necessary element for both the sick and everyday routines. The unicorn also connects to fantasy and rarity. I visited the Met Breuer Museum and learned that in medieval myths, they are associated with enchanted lovers.
I made four of them with the following names: Dipsy (green), Tinky-Winky (purple), Po (red), and Laa-Laa (yellow), after a TV show I watched as a kid called Teletubbies. I didn't really watch the show much. I thought it was too silly even though I was a kid too. It was silly because when each episode was about to end, the Teletubbies would wave and say goodbye, then go away. After two seconds, they'd come back to say goodbye once more, as if it was too bittersweet to end the show just yet.
One feature I remember about the show (which is kind of the main point of the show's title) was that at a certain time, one of them would get a calling, and the screen on their belly would show a real-life short video of children doing everyday activities. Each video showcased kids from different backgrounds and cultures. Here, the video shows busy subway scenes with recorded sounds that were shot before the pandemic. This video reflects a time of uncertainty due to disease while being in New York City, touching on themes of loss - both how we feel and what we have lost. I thought it reflected my experience during the COVID-19 period.
This design also reflects on the original concept of the Puppy by Eero Aarnio, who was motivated to create for children's sensibilities and encourage them to engage with their surroundings. He believed that design should be both functional and evoke emotion, stimulating the senses. The puppy, a blur between furniture and toy, parallels my idea of a hybrid of dogs and unicorns, especially during the time it was made. Eero's child-friendly design, which invites interaction and sparks imagination, contrasts with its video form, telling a story about social-distancing experiences. The idea of imagination relates to what it takes for resilience, as it allows us to envision a future beyond our current circumstances and find creative solutions to challenges.
This work explores the intersection of early memories, fantasy, and the realities of a global pandemic, reflecting the experience of adapting to unprecedented times. It juxtaposes the playfulness of youth and entertainment with scenes of a city in crisis.
