The Art of (Re) Connection
Extending the lifetime of bags
[ interaction design ]
In a layered and multidisciplinary exploration, The Art of (Re)Connection thoughtfully merges sustainable design practices, local photography, and artistic expression to revitalize paper bags. This proposal for MUJI delves into the brand’s ethos, visual language, and culture, transforming their checkout bags into canvases of meaningful connection.
The project is presented in an editorial piece that serves as a testament to the process, results, and intentions behind reconnecting through mindful, everyday interactions. At its core, the project embodies MUJI’s brand values, visual language, market proposal, and holistic philosophy, reflecting on the beauty of human connection and art while emphasizing the importance of reconnection in a fast-paced world.
With a visual language that is easily recognizable, MUJI is characterized by simplicity and minimalism. While offering a wide variety of products, the brand consistently adheres to design principles that allow items to seamlessly blend into their environment, both functional and unobtrusive. Every detail is carefully considered to ensure that no unnecessary elements are present, resulting in tasteful products that are practical in any context. MUJI’s clothing line follows sustainable production practices, using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, traceable linen, and non-mulesed wool, while also minimizing waste by sorting and reusing leftover fabrics. By incorporating textile scraps into our project, the project aligns with MUJI’s commitment to sustainability, bringing together key elements of the brand’s ethos.
Finding MUJI’s voice
The project originated from observing a fast-paced world where technology and the rush of modern life have diminished connection, with each other and our planet. We no longer afford ourselves the time to truly appreciate our essence and surroundings, often overlooking the significance of connections forged through interaction, cultural exchange, and the devotion to small gestures that embody our humanity.
The approach is based on the concept of art that (re)connects us as humans with each other, with ourselves and with the earth through sustainable materials and our consideration towards the importance of returning elements to the production cycle. The initiative pretends to remind us of everything that connects us as humans:
Interaction
Culture
Acts of humanity
Small actions
Here art is a means and an end simultaneously, to both recover these connections, and eliminate the shame around being sustainable altogether.
The concept
Capturing life
The intention of this project is to capture everyday moments that highlight our connections to others, nature, and ourselves. By creating a visual archive of moments captured by local photographers, the project evokes a personal connection with our customers, inviting them to reflect on humanity and their own moments of connection. The intention of the photographs is to evoke emotional engagement, beauty, and nostalgia, while supporting local talent.
Key elements from each photograph are be transformed into illustrations and stamped onto a patchwork canvas that serves as an inner lining for the bags.
To create the base for the artwork, and aligning with MUJI’s sustainable concerns, fabric scraps left over from clothing production are reused. These scraps, sorted by color tones, and sewn together as patchwork cover the inside of the bag. The illustrations derived from the photographic catalogue are then transferred to the frabic.
Upon receiving it at checkout, customers can reveal the hidden artwork, giving new life to packaging and offering a creative piece to integrate into their spaces. Through this, the project nurtures a positive connection between MUJI and its customers, giving new meaning to what would otherwise be disposable packaging.
