Gala Fernandez

Considered by many as one of the great wonders of the world, Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is the classic manual on the art of living. Using excerpts from this manuscript, Spanish designer Gala Fernandez invited participants to consider this philosophy in the context of design and its application in their own lives and careers.

For the first two days of the workshop, students studied the words of the Tao, identifying passages and concepts that resonated with their personal philosophies. Ultimately, these thoughts were distilled into sketches and designs that began to take shape on day 3. After intense work in the workshop, concepts such as reflection, cleansing, and continuity were expressed in the form of mirrored stands, playful monsters, and windmills. Final presentations revealed each individual’s interpretation of the text and incited much thought and reflection on behalf of other audience members. “ The Tao taught me to consider tradition,” one participant said, “but gave me the inspiration to create the future.”