Shaobo Liu
Projects
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Projects
About
CV
News
TUBO
[RISD MID Thesis]“TUBO” -- an assembling play system apply paper tube and connectors as anchor to invites preteen to build, modify, and invent new structures from their own imaginations.
The system aims to encourage creativity by offering a sense of constructed freedom that stands in contrast to environments with fixed outcomes and passive.
Media: Papertube, plastic connector
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Beyond Packaging
[Biomaterial design]Imagine a packaging solution that doesn’t end up in the trash the moment you unbox your product but instead becomes a source of soothing aroma in your daily life.
This concept transforms protective materials into a sensory experience: once you’ve opened the box, the top piece simply attaches to your diffuser, gradually releasing a gentle fragrance that fills your space. By giving the packaging a second life, we not only reduce single-use waste but also create a small moment of delight—turning a mundane task into an unexpectedly pleasurable ritual.
Media: Biomaterial
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Scendure
This project merges ephemeral tradition with a durable, modern aesthetic, culminating in an incense holder that elegantly captures time, scent, and ash. Its aluminum body stands tall and minimal, echoing an amphora’s timeless silhouette while ensuring robust longevity. Within the vertical tube, residual oils from the incense accumulate, extending the fragrance long after the ember fades and transforming a fleeting moment into a lasting sensory memory.
Media: Aluminum
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ShakeTrac
[Ritual Design]ShakeTrac is a reimagined protein shaker that transforms the everyday fitness routine into a mindful ritual. By integrating a track with a rolling ball along the side, the design generates a distinct sound each time it’s shaken, marking the start of a focused workout session. This subtle sensory cue encourages users to pause, reflect, and engage more deeply with their fitness goals. In doing so, ShakeTrac elevates a simple daily task into a purposeful, habit-forming experience that underscores how thoughtful design can bring ritual and intention into an active lifestyle.
Media: Plastic
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Commission - Honey Hole
Entering the summer of 2024, I took on a commission for the company HoneyHole with minimal background information, transforming the limited brief into a valuable exercise in client-focused design. I delivered a solution that aligned with the client’s needs for prototyping and user testing.
Media: MDF, Steel, PLA
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BUY2BE
[Design with AI - Team Project]As an exploration of generative AI's creative potential, we authored BUY2BE, a children’s storybook developed entirely using AI tools, with a focus on prompt engineering as the primary design method. The story follows a preteen equipped with AI-powered glasses that allow him to instantly acquire any skill by “becoming” a character—whether a pianist, athlete, or scientist. While the glasses offer limitless potential, the narrative explores themes of identity, dependency on technology, and authentic growth.
Media: AI
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HUG
"As a child, my parents had a lounge chair that felt like the ultimate comfort zone. It wasn’t anything fancy, but its oversized, cozy design felt like it was 'hugging' me—a feeling that has stayed with me ever since. Looking back, many details of that chair have faded from memory, but its shape and the warmth it evoked remain vivid.
Media: cardboard, foam, packing peanut
Dimensions: 58”x61”x42”
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EchoVase
[Puzzle Design One]Feeling a lack of interaction in my work during my final year of college, I embarked on a series called Puzzle Art. This project challenges the static nature of traditional vases by introducing modularity and user interaction. Through an innovative interlocking system, users can customize the arrangement, creating a unique connection between design and functionality.
Media: Clay + Glaze
Dimensions: 16” x 16” x 27”
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LUMOS
[Puzzle Design Two]A versatile lighting system designed to adapt seamlessly to various environments and user needs. Whether presented as a single piece or in multiple configurations, LUMOS redefines functionality and aesthetics in lighting design.
The system's modular design allows it to transition effortlessly between wall-mounted, floor-standing, or table-top applications, offering flexibility for any space. Controlled via a remote, the lighting system provides intuitive user interaction, enabling adjustments in brightness and ambiance with ease.
LUMOS is more than just a light—it's a dynamic and customizable solution that brings adaptability and style into everyday spaces.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: 7”x7”x7” ( individual box )
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Craft
This series explores the boundaries of form and material, weaving together subtle textures and unexpected shapes to spark curiosity and reflection. Each piece reveals a hidden narrative, inviting you to consider how structure and space interact in ways both familiar and new. Click below to delve into the inspirations, processes, and stories behind these sculptures.
Media: Multimedia
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