F5: Jolie Ngo on Chicago Bricks, Her Favorite Clogs + More

Ngo blends 3D-printing technology with hand-painted imagery influenced by the digital aesthetics of her childhood, as seen in Minecraft and The Sims. A Vietnamese-American creative, she also references her heritage. Faceted forms echo the look of traditional silk lanterns, while layered textures recall the topographic views of rice paddies. (Zappia)

My project centers on exploring what plastic as a material can achieve. Jolie Ngo’s pieces and personal inspirations stood out as a reference point for my own work going forward. Her work utilizes color and texture in a way that feels both inviting and distinct. I hope to play with rivets and texture in my own work and find her approach very engaging. 

1. Bricks of Chicago

One of the most important shapes that clay can take is in the form of a “brick”. The form is foundational and can be found everywhere, but varies widely in shape, color, texture and how it is installed. They post images of architectural bricks around the Chicago area (and sometimes other places). From zoomed in shots to capture the detail and nuance of each unit to photos of the building in their entirety. This account really highlights the intersection of two big interests of mine, ceramics and architecture. (Zappia)

One of Ngo’s sources of influence is pulled from the bricks of Chicago. This serves as a reminder to be aware of the beauty and craftsmanship in the city all around us. Being mindful of these local textures and patterns could be valuable. If done right, incorporating them into my final capstone project can allow for harmony with the environment.  

2. Bioscleave House (Lifespan Extending Villa) by Arakawa and Madeline Gins

The Biocleave House by Arakawa and Gins is a home designed to reverse your destiny (extend your lifespan). What first caught my eye about this building was the collage of bright colored panels, and the sloping, bumpy terrain you had to traverse just to get to the kitchen. The idea was for the house to be an “interactive laboratory of everyday life” whose terrain and walls were unconventional to what we expect in a nuclear family home. It would challenge the senses, and Arakawa and Gins believed it would strengthen the immune system, and sharpen the mind, thus expanding the life expectancy of those who lived there indefinitely. I love the playful quality of this house, and how it toes the line between being serious and humorous. (Zappia)

Another compelling reference is the Biocleave House by Arakawa and Gins. The way it challenges the norms of traversing through a house inspires me to push the interactivity of my piece. I aim to retain a sense of playfulness and provoke thoughts like the aesthetics of this project. 

This plastic printer has been a real game changer in my practice over the past year. It’s one of the tools I use to bridge the gap between my digital designs and physical objects. I use it for both prototyping designs I may eventually make out of clay and making unique plastic objects that stand on their own. (Zappia)

Zappia, Anna. “F5: Jolie NGO on Chicago Bricks, Her Favorite Clogs + More.” Design Milk, 14 Feb. 2025, design-milk.com/f5-jolie-ngo-on-chicago-bricks-her-favorite-clogs-more/.