Chinese designer Steven Yang founded KAR Studio in 2020. He works at the intersection of product design, fashion, and interior design, blending the Eastern philosophy of wabi-sabi with the aesthetics of contemporary minimalism. Yang creates furniture primarily from fiberglass with added resin, putting an accent on the traces of handcrafted materials.
The KAR name is derived from the word "karma" to emphasize inner meanings. The design of collections is often inspired by elements of the traditional culture. The studio's objects of art blur the line between everyday life and artistic objects, acting as art-artifacts.
The Formless collection explores shapes, which refuse to be fixed. Smooth contours and organic silhouettes create a sense of continuous movement. The pieces resemble landscape fragments, gently shaped by the hand of a sculptor. Fiberglass combined with resin imparts a tactile softness and a subtle luminous haze to the surface- the light is not just reflected, it seems to pass through the material. The Formless collection palette consists of just two shades: muted Moss Brown, reminiscent of damp earth beneath moss, and milky Jade, with a subtle hint of stone shimmer.
KAR Studio's international projects include participation in the Cosmoscow fair in Moscow and Define: Seoul, as well as the solo presentation of the Not by Intention collection at the Licht Gallery in Tokyo in 2024. Stephen Young also was the jury member for the international SIT Furniture Design Award.