Weizheng Chen holds a Master's in Information Experience Design from the Royal College of Art (QS World Ranking No.1 in Art & Design), specializing in emotion-driven UX/UI and visual design. Skilled in product planning, user research, and visual design, he independently manages the full design process—from requirements gathering to feature definition and interactive delivery—balancing user needs, product feasibility, and business goals.
Passionate about consumer electronics and aesthetic detail, his work prioritizes emotional resonance, usability, and engaging visual experiences. His cross-disciplinary background includes collaborations with cultural and technology institutions on large-scale interactive and cross-media design projects, which have expanded his creative perspective and adaptability. Curious, innovative, and team-oriented, he thrives in collaborative, fast-paced environments.
Sugar Spike
Why
Sugar Spike reveals the dark history of sugar production, from its origins to the present. It explores how our endless demand for sugar fuels worker exploitation and environmental destruction, challenging us to confront the hidden costs of this everyday commodity.
What
The installation features a drip device linked to live sugar-price data from the stock market. As sugar prices rise, a clear liquid drips onto sugar, turning blood-red to symbolize the deepening exploitation of labor. A slide projector continuously displays the history of sugar's impact, resting on a stand made from sugarcane that dehydrates over time, representing the suffering of overworked laborers. Beneath the installation, a map illustrates deforestation driven by sugar plantations.
How
Created with reclaimed materials, the drip device and projector reflect the human and environmental toll of sugar production. The sugarcane stand highlights the physical cost to workers, while the satellite map connects the industry to global deforestation. This piece invites viewers to reflect on their role in sustaining this harmful cycle.
Operation Process
Drip Device System
Arduino Kit /3D Print /RefinedSugar/ Glass
At the core of the installation is a drip device controlled by real-time sugar stock data.
As sugar prices rise, a transparent liquid is released, which turns blood-red upon contact with the sugar. This transformation symbolizes how rising profits deepen the exploitation of labor. The white sugar absorbs the liquid, representing how the power of profit consumes life and well-being.
The Wheel of Sugar History
Silica / Sugarcane / Slide Projector
A slide projector, operated by an automated machine, continuously displays the history of sugar exploitation from the past to the present. It rests on a stand made from sugarcane, which dehydrates over time, symbolizing the suffering of sugarcane workers afflicted by CKDnt (Chronic Kidney Disease of non-traditional causes), brought on by prolonged, high-intensity labor without sufficient water or rest. The repetitive motion of the projector symbolizes the ongoing cycle of exploitation, while the mechanical fingers operating it represent the power and profit driving the suffering of these innocent farmers, pushing the history of exploitation to repeat again and again.
Deforestation Map
Beneath the installation, a satellite map depicts deforestation in Yurimaguas, part of the Amazon Basin, primarily driven by agricultural plantations, including sugarcane cultivation.
Making process
Technical Documentation for Embedded
Project
Project Name
Sugar Spike （
Real-Time Sugar Price-Controlled Drip
Device）
Project Overview
This project is an intelligent control
system that uses an ESP32 microcontroller to retrieve real-time sugar price
data and control the opening and closing of a drip device based on price
fluctuations. By designing and 3D-printing a custom casing, the core hardware
components are integrated into a standalone unit, making it suitable for
applications such as agricultural irrigation and industrial drip control.
Project Objectives
- Real-Time Sugar Price Monitoring:
Retrieve and monitor sugar price fluctuations online.
- Automated Valve Control: Open or
close the drip device based on sugar price changes.
- Hardware Integration: Design a
portable and durable casing to house all components.
- Low Power Consumption: Optimize
power management for prolonged operation.
System Components
1. Hardware
- ESP32 Development Board: Acts as
the central control unit with Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Servo Motor: Executes physical
actions to control the drip valve.
- 3D-Printed Casing: Custom-designed
and printed to protect the internal hardware and facilitate installation.
- Power Module: Supports both USB and
battery power sources.
2. Software
- Real-Time Data Retrieval Module:
Connects the ESP32 to a cloud API to fetch real-time sugar prices.
- Logic Control Module: Determines
valve status based on predefined price thresholds.
- Servo Motor Driver Module: Converts
control signals into servo motor actions.
- Debugging and Monitoring Module:
Provides system status via serial communication or a web interface.
Technical Implementation
1. Data Retrieval and Processing
- API Integration: Use HTTP protocol
to fetch JSON-formatted real-time data from a sugar price provider.
- Data Parsing: Extract key fields
(e.g., current sugar price) from the JSON response.
- Logic Evaluation: Compare the sugar
price against thresholds to decide whether to open or close the valve.
2. Servo Motor Control
- Utilize PWM output of the ESP32 to control the servo motor.
- Implement precise angle control for the servo.
- Add safety mechanisms to prevent overloading or misoperation.
3. Casing Design
- Create the casing model using CAD software with features such
as:
- Modular design for easy hardware installation and maintenance.
- Ventilation holes to ensure safe operation during extended
use.
- Optional waterproof design.
4. Power Management
- Optimize the ESP32’s deep sleep mode to reduce power
consumption during idle periods.
- Support multiple power sources: USB or lithium battery.
Project Outcomes
- Functional Validation:
- Successfully retrieved real-time sugar price data and
controlled the drip device based on price fluctuations.
- System operated stably with accurate servo motor responses.
- Hardware Integration: The casing
design is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, making the device
portable and easy to install.
- Power Optimization: Operable for
multiple days in battery-powered mode.
Project Highlights
- Integration of IoT and Embedded Design: Real-time data retrieval combined with physical device
control.
- Modular Casing Design: Seamlessly
combines hardware and aesthetic design.
- Cost-Effective Implementation:
Utilizes readily available embedded hardware components to minimize costs.
- Broad Application Potential: Can be
expanded to other automatic control systems based on real-time data.
Potential Improvements
- Add Multi-Sensor Support:
Incorporate temperature, humidity, or pressure sensors to enhance system
adaptability.
- Optimize Algorithms: Use machine
learning to analyze sugar price trends and refine control logic.
- Remote Monitoring and Control:
Develop a mobile app or web interface for remote management.
- Industrial-Grade Packaging: Improve
the device’s waterproof and dustproof capabilities to suit harsher
environments.
Conclusion
During the creation of this piece, I deeply recognized the alignment between commercial product design and artistic creation—they both must possess social impact and value. What truly motivated me was using every possible method to pursue and approach a socially meaningful goal, ultimately achieving self-worth.
Throughout the process, I began by contacting a renowned American photographer to obtain image permissions, consulted professionals on debugging and modifying 3D printers, and independently created drafts, modeled, and printed the components. Afterward, I completed the design and testing of embedded installations myself. I continued refining the work through embedded coding, mechanical assembly, and iterative adjustments until the installation reached perfection. Eventually, the piece resonated with audiences both domestically and internationally during its exhibition, making viewers realize their entanglement within the cycle of sugar consumption and raising awareness about the exploitation of sugarcane workers in developing countries.