Every aesthetic innovation from ASUS is a product of a combination of designers with differing specialties, the result being a crystallization of the efforts of the group. This time the musician and actor Jay Chou has been invited to define the direction and essence of a new product. In concert with the brilliance of our design team, the new ASUS notebook was created in an unprecedented atmosphere of artistic cooperation.
The designers first studied Jay’s albums and audio-visual art to identify key thematic elements of his style, as well as appreciate the central essence of his aesthetic sense: the melding of classical Western elements with Eastern characteristics, marrying diverse musical styles.
Jay conceptualized an initial sketch of a circular motif reminiscent of blue-and-white Chinese porcelain. Rather than adhering rigidly to the traditional round form, the case design, incorporating a near-semicircular form, represents a fusion of Chinese style with Western classical sensibilities. Jay and the design team tried out various elements from Chinese calligraphy to replace the writing found on traditional oriental designs.
The controlled breathing of martial arts, the spirit of nunchaku, the hidden weapons of the ninja, dancing notes from the movement of black and white keys in
the piano room, and the ace of spades produced from the empty hand of a magician. Drawing on each of these elements for inspiration, Jay combined them in a magnificentwork reminiscent of Western
Baroque style.
Having always intended to integrate the bold strokes of Chinese calligraphy into his vision, Jay sketched the English letter “J” over a hundred times with a calligraphy brush, to find the perfect form. He is proud to sign his creation with his personally inked symbol.
During the design process, when Jay needed to order his thoughts he would stroll around the design center by himself, examining the previous work of the designers, or sit reflecting on his written notes. He would also carry a pack of cards with him, entertaining the designers with magic tricks. This inspired idea of a playing card with the letter “J” on it, also used as the “J” key on the keyboard, representing Jay’s skill and his meticulous craft, flawless in its magic.
Jay has a deep love of luxury cars, reflecting a refined sensibility of color, luster and tone. He decided on a pearlescent lacquer in his favorite shade of deep peach, coupled with glittering black; the intense contrast enriches the modern flavor of the East–meets-West fusion.
Jay hopes strongly that the design will be a delight not only for the eyes, but also for the ears. Aside from the four albums loaded onto the notebook, Jay also had a piano moved into the design studio, which he used to improvise compositions during the design process. His fingers flying over the keys conjured a graceful melody that now plays when the notebook starts up. His peerless artistic talent provides the perfect musical accompaniment to the stillness of ASUS N43SL.
