What philosophy guides the brand “Habit-Us”?

Habit-Us takes its name from the concept proposed by French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, which refers to the collection of habits and experiences that shape an individual’s life and culture. Based on this idea, we pursue “designs that allow people to experience culture in everyday life.” Rather than simply creating objects, we explore how each piece can hold meaning and naturally integrate into daily life.

How was “Call Me In – Gat Wind Chime” created?

It began with the form of the traditional gat (Korean hat), the porous structure of charcoal, and the shared quality of their “elegant black hue.” In the Joseon Dynasty, the gat worn by noblemen symbolized dignity and welcome, while in the modern day, a wind chime serves as an object that greets through sound. The warm, inviting meaning of the phrase “Call Me In” was expressed through the clear and resonant tone of the wind chime.

What was the most challenging part of the production process?

The most difficult part was recreating the elegant lines of the gat using charcoal, an irregular and fragile material that easily cracks or breaks. Through dozens of structural experiments and strength adjustments, we perfected the proportions and angles, and finally achieved a stable yet refined aesthetic quality.

Which aspect of the design did you focus on the most?

The key focus was visually simplifying the Korean identity embodied in the gat as a cultural symbol. We boldly eliminated complex ornamentation and expressed Korean beauty solely through the tension of proportion and line. The bell of the wind chime was crafted from high-purity copper to produce a deep, clear resonance, allowing the sound itself to convey a distinctly Korean sentiment.

How did you incorporate environmental values and sustainability into “Call Me In – Gat Wind Chime”?

“Call Me In – Gat Wind Chime” is a fully biodegradable craftwork made from locally sourced charcoal, a material that naturally returns to the earth after use. At Habit-Us, we view the purifying and cyclical nature of charcoal not merely as an eco-friendly element, but as a philosophy of sustainable living. Like an object that deepens in character and lingers over time, our design seeks to carry the aesthetic sensibility of tradition and the spirit of craftsmanship into modern daily life.

What are your future plans and goals?

Starting with “Call Me In – Gat Wind Chime,” we plan to expand our series of objects that reinterpret Korean tradition in a modern way. We aim to build diverse exhibition and distribution channels so that people can experience the sentiment of Korea in museums, cultural spaces, and overseas galleries. We hope that our craftworks will move beyond mere decoration and become “a language of culture.”