Tao,
I've been invited to give feedback to all Parsons students, regarding your thesis projects.
I like how you're thinking about a social issue, and how dialogue among Asian teens and parents might help things overall. But I have to wonder if a piece of furniture is really the right solution? If a teen is already feeling intense pressure, how would working across from his or her parent lessen that pressure? I fear that it might intensify it.
Perhaps a social solution to a social problem is the first step to solving this design challenge? I wonder if step one might be setting up facilitated dialogue sessions between Asian teens and parents at schools or community centers, so that the pressure is alleviated a little bit before they sit down to work together? In addition to dialogue, perhaps shared activities, like outdoor sports or conflict resolution workshops could help.
Also, would each family have to buy this Share Station? Or would some cultural organization be subsidizing the purchase?
I think there are seeds of great thinking in this product design concept but I also think you need to look at the underlying roots of the problem and address these before introducing a piece of furniture.
Good luck! J.
