Search results matching tag 'Design Works'

Results of 4th NextGen PC Design Competition

AKIYC — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:20:00 GMT

The Fourth Next-Gen PC Design Competition, orginised by Microsoft and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), throws down the gauntlet to budding industrial designers and seasoned professionals working in the field worldwide to apply their ingenuity, design prowess and creative flair and vision to the task of not merely give existing computing form factors a superficial makeover, but fundamentally rethinking the PC as we know it from the ground up.

This year’s competition issued an open call to entrants to dream up futuristic PC designs that give a new lease of life to people’s passions, such as travelling, music or photography. Contestants were challenged to come up with groundbreaking designs, not only featuring eye-catching aesthetics, but melding cutting-edge hardware with the latest software toward empowering people to follow their passions.

It certainly captured the imagination of the design community. The competition fielded 120 submissions from 32 countries that were as diverse as the passions they were aimed at empowering.

The winner's works are shown below:

Napkin PC
1st Place Judges Award & Chairman’s Award Winner
Avery Holleman

The Napkin PC is a multi-user, multi-interface, modular computer designed for creative professionals to collaborate and bring their greatest ideas to life.

WITHUS
2nd Place Judges
Taeho Wang, Minjoong Kim

WITHUS is the computer helping a preschool children shape the right values and human relationship by driving them into playing and learning with multi human interactions. Existing computer environment plays important and useful roles in various areas such as education, work, entertainment, and communication. However, it prevents direct interactions between two human or human and society. It is because current PCs are replacing the past human activities which need real contacts among people. It makes more difficult for young children to grow as an adult with right value and personality.
WITHUS solves the above problems of current PC environment. A kid as a user is attracted to enjoy more various and interesting contents with their friends by physically connecting his/hers with friends’ WITHUSes. Various firsthand experiences and collaborative activities through WITHUS promote the kids to grow as a social being by learning cooperation and compromise.

Backpacker's Diary
3rd Place Judges Award & Public’s Choice Award Winner
Zhongren Zhang, Chun Yang

Backpacker's diary is a PC concept that integrate with the form of traditional book, the target user is the enthusiastic travelling fans. In this "book", different pages include different functions, like media recording, solar recharging and EL illuminant. The approach of reading a book takes the traditional way of operating computer, which encourage those backpackers to experience and share more about their trips.

Two students' works from our school (Industrial Design programme, National Univeristy of Singapore) were selected as the Finalists:

conceito
Finalist
huang xiaonan, Brian Lau

Digital painting PC for artists that allows:

1. flexible LCD screen can be carried around in the outdoors, and its translucency facilitates artiest to look through the screen to paint the sceneries.
2. digital pen interacts with LCD screen and the base. it has color sensing mechanism, gather color from real objects.
3. base is LED touch screen, showing color palette, and the pen can obtain color from the digital color palette.
4. the screen is scrolled up, and fixed to the supporting stand by using pen as the lock

INFO Live
Finalist
Brian Law Chuan Chai, Huang Xiao Nan

INFO Live is an data organizer for connected internet world. It is able to transfer data information to any hardware and person any moment in time of need. In addition, it has a powerful information update system that alerts user of incoming information, e.g. email, documents, photos , video & etc in terms of ionic representation.

For more information, please refer to http://www.nextgendesigncomp.com/Default.aspx

13th International Bicycle Design Competi

AKIYC — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:50:00 GMT

Deadline: 10 Aug 2008

Hi! The Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center is organizing the 13th International Bicycle Design Competition (IBDC) and invites entries. There is no entry fee! You may read about it on http://design.runride.com and register through this web page from May 1 to August 10 2008. After registration you have until August 10 2008 to submit your work (4 electronic files in jpg format) via email for the First Round. Twenty-one finalists will be selected and notified by September 15, 2008. These twenty one submit their final work (a small-scale model) by December 20, 2008. Final results will be announced on March 17, 2009, the first day of the 2009 Taipei International Cycle Show. The Grand Prize NT$500,000 as well as high honorary is waiting for you!

Below are the last year winners:

2007 Grand Prize -- SUNNY DAY

2007 Second Prize -- SVEPA

2007 Third Prize -- EVERGLIDE

For more information, please visit http://design.runride.com/

MacBook Air Multi-touch Trackpad: two-finger pinch zooming, and two finger scrolling

AKIYC — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:30:00 GMT

For more information, please visit http://gizmodo.com/372482/asus-eee-pc-900-lands-at-the-fcc-macbook-air-style-multi+touch-trackpad-revealed

Ted TalK: Norman Foster- Building on the green agenda

AKIYC — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 13:08:00 GMT

Architect Norman Foster discusses his own work to show how computers can help architects design buildings that are green, beautiful and "basically pollution-free." He shares projects from throughout his career, from the pioneering roof-gardened Willis Building (1975) to the London Gherkin (2004). He also comments on two upcoming megaprojects: a pipe to bring water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea, and the new Beijing airport.

For detailed information, please refer to Ted TalK: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/174

Braun vs Apple

AKIYC — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:55:00 GMT

A recent article published on Gizmodo, compared the design of Dieter Rams and Jonathan Ive, demonstrated that Rams' old designs for Braun during the '50s and '60s hold all the clues not only for past and present Apple products, but their future as well.

For full article, please visit http://gizmodo.com/343641/1960s-braun-products-hold-the-secrets-to-apples-future

results of dining in 2015

AKIYC — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:09:00 GMT

There were 4843 creative individuals and institutions from 98 countries participated in this competition which is orginised by designboom and 'MACEF international.

The ex equo first prizes are as follows:

name of design : leaf-shaped spoon
design by : Shuhei Senda from japan

leaf-shaped spoon 1
designer's own words:
This spoon makes us softly feel that we live to be given the blessings of nature. It is designed with the wish that we think a great regards of dining more and more as human's essential workings in the future

name of design : din-ink
design by : andrea cingoli + paolo emilio bellisario + cristian cellini + francesca fontana from italy

designer's own words:
Turn your favourite office tool from your desk in a common cutlery...this is din-ink. A set of pen caps, including a fork-cap, a knife-cap and a spoon-cap, that replaces the normal pen cap during lunch time! All caps are made by annually renewable resources, like natural starch and fibres, to be 100% biodegradable and atoxic, warranting the best alimentary use. Dispensing each set in a compostable packaging the whole set is designed to respect the environment. Now give your office ballpoint pen a good excuse to be gnawed by your teeth: use them for din-ink.

name of design : fragile
design by : Mey Kahn + Boaz Kahn from israel

---
designer's own words:
When was the last time you emphatically broke somthing? The ceramic salt and pepper shaker offers you the opportunity to do it! The product comes in one piece and by breaking it, you make it useful. Breaking is an experience of impulsive outburst, But this time is an act that builds rather than destroys. In a world of products whose shape is completely dictated by the designer, we enable the user to complete the design himself. The event of the breaking leaves its mark on the shaker and gives it its final, unique, one-of-a-kind appearance.

In addtion, I would like to showcase two shorlisted items contribuated from our almuni Yap Hock Heng and our 2nd year student, Tan Jun Yuan:

name of design : AG_Chopsticks
design by : hock heng yap from singapore

designer's own words:
In the past, royalties in the Korean kingdom uses silver(AG) chopsticks to test their food for poison. Although the presence of poison is not of much concern in our modern day society, there is however a growing awareness for the detection of harmful bacteria within our food. Hence the mounting interest in food science and the advances made in biosensors. A major breakthrough in this area of science is the use of chromatic conjugated polymer as a fast and simple way to detect harmful food bacteria like E.Coli and Salmonella. When the organic polymer comes into contact with these bacteria, the proteins within the bacteria will cause it to change colour. By incorporating the polymer within a pair of silver chopsticks, users are provided with a simple tool to test the freshness of their food. This will enable users to safeguard themselves from possible food poisoning and give themselves a piece of mind when dining. My design aims to update a traditional practice with present day technology, and make it relevant for dining in 2015.

name of design : nutcracker
design by : jun yuan tan from Singapore

designer's own words:
There are times when I’m confronted with an uncooperative nutcracker which does not crack nuts cleanly and efficiently, and places huge amounts of stress on the hand during operation. It is a painful experience to crack a nut, and this has prompted me to think of alternatives to cracking nuts in an elegant and delightful manner, allowing people to enjoy the process and also the aroma of a freshly cracked nut. Nutcracker! offers a fun and effortless alternative way to cracking a nut, transforming a mundane activity into something of an event. Bringing together people, friends and family, through its innovative fun and play, it is also safe and stress free, as cracking a nut only involves lifting of the weight and dropping it through the tube. Aluminum, stainless steel and acrylic are chosen because they are recyclable, and the natures of the materials offer stability and clarity. Where there are fresh nuts to be eaten, there will be the Nutcracker!

For more information, please visit: http://www.designboom.com/contest/winner.php?contest_pk=21

d-lab™ at Maison et Objet

AKIYC — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:25:00 GMT

Objects Around the Tablescape, the first collection of objects presented by d-lab™, will be exhibited at the Maison et Objet in Paris, France in January 2008.

d-lab™ is a commercial entity and a brand name created by the Design Incubation Centre, Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore. It aims to be a platform where DIC is able to communicate its research and findings in the form of products that are produced and distributed through commercial channels. Below are some selected works shown at the Masion et Object this year.

Idea of a Vase
W 360 x D 250 x H 45 mm

Description: set of 10 vase shaped blocks in frame
Materials: teak or nocture black Corian™
Design direction: Patrick Chia
Design: Design Incubation Centre

Stairway Paper Tray
W 360 x D 240 x H 50 mm

Description: paper tray to hold A4 sized paper
Materials: matt finished Corian®
Colours: white
Design direction: Patrick Chia
Design: Yong Jieyu

A Family of Short Legged Lights
W 250 x D 160 x H 370 mm
W 470 x D 100 x H 145 mm
W 320 x D 90 x H 90 mm

Description: set of 3 table lights
Materials: matt finished Corian® and teak
Colours: white/teak
Design direction: Patrick Chia
Design: Design Incubation Centre
Idea of a Vase
W 360 x D 250 x H 45 mm

Description: set of 10 vase shaped blocks in frame
Materials: teak or nocture black Corian™
Design direction: Patrick Chia
Design: Design Incubation Centre

A Long Fruit Bowl
W 790 x D 180 x H 90 mm

Description: a long centerpiece fruit bowl
Materials: matt finished Corian®
Colours: white, black
Design direction: Patrick Chia
Design: Dominic Poon, Tan Jun Yuan,
Liang Yanjie

For more information about Objects Around the Tablescape, please visit http://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/dic/recent-projects/objects-around-tablescape/index.html

For more information about DIC, please visit http://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/dic/

Leapfrog honoured red dot award: design concept 2007

AKIYC — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:42:00 GMT

Congruation. Donn Koh and his thesis work "Leapfrog" has won the red dot award: design concept 2007 which is considered as one of the top design competitions around the world. Leapfrog is also the winner of Braunprize 2007. For detailed information of LeapFrog, please visit red dot website: http://www.red-dot.sg/concept/porfolio/06/11ls/R076LF.htm or Donn Koh's webiste: http://www.donnkoh.com/

Leapfrog is a new type of walker designed for children suffering from cerebral palsy or spina bifida, which offers a sense of fun and freedom.

Unlike other assistive walkers, which often concentrate only on the physical needs of children with cerebral palsy or spina bifida, LeapFrog Assistive Walker also factors in their emotional needs. LeapFrog helps children with impaired mobility to rise and stand from a sedentary position, as well as allowing them to practice walking and attain balance. It also allows for short sedentary breaks. The transformation between the various modes (i.e. sitting, standing and walking) is seamless, as it automatically follows the intention and movement of the child. Automatic sit-braking prevents the child from sliding and crashing when seated, and therefore prevents the child from acquiring erroneous movement patterns.

Thus, instead of being forced or locked into positions, the child is partially assisted in the switch between sitting, standing and walking. This not only allows for more autonomous and frequent practice, but also imparts a greater sense of achievement, independence and self-confidence. The product’s support mechanism can be set according to weight and therefore can be adjusted according to the child’s development. In addition, the appearance of LeapFrog gives a caring, fun and toy-like impression instead of the frightening medical aesthetics of conventional walkers, which other children shun in fear. This toy-like appearance even prompts unimpaired children to eagerly ask, “Can I play with that too?”

Donn Koh would also like to acknowledge:

Singapore Cerebral Palsy Centre (link)
For their earnest support throughout the research, development and testing of LeapFrog, in particular the 2 amazing children Martin & Keith, and their parents. Also to dedicated therapists Auntie Baby, Ms. Ong Eng, Mr. Kumar and Uncle Kelvyn.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Design & Rapid Prototyping Centre (link)
For the special late nights and holidays spent working on 2 RP models of LeapFrog (including the one that won the BraunPrize)! The dedication and skill of Mr. Tan and Mr. Kaya Totong were instrumental in meeting the deadline, and the success of the project.

Stribest Manufacturing (link) & Yew Lee Metals (link)
For generous support in the manufacture of the functional testing rig. Especially to Bah Kut (Yew Lee) and Dennis & DeSheng (Stribest)

Wong Kok Keong won Judges' Prize of Muji Award 02

AKIYC — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 13:12:00 GMT

Congruation to our NUS ID alumnus Mr. Wong Kok Keong (AY05/06) whose work has won the Judges' Prize of Muji Award 02 this year. The Competition attracted 3422 entries from 47 countries in the world this year. There was only one Gold Prize ,no Silver Prize, and only three entries were selected by all the judges for the speical awards.

Currently Kok Keong is working in Orcadesign http://www.orcadesign.com.my/, a top design consultant company in Singapore/Malaysia which has won numerous design awards, such as IF design awards, Red-Dot awards, etc.

Below is KK's winning entry:

Judges' Prize: Chornotebook

Name : Wong Kok Keong [Orcadesign] (Singapore)
Category : Notebook

Diary schedules are arranged in lines and grids, which are difficult to see and has little flexibility. This notebook makes it clear, intuitive and easy to plan and see your daily schedules.

Jury comment (Kenya Hara):

The schedule book that expresses the hours of each day in a circle was interesting too. The relationship of the circular movement of the day and that of turning pages is reminiscent of the relationship of the earth’s rotation each year around the sun. It brought a fresh rhythm to a notebook.

Below are other works from the winners:

Gold Prize: Towel with further options

Name : NIIMI [Takuya Niimi/Yuki Niimi] (Japan)
Category : Towel

This bath towel moves your mind toward further uses of the product. Towels take every day dirt and gradually become damaged. In accordance with such changes, you can downsize the towel with "further options" from a bath towel to a bath mat, and then to a floor cloth and dust cloth. The towel has a vertical and horizontal textured surface that does not produce pile-fabric waste when cut with scissors. The lines act as a marker for cutting and form square modules that let you imagine other uses, encouraging you to re-use it.

Judges' Prize: Stackable Hanger

Name : Satoshi Yoshiizumi (Japan)
Category : Hanger

The hangers can be layered precisely, allowing compact placement with a minimum of space occupied. Also, layering something makes you feel good. The feeling of wanting to layer or accumulate something of the same shape might be an innate desire.

Judges's Prize: Kakujio

Name : De Meyboom Lab. [Yasuhito Hirose/Ryohei Yoshiyuki] (Netherlands)
Category : Food

Salt is one of most useful spice for cooking. But, we tend to put too much.
Kakujio is 2.5cc each. You do not have to measure it. It is a certain quantity anytime.

For more detailed information and juries' comments, please visit the award website: http://www.muji.net/award/

Sound Candy

AKIYC — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 06:34:00 GMT

Sound Candy is a device with which anyone in the world can create his/her own playground anywhere of using sound and movements around him/her.In our daily life, we are surrounded by the "Kings of Entertainment" such as theme parks and home video game machines. However, without such entertainment, we must be able to create a new "Playground" by using ordinary stones and wood sticks around us. Sound Candy is designed that people repossess the experience of creating "The new play" with their own hand.In its small body, Sound Candy can be attached to any part of our body and almost objects, Sound Candy has two functions as follows. First, it has a recording function. Second, it has a function to integrate the recorded sounds and the signals from the sensors, such as vibration or acceleration caused from variety of movements. So users attach Sound Candy to their body or objects, and can convert the recorded sounds in various ways by selecting a play mode from four play modes; Angle Mode. Vibration Mode, Speed Mode and Rotation Mode. This design is a project from Okude Laboratory of KMD:KEIO MEDIA DESIGN.

For more information, please visit: http://www.sound-candy.com/