Design Sojourn

I always wondered why I never entered design competitions. They are great! They exercise the mind, may win you fame and fortune and even money. Possibly I was wallowing in self-pity or to busy trying to live. Perhaps as my colleague, who shall be known as “tua_designer”, aptly put “we are all talents but no time!”

Anyways there is a nice little furor of interest in design competitions in the studio that I work at. I must say the most prolific participant of design competitions must be my other collegue “micro_designer”. She has quietly “kicked butt” ninja style by getting herself short listed for one recently. Kudos!

So here are some cool design competitions to enter:

Design boom’s Shelter in a cart

2006 Taiwan International Design Competition Theme Nomad

Also check out the winning entry of Design Within Reach’s Champagne Chair competition. It is truly a beautiful piece of art, and a forehead slapping, wonderful solution to a problem. I love to look at winning designs and what I can learn form them. So are down right odd, and I wondered “huh what happened?” However the truly great winning designs I would call it a “Doh!” solution. Homer Simpson style.

That’s what we designers should always strive for. Obtaining that elusive BIG “Doh!” solution. We have tackled many a design briefs, and in many case come up with countless of concept solutions. But the best solution is the most logical one. The beauty of this “Doh!” solution lies in that it fulfills all aspects of the brief, and has a form that is beautiful, unique, usable, manufacturing viable, and basically just RIGHT!

The great thing about us designers is that we know it when we see it. Well at least I hope we do?

Seeing an opportunity, I’ve started a forum for local Singaporean designers to network and discuss about the design industry. It’s also open to designers from other nationalities who are interested in working or designing in Singapore as well as China and Asia.

Here is the link.

I do hope that as many of you will join and contribute to the community, and we can all work together to raise the standard of design in Singapore.

While doing some research i stumbled on this gem. Cnet's MP3 insider Eliot Van Buskirk has given a really nice run down on the historical development of the world most famous and un-ergonomic interface.

Talk about a bad design doing good. The over use of the iPod click wheel may causes repetitive strain injury (RSI) according to Carl Irwin, from the British Chiropractic Association. Caril said:

"This is a really serious problem. The action needed to move the wheel on an iPod is totally unnatural and effectively separates the joint in the thumb every time you use it.

"This causes inflammation in the thumb or fingers and can be very painful. We have also seen cases of iPod users where the problem has spread to their elbow and neck."

Referred by usernomics

Who says Singapore has no Design Talent? Check out the winning design for the 2005 Electrolux Design Lab competition.

Designed by Gabriel Tan and Wendy Chua, both from the National University of Singapore, this waterless washing machine, inspired by a waterfall, uses negative ions and compressed air to clean clothes. Brings a new direction to dry cleaning.

Congrats to them both!

More information at Core77 and femalefirst.

I have been looking for this little gem for the longest time after i saw a video clip on this in japanese. I finally found it on the Martha Steward Website in a graphic form. Enjoy!

Oh and one more thing Happy New Year everyone!