Taking Notes on DESIGN THINKING

Mr. Steve Chiu, Creative Director of Pencil Box IDP, shared his experiences as a practicing designer in a 'Meet-a-Designer' (M.a.D) session organised by the Design & Technology Educators Society (DTES) Singapore.

I was there on time. We all had a worksheet each.

Most people took notes.
Some summarised in a few sentences.
Few managed to write key words.
One "cartoon'ed". =)

Here are few lessons to share with you from today's M.a.D session.

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I know... you don't really understand. That's because you were not there! Then try interpreting them in your own ways and perhaps you may gain alternative insights! Share with me if you have!

Buddy-Up : Stool

The buddy-stool design was conceived in Oct 2007 in sketches.
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Now drawn using the Windows PowerPoint applications.

Nothing fanciful. At least something done.

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So what's next? Illustration and Rendering in a professional 3-D software? Or...

Perhaps very soon in the near future, you'll see some of my designs made and on sales.

The last one sounds more exciting.

For more Design Samples:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/

'Simply' Cylinder Tower Clock

Tower Clock

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All Art Copyright 2008 by Daniel Lim.Use of graphics is prohibited without prior written consent.

For More Design Concepts take a stroll to http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/

Clock Design Sketches

Sometimes this is what I do during meetings... good place for inspirations.

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Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/ for sketches / doodles / designs to feast your eyes or for some design inspirations.

Cartoons by Daniel Lim

Ever wonder how a cartoonist come out with their cartoons? Beats me.

How do I come out with my cartoons? I'll take you through my experience of cartooning...

Sketching & doodling & experimenting how 'silly looking bird' would look like.

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Adding a punch line and tickling story to tell. I'll leave the interpretation to you.

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The Final Copy!

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A final copy in ink.

Oh ya, I changed the punch line.

In the ideation and the development stage of a design process (in this case cartooning), anything can change and must change for improvement, given the time.

For more cartoons, take a stroll to http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/. Enjoy!

Early Bird Gets the Worm

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For more cartoons, take a stroll to http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/. Enjoy!

Chair Concept by Daniel Lim

Here is an extract of a chair design concept which I created in October 2007. The habit of always searching for alternatives got me this...

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This design shows an alternative design of the flexible back rest by repositioning and transferring the damper mechanism to the legs of the chair. The 'V' shape at the front or back leg at the base, connection the back rest, as shown in the two variations above provide the dampening effect as the user leans backwards.

With a simply relocation of a pivot point, it has also contributed to the overall form creating a new look. Strength and durability at the pivot point need to be looked into.

The concept of a one piece chair is proposed to be made entirely of acrylic or laminated wood. It would definately need some modifications to the one piece idea, move on with some compromise and hopfully which need not drastically alter its initial form.

For more Design Samples, take a stroll to http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/. Enjoy!

Second is not an Option, Neither is First

SECOND is not an option;
As if being FIRST is.
FIRST does require exceeding efforts;
As if being SECOND doesn’t.

Being FIRST or SECOND is actually neither good nor bad;
Until unhealthy competitions and comparisons becomes the fad.

Be the FIRST to love,
Be the FIRST to serve, and
Be the FIRST to give & contribute;
Be the LAST who contradicts.
As if these are important. They actually are.

Composed by Daniel Lim, 06.12.07

The Second Mouse Get the Cheese

The Early Bird Gets the Worm.

TRUE . BUT on the other hand...

IT is the Second Mouse who will Get the Cheese

There is no need to hurry to be first.
It is common, but not necessary;
Sooner could be bitter; later could be sweeter.

There is a need to slow down to be later,
It is not common, but necessary.
Later could be better; sooner could be disaster.

Fine, if someone gets there before you in a hurry.
“LOOK! ...” The first mouse grabs the cheese in a scurry. “…SNAP!!!”
Who is wise if “The Second Mouse Get the Cheese”?

The shallow says it is due fate and a mere coincidence;
The wise recognizes that it is due deliberate efforts and due diligence:
There can be no wine; if there is no fermenting.
There can be no mayonnaise; if you ignore emulsion.

The world is rolled flat for a rat race;
Progressing fast and furious for all its worth.
Recognitions and rewards set the pace;
Accumulating awards and achievements set his worth.

A mouse trap for many,
A sounding warning to detour for few;
For the returns of gratifications and pleasures are high,
But for the latter, the returns of contentment and joy are higher.

But this I know, this other little thing about being first;
It is necessary to be first,
If you know what is to come, but not from you,
That might be bitter and not sweeter; disaster and not better.

Composed by Daniel Lim, 01.12.07

Concept Innovation: Gravity Works on TAP

Existing tap designs work on pressing the top and spring mechanism within the cap activates thereafter to shut off the water flow. The more advanced and modern designs come with levers and sensors. The tradition taps which requires rotating the handle is becoming obsolete.

There could be a simpler way of working a tap. One which will cost less to manufacture, less maintenance and one which neither rely on mechanisms nor electronics to work and minimize water wastage.

This tap innovation concept was created and presented in the Jurong Medical Centre on 6th September 2007 as part of an Experiential Innovation Protocol Workshop Program is shown below.

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The valve within the cap is shut when the cap of the tap is at the rest position. The user lifts up the cap and water will start flowing. The rate of fall of the cap will depend on the rate of flow of water. Research needs to be done to make sure that the cap will continue to fall at a rate to facilitate a complete hand washing process of approximately 10 seconds taking in consideration the average water flow rate of a HDB flat. The user will have a choice of shutting the tap earlier by adding pressure to the cap hence shutting the valve. Otherwise, the cap will fall slowly via gravity to shut the water supply valve internally.

Recommended usage: Toilet. Not suitable for dishwashing area due to the 10 seconds gravity shut off.

For more Design Samples, take a stroll to http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/.

Enjoy!

Probably the Origin of Sub-Standard Behaviours in Schools

Why some students cannot do what is required of them in class...

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For more Design Samples, take a stroll to http://www.flickr.com/photos/stickylife/.

Enjoy!

Bills Sorter

Designed and realised in May 2005, the bill sorter design was planned to sort out unpaid bills. The concept is simple, if there is nothing on it, that will mean no unpaid bills. Below are sample sketches at the CONCEPTUAL & IDEATION stage.

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The ability to represent ideas in the forms of quick sketches in a variety of appropriate drawing perspectives helps the designer to further explore and evaluate the idea. I name this process 'Paper Talk'. Exploded views are presented frequently and act as valuable visual aids to show how parts interact and how they can be assembled.

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The actual (not assembled) paper cut out model according to the proposed dimensions is also shown above. The image below shows the actual product.

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