Design - Electric Unplug 1

Problem : Taking out an electrical plug from the socket. At times, we need to really pull hard to extract it.

The unplugging device works in a simple way. It is fixed in together with the plug. The two ends of this device is pressed and the leverage will then lift the plug from its socket.

Design - Bowls

Drinking from a bowl is very Asian and it could be difficult to hold it while drinking the content as it could slip. This design added a flap like edge which rests on one hand when holding it.

Posting in New Paper blog

Mr Elvin Woo P F on July 1st, 2008 9:09 pm
Best Director

Slaven Bilic, the man who made the Croatian players played with a smile and happiness in their heart. The sight of him, in his grey suit and red tie leaping high, looking frenzy and then flew to straddle into the arms of his assistant when Srna scored against Germany epitomizes the child like innocence that endeared him to all. He was never far from the field in all the games, always gesturing, coaxing, pleading and once a while tried an imaginery header or kicking clearance (he was a former defender). One could virtually feel that his heart was on the field with the boys. One would also fear that he would, at any moment, run into the field to play the ball and be sent to the stand by the referee. His boyish enthusiasm was felt, like a 12th player and his boys put up grand performances to beat Austria, Poland and Germany. He wears a stylish earring, is a lawyer, rock musician and a smoker. His personality and actions cast out the notion or perception that football managers are all dowdy, grey haired and are strict disciplinarians. Slaven Bilic had definitely brought back the fun factor to the game and his players responded superbly in the qualifiers (esp against England) and Euro08. Rock on Bilic and Croatia!

Mr Elvin Woo P F 55, Civil ServantRed devils Fan since 60s

Design - Cup Identifier

This design arose from the problem of identifying one's disposal cup amongst company. It is such a ridiculously simple idea of having tags at the bottom. This number tags can be bent to signify a personal number.

Postings in The New Paper Postman

Mr Elvin Woo P F on July 4th, 2008 6:26 pm

Cristiano Ronaldo was borned for Real Madrid. It was only that Man Utd’s players were super quick to notice that he is special and urged Sir Alex to sign him. Since that fateful day, Ronaldo had developed so much that he feels that he has to look for a bigger stage to perform. His personality, show-pony style and constant crave for attention suits the Real Madrid setup better. Throughout Man Utd history, their greats like Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and later greats like Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, etc did not have such characteristics as Utd is not a place for them. The only exception may be George Best decades ago. Let Ronaldo go, let him have that stage in Madrid. I believe that he has that mental strength and capabilities to do well in the whites of Madrid only when he had developed FULLY in the red of Utd. He is still a pony who is still wet behind the ears, not a stallion yet.

Mr Elvin Woo P F55 Civil ServantRed Devils fan since 60s.

Design - Toothpick Dispenser

The purpose of this design is to solve the problem on taking out the toothpick out of the container in a hygienic way. Slots on the top part of the container allow space for the toothpick to be isolated.

Design - Shower Brush

The Shower Brush combined the shower rose with a rubberised brush which allows the bather to scrub his body while splashing the water.

Design - Spring Scissors

This pair of scissors helped those people who may have problem manipulating it to cut. It may be designed for cutting stems and branches off Bonsai plants. The springs help to keep the cutters open.

Design - Chopstick Helper

The above shows the design of a chopstick holder for those who want to use but could not manipulate the chopsticks properly.

Though helpful, it took away the elegance of beign able to hold the chopsticks well. This design could be for the very young or one with hand problem.

Design Process - Bus Stop in Tokyo

Design always starts from a situational problem and this case

it was about the bus stop in Tokyo as listed above.

Research then was done on existing bus stops

Design specifications were then listed

Design concept was then raised.

Further research was done with regards to the ideas

The final idea

Prototype Model of the idea in action

Universal design problems

The image was captured at Toyota's Mega Web design area which typifies the spirit of Design

Below are some of the typical problems which are universal.

A mess of brooms on sale. Chairs are not kept properly

Moving a baby stroller across a mass of bicycles

A washer person's nightmare

Toyota Mega Web in Tokyo 9th June 2008

A visit to Toyota Mega Web at Tokyo's Odaiba Park revealed the latest design of their cars and the futuristic trend towards its design. The cars above are in production at this moment.

Sketches of the designs are shown.

The design of the seat took into account of the wheel chair features, designed for the elderly.

One of the future cars on display which modelled itself like a cart on four wheels. The significant change is in the wheels which are totally different from the synthetic rubberised ones used now.
There is also the individual travel model seen below. There seemed to have no cover, like a rickshaw.

The I-foot looked like a monster dinosaur. The driver is seated on a high pedestral. There is no wheels. Instead the two large legs move along in its travel, like someone seated and being carried around on a throne.

Taken with permission, courtesy of Toyota Motors. I would recommend a visit to this Mega Web in Tokyo if one is enthralled with the latest designs and gadgets.