Woogle Works

Designer Sensibilities

2009-10-16T22:00:00.014+08:00

Woogle Works participated in a design forum hosted by Design Circus entitled "Designer Sensibilities". Located at King Mongkut University of Technology, Bangkok, the speakers comprised of WAWO (Thailand), Anuthin Wongsunkakon (Thailand), Joseph Foo (Malaysia) and myself.

"How designers roles are shifting in society from mere planners and designers to curators, managers, consultants and so forth. What does it mean to be a designer here in SE Asia now in a time of economic recession? And how are creative individuals adding currency to the growing creative economies? What problems might they be trying to solve?" +Design Circus

Full Contents here

Cool Stuff we saw at Bangkok

Inclusive Design Challenge 2009 : Seoul, Korea

2009-09-09T10:56:00.004+08:00

In conjunction with the Seoul Design Olympiad 2009, the next Inclusive Design Challenge will be held from 12th to 14th October. The British Council is seeking applicants to represent Malaysia. I foresee that the exposure of the lucky ones will be much more than the previous challenge held in Hong Kong, because a lot of other design events, competitions and seminars will be going on around Seoul at the same time. Closing application date : 13th September. More details can be found at B.C.'s website.

Not an opportunity to be missed.

*travelling expenses sponsored by B.C.

M.I.C.E.

2008-10-08T17:10:00.018+08:00

M.I.C.E. is a computer mouse sculpted to fit a user I partnered with; who has a different hand structure. With a 2-in-1 layout, it can be also be shared by others. The project went through user research, prototyping and testing.

The M.I.C.E. project also consisted of the following partners:

+ John Khor: Electronic Engineering
+ Benny Liew: Electronic Fabrication
+ Chen Pow On: Preliminary Mechanical Design
+ Teo Yon Lee: Mechanical Design Advisor.

... a summary of the project development

Infiniti (Inclusive Design Challenge 08)

2008-09-08T00:01:00.018+08:00

Infiniti was my team's entry in the recent Inclusive Design Challenge (Hong Kong) jointly organized by the British Council and the Helen Hamlyn Centre of the Royal College of Art.

Click here to view a presentation of Infiniti.

"Why should a partially sighted person compromise their choice because they feel uncomfortable to ask for help? Why should they have difficulty finding a public toilet?"

Infiniti allows the user to stream information using their existing personal mobile GPS technology to position and navigate within the urban environment. Infiniti’s voice activated Bluetooth audio feedback allows partially sighted and blind users to be informed of a sale in a shop window, to find a public toilet, a park or tour a museum or simply choose from a Fast food menu. Infiniti brings increased lifestyle functionality, safety and mainstream appeal to all users.

Click here for Infiniti design diary

Woogle Works Origin

2008-08-28T10:33:00.003+08:00

Woogle Works started in 2006, with the objective of creating an alternative platform to practice unrestricted creative processes. In search of a purposeful application of product design, a series of 'What if ?'s experimental designs were developed for the disabled community. The latest project involved working with my disabled neighbour to develop a computer mouse to be shared between him and his family. I was also fortunate to be invited as part of an international team in the 2008 Inclusive Design Challenge Hong Kong presented by the British Council and the Helen Hamlyn Centre (Royal College of Art, London), a major event addressing design for the abled & disabled.

In 2008, the Woogle Works project expanded beyond design for disability, exploring other areas of design including:

1. Design for Culture
2. Design for National Identity
3. Design in response to User Behaviour
4. Design Inclusively
5. Design for the Commercial Market

"It is my objective and hope that my work will encourage the field of product design to grow locally, to instill awareness of the existence of this profession to the younger generation and to establish a design language unique to our country."

Butterfly Eye Patch

2007-09-25T16:19:00.000+08:00

People are reluctant to wear eye patches, especially children. To change their perception, I applied a butterfly to make the eye patch into more of something to beautify the wearer instead of looking like a pirate.

Woogle Works will be at Love & Money

2007-06-07T21:50:00.000+08:00

I have been invited by the British Council to give a short talk on the topic Love & Money.
The talk will be a simple experience into my diary of design activities from my day job at IRIS to my nights spent on Woogle Works.

Eye Patch Kids

2007-04-23T14:30:00.000+08:00

I was doing some research on eye patches on the market, none really stood out to help the user blend in. But I came across this educational DVD with stories played by puppets to encourage kids with eye conditions to put on their eye patches (so they can be cool like the puppets too).

More information at: http://www.bjortandcompany.com/

Pointing Cane

2007-04-11T23:54:00.001+08:00

The Pointing Cane belongs to the Long Cane category, designed primarily as a mobility tool used to feel for obstacles. It is an extension of the user's hand/finger, so rather than having a round nylon tip, how about a 'pointing finger'? Grip handle is angled to relief stress from the hand when holding the cane. It does not matter if the idea is adapted to a collapsible or fixed cane, because the improvements are only done on the ends of the cane.

Pointing Stick Design Diary

Woogle Logo

2007-02-21T23:11:00.000+08:00

To commemorate Woogle's 1st birthday, we now have a logo!

Mouth Artist 2

2007-02-15T11:37:00.000+08:00

This is the 2nd revision of the Mouth Artist: refined to solve a problem posed by Fahmi regarding the versatility of the Mouth Artist: How does the user (without hands) change drawing tools? The solution has a mouth operated holder, which releases the pen, pencil, etc. when pressed/bitten. The holder is located at the side of the mouth piece for more convenient access. The pen, pencil, brush, etc. is angled so that the tip of the pen, pencil, brush, etc. is not offset too far from the users' mouth.

Hooked

2007-02-10T08:21:00.000+08:00

This project I am experimenting on involves innovating a solution to enable safe single-hand cycling. Difficulties in doing so on existing bicycles: Difficult to get on/mount (at correct saddle height), lost of balance in bumpy terrain, lost of balance during high speed cornering). A C-shaped extension is used. The left open end enable easy mounting of components like brake levers, hand grips and gear shifters. A hook is added as an optional accessory, for hanging groceries, etc.

Pocket Sling :Volcano Pig

2006-12-30T08:08:00.000+08:00

This Pocket sling's pocket is zipped. The zipper runs across the pig's body to spark some humour. The concept of a pig being roasted over the fire of a volcano was inspired by a recent trip to Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

Pocket Sling : Curious Panda

2006-12-30T05:34:00.000+08:00

This is a simple refinement to the existing arm sling. A pocket is sewn as an additional function to the product. This sling design is based on a D.I.Y. design used in emergencies. More modern and minimal sling designs are available but I like its simplicity of being folded from a single piece of triangular fabric. The shy panda peeking from the pocket was added as a graphic element.

Sand Box

2006-12-08T07:46:00.000+08:00

The Sand Box is a simple (or ancient) solution to enable people with speaking difficulties to communicate with others. Sand was chosen as a medium because it is reusable; just scribble what you want to say in the sand with the stylus; show it to the intended person; bury the text with more sand then scribble again.

Click on image to enlarge

Mouth Artist

2006-11-12T02:22:00.000+08:00

The Mouth Artist is an art tool made for mouth artist/mouth painters. The V-shaped fin works as a mouth piece; whereas the cylindrical extension is an adjustable adapter which holds different everyday drawing/painting tools. Tighten the rubberized ring and it enables the mouth artist to hold paint brushes, pencils and pens in his/her mouth. This is a cheap solution to allow people with disabilities to express themselves through art, young and old. Nick Lee fabricated a prototype and flown it to KL all the way from the U.S. Nick is also the mechanical engineer who worked on the locking system. Thanks Nick!

L-Shirt

2006-10-12T14:20:00.000+08:00

This is the first of a range of shirts; not T-shirts but L-shirts since it only has one sleeve. It is designed for amputees, with the graphics carrying messages that matter. The graphics merge with the amputated limb (stump) of the wearer to form an image. It can be controversial, like this one, with the stump of the wearer being part of the bleeding panda with its arm cut off and still bleeding to bring impact to the message opposing animal cruelty.

Big Foot Wheelchair featured on Yanko Design

2006-09-20T22:23:00.000+08:00

link: http://www.yankodesign.com/product_info.php?products_id=1388

Woogle featured on Off The EDGE

2006-09-07T05:56:00.000+08:00

Woogle was featured in the September issue of Off The Edge.
A big thank you to Grace Chin for offering this opportunity to gain much useful exposure.
Article scanned from Off The Edge Issue 21; September 2006, page 31.

Click on image to enlarge

LIME Cycle

2006-08-15T14:47:00.000+08:00

This is the LIME Cycle. The green transport is meant for commuters with walking disabilities (amputees). The concept is to have a basic wheelchair used for indoor or short distance movement & with the help of a front attachment, be able to travel as a handcycle to medium distances. The seat is adjustable (for-aft) to achieve the most comfortable position in wheelchair-mode and handcycle-mode.

Basic specs:
+ Mesh seat on polypropylene shell
+ Rubber/polymer belt instead of a chain (cleaner)
+ Gripshift operated gear hub
+ Optional foot rest for users with other type of walking disabilities
+ Cable operated disc brakeClick on images to enlarge

Bling Bunny

2006-07-08T14:43:00.000+08:00

The Bling Bunny is an experimental product devised based on a scenario I experienced. My right hand is weak due to an injury in an accident. Whenever I wanted to open a Coke bottle or a bottle of mineral water bottle, I had great difficulty opening with one hand.
Bling Bunny was developed to allow people with disabilities to open and close bottles single-handedly.

The bunny is chrome-plated. The idea is to use the reflection of the user and surrounding environment as a way of customizing the product. The reflections are cute, especially when the user's image/face is distorted and capped with bunny ears.

TPE molded over ABS is used for the top palm-opeated button and ears to give it a softer touch and grip. Use of light colour in these parts is to detect when the product needs cleaning to maintain hygiene. The ears are extensions of a flip-switch. Pushing it left or right determines whether the bottle cap is being opened or closed.

For detail explainations of how the Bling Bunny works, kindly visit the Design Diary at: http://woogleideas.blogspot.com

Click on image to enlarge

Rocking Crutch

2006-06-08T02:14:00.000+08:00

This concept adapts a curved sole to produce a rocking movement when used. More surface contacts the ground to increase stability and grip. The curve also eases the task of going up and down stairs. Another major feature is the X-shaped underarm support designed to increase stiffness. The "Rocking Crutch" was designed with the image of modern sports equipment; to suggest it as a tool to enhance human physical ability. This is to break away from the stereotype impression that people with disabilities are lesser than abled people.

Comments welcomed: especially from crutch users.

Project done in collaboration with Tham Ming Yoong (Bachelor of Engineering- University of Birmingham)

Foldable Walking Aid

2006-05-30T09:30:00.000+08:00

The product is used by stroke victims with mobility problems. The user would be strapped into the leg guides first, then hooked onto the main support body. The frame supports the user in a standing position, whilst the hinged leg guides allow leg movement (supported to prevent injury). Wide wheels enhance stability while assisting the user in moving from one place to another.The system is similar to a baby walker, the difference being having details integrated to prevent injury while learning to walk again.

Project done in collaboration with Tham Ming Yoong (Bachelor of Engineering- University of Birmingham)

Big Foot Wheelchair

2006-05-29T09:30:00.000+08:00

I designed this as part of a study of having a wheelchair contain more personality; in this case, it hasa pair of hollow cartoon-like legs, making it somewhat humorous and comical. Featured on CORE77:

http://www.core77.com/bullitts/2006/04/Wai-Lam-Wong-Bigfoot-wheelchair.asp?context_id=1¤t_bullitt_id=440&current_bullitt_number=12

Events

2001-10-09T22:49:00.008+08:00

Young Guns 08: Buy My Thoughts

Pecha Kucha Volume 5

Bombay Sapphire Celecrity Glass Exhibition

48 Hour Inclusive Design Challenge

Press

2001-10-09T22:26:00.009+08:00

Art4d , August 09

iSH Issue 9.4, 2008.

48 Hour Inclusive Design Challenge Programme Book, 2008.

Fast Company, 2006.

CORE77, 2006.

Off The Edge, 2006.

Past Projects

2000-09-24T07:49:00.011+08:00