David Chua’s Post

Design can help us solve everyday problems – including relieving itchiness! Industrial design graduate Bei Ning Koh was exasperated by chronic eczema. Creams were not the answer to her discomfort, being slow to take effect and conspicuous to use in public. Nor was scratching, which can create wounds.   She decided to design a new solution during her final year of studies in the National University of Singapore’s Division of Industrial Design. Her design breakthrough came when she focused on something seemingly obvious: using the gesture of scratching but modifying the action for safety. Rollo is a small, studded roller ball that gently applies pressure to the skin as an itch-relief measure. It is discreet enough to fit in the palm of the hand and intuitive to use with a natural scratch-like gesture – without the scratches.   With international recognition for her design, as well as high demand for the manufactured product, Bei Ning is grateful for some sage advice from her thesis supervisor, Senior Lecturer Donn Koh – Co-founder of STUCK DESIGN. “He told me not to be afraid of having bad ideas or stupid ideas, because hidden amongst bad ideas are gems that most people who are only looking for good ideas will not find,” recalls Bei Ning. Rollo is evidence of that!   –    Organised by the DesignSingapore Council, People of Design celebrates the everyday visionaries who are delivering extraordinary impact through design. These innovators defy the stereotype that design is only for designers or that it is merely about aesthetics – it is a tool for positive change that is accessible to everyone. Know someone who’s making a difference through design? Nominate them at https://lnkd.in/g_FVhH-P for a chance to be featured.   #DesignSingaporeCouncil #PeopleOfDesign

Building kindness into design practice 27th April- International Design Day is an opportunity to recognize the value of design and its capacity to effect change. Check this article https://lnkd.in/eQBnpap3.

Really humbled (and honestly having a little happy dance here!) to learn that we've been featured in Design Council's newly published Systemic Design Framework! It asks both designers and non-designers to radically reimagine and create new ways of living, so it's a huge honour to see BEEN London as an example of 'doing it well'. Apart from us being featured, it's a fantastic read for anyone interested in design, the future of making, systemic change and applying design to solve the biggest challenges we face. https://lnkd.in/dyWkSZDj

▶▶▶ The latest DeMagSign.io issue features an article that dives into Singapore’s cutting-edge design landscape. Explore the vibrant world of design in Southeast Asia with insights from Giorgia Lombardo, who reflects on her journey through Singapore’s innovative and sustainable design practices. From cultural nuances to groundbreaking trends, this article offers a closer look at how Singapore continues to shape the global design conversation. Discover how their focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and experimentation sets a standard for design excellence worldwide. ▶▶▶ Swipe right and read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/d2vmP73k #DesignInsights #SustainableDesign #GlobalCreativity #DesignInnovation #SingaporeDesign

Coming from human-centered design research, I found this read on the shift from design thinking to community-powered design intriguing. In my opinion, community-powered design emphasizes the democratizing value of product and service design coming from human-centered design even more. At Aalto University the project of the Aalto test site by the Aalto CS major program is a great example of community-empowered innovation structures. Throughout the year, the university community works hand in hand and slowly builds up a place of co-creation with all kinds of community-oriented innovations. For example, an A-frame community home, an outdoor kitchen, or an own biogas plant. Do they produce big scale-up products like a start-up? No. They develop what adds meaning and value to their life and experiences. When we manage to scale up the community-driven builder and maker structures, humans can become more empowered and less dependent on capitalist products and services. From my point of view, community-powered structures can lead to a more socially sustainable and equal life because people are embedded in an embodied experience of support and meaning where they can experience self-efficiency. And these values come rare in a more and more automated world. Also, check out my article about the participatory citizen platform Water your Nieghborhood to improve tree healthiness in Berlin, Leipzig, and Magdeburg in Germany. The name is Gieß den Kiez in German: https://lnkd.in/gdw_faUa Life after Design Thinking: https://lnkd.in/gSZfTY9z #communityemporeddesign #humancentered #humanvalues #designthinking

The transition to a #CircularEconomy depends on sustainable material innovations that enable designers to make circular material choices without compromising on functionality or aesthetics. Designers also need to understand how to use these new materials and put them at the forefront of design to have a significant impact on reducing and reusing waste. By integrating these principles of #CircularDesign, we can make significant progress towards a sustainable future. ♻ We asked the experts Wenqing Yang from Tongji University, designer Chris Lefteri, MA (RCA) and our own Roy Cheung for their insights during #DesignShanghai. Here's what they said. 👇

Our very own Vice President and CSO, Olga Czerwińska, PhD, will be a panelist at the upcoming conference "Designing innovations towards a sustainable future" organized by Urząd Patentowy Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. This event will focus on innovation and creativity in the economy, bringing together leaders and experts to discuss the latest trends and advancements towards a sustainable future. Join this conference and don't miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights about the future of innovation. #Innovation #SYGNIS #Technology

Does this factor in your design creation and how impactful does it have in a design?