Relevant Tools
Woodshop Fabrication Facilities, Fusion 360, 3D Print, Arduino
Designing the Absurd
My role
Programmer, Creative Designer
Free For View
Exhibiting at NYU Winter Show 2023
Est. 2023
What
I did?
Harnessing the concept of “absurd design,” I’ve embarked on a journey of innovation and creativity, designing physical extensions for cell phones, remotely controlled devices, and in-hotel design that blend absurd but user-friendly design, enhancing both my product fabrication skills and capacity for unique user experience creation.
Absurd yet reasonable
Why Designing Absurd?
Embracing the absurd in design is like opening a door to creativity. It pushes us beyond the familiar, enhancing our skills and revealing unexpected solutions. As Picasso once said, ‘Every act of creation is first an act of destruction.‘ This rings true in product design and human-computer interaction. By tearing down norms with absurd design, we rebuild stronger, crafting unique and engaging experiences that truly resonate with users
Absurd Hotel Design: Irui odoshi
Why DESIGn IRUI-ODOSHI ?
Combining the Japanese shishi odoshi with an Irui (clothes) hanger is, in fact, a design concept brimming with creativity and allure. Shishi odoshi itself symbolizes tranquility and calm. Integrating this element with a clothes hanger can evoke imaginations of order, neatness, and harmonious living space. Shishi odoshi is renowned for its dynamic and sound effects. Incorporating these elements into the hanger design enhances the interaction between user and item, transforming it from merely a practical object to an engaging experience.
This combination is a challenge to traditional home item design. By uniting elements that are unlikely to be paired together, it stimulates fresh thinking about design and function. Not only could this design be aesthetically pleasing, but it can also fulfill the basic function of a clothes hanger. This fusion of practicality and artistry makes the design both creatively rich and genuinely usable. In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, this cross-boundary design may be precisely the fresh experience that people are seeking.
How is Irui-odoshi made?
Initially, Irui-Odoshi was conceived as a piece for the Absurd Hotel, a blend of the Chindōgu philosophy and Muji-style minimalist design.
I chose to use wood for the overall design to achieve a fusion of Japanese aesthetic and simplicity. The wood was processed and glued together in the wood shop using cutting tools.
For all connecting parts, to ensure a perfect fit of the shapes and the application of wooden patches later on, I opted to use 3D-printed PLA material for the joints.
To enhance the overall stability and appearance, I utilized superior oak wood for its quality and weight in the base and connecting parts, while the rest was crafted from lighter-colored pine wood
Absurd Remote Controller: Sleep Supporter
An innovative device
new way to rest
solution to free hands while reading or scrolling through TikTok.
The Sleep Holder is a device that allows users to slide their smartphones up and down using a remote control. It can be fixed above any flat surface and is compatible with any type of touchscreen device. This is a piece that demonstrates an absurd idea through mundane design and technology. Often, people find ingenious ways to improve life in small aspects, and the selfie stick is a great example. The Sleep Holder, stemming from the dominance of large touchscreen devices in the market, perfectly illustrates how absurd concepts can help design human-centered solutions that keep pace with technological advancement.
What secrets does it hold?
Sleep-Holder is a device controlled by Arduino and operated remotely through IR remote control. Its core is formed by a 3D-printed linear actuator, equipped with conductive skin-like material, to achieve precise control over capacitive touchscreens. It comes with a large-capacity battery and a versatile mobile device holder, designed to adapt to various devices and usage durations.
Absurd Phone Extention: Phone Cup Holder
What
Is That?
The Mobile Extension Cup Holder is a novel solution that lets users attach their coffee to their mobile phone, promoting a more organized lifestyle for students and office workers. Faced with the daily chaos of juggling a phone and coffee while trying to access an ID, this device seamlessly combines the two, ensuring the coffee stays level and spill-free thanks to a gyroscope and motor. An elegant solution to a common problem, it represents a blend of convenience and innovation.
How
It Works?
In summary, this is a product controlled by Arduino, with an inbuilt gyroscope and motor to detect the angle of tilt and maintain balance. I first carried out a series of draft designs and conducted user voting to finalize the overall shape. Then, I utilized Fusion 360 for 3D modeling and printed the model using a 3D printer. I chose PLA for the material due to its sufficient hardness and user-friendly weight, reflecting my consideration for both durability and user experience.
— The product iteration