Text from Fabiano :
There are over 25 million legally registered vehicles on the UK’s roads today. Car manufacturers supply the basic tools that are required to perform the task of changing a wheel with every new car; these tools should be sufficient to complete the task successfully but is this really the case? Research suggests that people are reluctant to perform this task themselves.
Flat Tyres were the AA’s 3rd highest reason for call-out in 2005, beaten only by flat or faulty batteries and Lost keys.

Several user centered analyses were performed with volunteers who matched our key user profiles most closely. Existing products available for purchase were used. Many problems were highlighted in particular:
•  Safety, low posture is often required, particularly in removing wheel studs and jacking the car. If the flat is on the drivers sided, the task must be performed in the road as traffic passes. This posture hides the user from passing traffic and also makes it hard for the user to see the traffic approaching. This problem is increased at night.
•  Visibility of tools is poor at night. Existing tools tend to be black or grey in colour.
•  Clear instructions required, particularly for those who have never performed the task before. They serve to increase the users confidence in completing the task successfully and safely.
•  Psychological issues were also a key factor, many users remarked that they fear of failure would likely prevent them even attempting the task.

In every case we found that it was not possible to complete the task using the tools provided by the car manufacturer, a telescopic wrench was needed to increase the torque applied to the wheel studs.

The design concept behind the product changes the paradigm of how the most problematic task of changing a flat tyre is performed. The product minimizes the steps of changing a flat tyre by undoing the 4 studs of a wheel instead of undoing individually, using the motion force of the car.

• Utilizes the weight and motion of the car to release the 4studs, reducing required effort
• Does not rely on physical strength of user
• Improves road safety in reducing time spent in path of traffic

CONCLUSION

The final developed product is an innovative solution to the problems witnessed when changing a wheel. By loosening all four studs simultaneously, using the forces generated by the turning of the car wheel, the task becomes less demanding for the user while also reducing the time taken.

Designer : Fabiano Pottes

This electrically powered futuristic concept vehicle houses two passengers and includes four motors, one for each wheel, which will let the wheels to swivel on its center by inverse rotation. These motors are located inside every wheel and the wheel rims are designed to act like a propeller to keep the system cool. Besides, another motor exists in the center pivot that provides the required power to change the appearance of the car, like opening the trunk door or modifying the seat arrangements.

The dimension of this car is 1.75 x 1.75 meters approx. when it is in compact mode. By using a geometry stimulated from the ‘bioarchitecture’ of a moving cat, this hybrid formed car changes its attitude with his postures.

Designer : David Vega

The designer has considered few constrains when designing the violin, such as, a half violin and half music player that would break down the notes of a tune and show how to play it. A ball using as a bow grip that will always give a perpendicular stoke to the user and a lighting fingerboard that will indicate a node for a particular whistle sound. Digital strings have replaced the ordinary strings that are able to considerably reduce the learning pain and the sting setup has been done in a way that can create surround sound experience. Marks are no longer in use when a violinist gets proficient; therefore, the fading marks are another noticeable feature of the design.

The name Squidolin was driven from the squid like shape with the functionally and aesthetically right proportions of the design development. The shape of the bow of Squidolin is newly designed and is smart enough to detect motions and communicate back accordingly.

Giving the idea into shape was the toughest part. The designer used the mirror modeling to get a great symmetrical shape and then moved into Solid-works to CAD for milling. The interface of Squidolin is an essential part of the design and can be represented in different ways. When learning, students might come across synesthetic relationship screen which represents the reaction of virtual objects to sound in real world situations. Organic timing or tempo can be learned from real-world experiences like water drops in steady water surface. Monkey-Do will teach the violinist the correct posture and Squidolin could be connected to the social networks via internet where violinist could perform or share his/her musical talent.

Designer : Carlos Mendez

When you look beyond Vestalife’s products, competitive iPod speaker docks are driven by function and lacking in character and emotional appeal. The Firefly’s organic, flowing lines and evolved geometric shapes give it a unique attitude and personality. When closed, the Firefly design uses negative space to dissect its overall shape into three distinct sections. The bold breaks and gaps give the design a layered look and hint at the promise of kinetic transformation as the system is opened.

Vestalife Firefly

The metal rings on the base, front, and rear of the Firefly add a refined, sophisticated feel. Angled, hidden hinges allow the Firefly speakers to open, not just to the sides, but also moving slightly forward, in a welcoming and embracing posture. In front of the iPod dock, there’s a subtly-curved, touch-sensitive volume control. With the speakers open, a “billboard” area is revealed on the center face of the Firefly. The Firefly will come with interchangeable faceplates to allow for personalization. Factory customized faceplates will also be featured in limited edition models of the Firefly.

For the Jewelbox, the RKS design team was inspired both by the velvety, rich textures used in the Ladybug and by the famed Fabergé eggs. A symbol of the height of luxury, Fabergé eggs are known for their artistry, rich detail, and for the promise of a hidden surprise. In this case, the hidden magic is the opening of the Jewelbox to reveal the speakers and the iPod dock. The touch-sensitive power and volume controls give the Jewelbox a friendly smile whether opened or closed. The speakers are designed to accommodate factory-changeable graphics for special edition models.

Both the Firefly and Jewelbox were created to bring distinctive design and style to your music listening experience. “RKS is thrilled to be working with Vestalife, a company that truly understands the value and power of emotion to connect with consumers and build brands,” said Tom White, RKS Executive Vice President. “We look forward to working with Vestalife in the coming years.”

Designer : RKS Design for Vestalife

Designer : Alex Padwa, David Altit, and Daniel Leibovics

Kawaii is a three wheeled concept car for daily use. It means ‘cute’ in Japanese. The name Kawaii comes from the over all-cute and smooth look of the vehicle. The intent of this design is to create a fully functional minimalist, expressive, and stylish concept vehicle. It is specifically designed for people who enjoy pursuing fun and elegant ride. The transparent roofing helps to highlight the overall body form and creates a post-contemporary feeling. It also helps to carry the reflection of the environment wherever it goes. It contains an ergonomically designed two-passenger seat, which offers comfortable and relaxing riding posture. The parts and fittings can be customized based on the riders favorite selection.

Designer : Seyhan Sitti

Designer explanation :

This customizable foam furniture is a simple concept using a wedge as a means of creating custom positions to promote creativity in office space.

The foam shapes can be arranged in a number of ways to giving a range of positions that allow a rest from the normal seated posture, creating a space to think, talk, rest, create, eat, meet…or just have a cup of tea while you unwind for a few minutes.

Designer : Brightside Design

Designer : Cheng Feng Peng

From the designer :

This project started for me in the broad category of personal transportation. Having seen numerous recreational products win previous design competitions, I resolved to develop a product that would not only be ecologically friendly but also offer health benefits to travelers. After some strong consideration it occurred to me that the large majority of unhealthy, polluters in our society were the millions of people sitting in their cars going to and from work every day. Perhaps many of them would like to commute via man-powered vehicle but simply haven’t found the right solution. I immediately set out to try and found what problems people had with the existing products.

It began by keeping the product parameters in as general a terms as possible so as not to limit myself creatively. I then commenced with the researching of existing bicycle commuters to try and understand what they liked and disliked about it. From there I went on to conduct some local surveying of non-bikers. In doing this I learned of several key problems that could be solved through better design. These concerns included lack of storage capacity, poor positioning, and size and bulk of the conveyance. I feel that after hundreds of hours of thought and months of hard work that my proposed solution resolves these issues

I began my design by solving the problem of user posturing. In traditional bike designs the rider’s feet are underneath them causing their torso to hunch forward in order to reach the handles. This results in unnecessary strain on the lower back, arms, and buttocks, not to mention poor aerodynamics. As illustrated I resolved these issues by moving the position of the pedals behind the rider and moving some of the pressure of their body weight onto the front of the hip bones, using a broad front section of the seat and onto their forearms with supports protruding from the handles. The new riding position helped solve the storage problem by freeing up plenty of useable space beneath the rider. In this newly acquired gap I decided to suspend a large bag for cargo. And as for the storage of the bicycle, after the destination has been reached and the cargo contained within the bag has been removed, it can be expanded and the bike can be folded and placed inside.

By trying to promote bicycle commuting this product not only benefits the user by making them happier and healthier but also society as a whole by reducing the amount of automotive emissions.

Designer : Blair Hasty

Perch is the result of a two year research MA in Industrial Design with the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, Ireland by Simon Dennehy. The results show that it is impractical to design a chair for primary school students, without considering the desk as an item of equal importance. The main objective of the project is to encourage students to sit and work in a much higher position.

The seat and backrest benefit from ventilated slots throughout. This reduces weight, increases user comfort and creates a visually stimulating aesthetic for the students of today. The chair’s simple yet effective height mechanism prevents accidental release and requires the student to stand to adjust the height. The chair’s legs protrude from back, while incorporating a footrest. This allows the student complete freedom of leg movement. The front wings at either side of the seat are completely flexible. This patented design prevents build up of pressure under the student’s legs, while the resistive feedback encourage the students to continually move their legs playfully, increasing blood flow and muscle use.

The desk profile incorporates an elbow rest, where students can perch themselves during task work. This decreases load on their mid-sections. The profile, from co-extruded hollow-section polycarbonate, incorporates a soft rubberised working surface (in orange). This provides a warm tactile surface that can resist abuse, prevent books from slipping, and can be easily cleaned. A storage trough, at the rear of the desk, includes a book ledge for when students are copying from text books. An accessories tray hooks onto the desk edge and is replaceable with a Lego base, or arts and crafts palette. This “hot-swap” system is developable, and makes task change-over much faster, and tidier.

Schools furniture among the majority of schools, internationally, is severely damaging to students’ health and, as a direct result, they can expect to develop serious disorders and illnesses in later life. The research carried out shows conclusively that school children, in particular, sit inappropriately during their primary school years, as a result of the failings of the furniture’s design.

Schools are the offices for children. They spend a large amount of their youth attending both primary and secondary schools, and during that time, are likely to be sitting at a desk. A drastic change to the standards, which dictate measurements for furniture in schools, is required.

It is hoped that this project will encourage more researchers, designers and ergonomists to peruse the subject matter so that, in years to come, the quality and understanding of furniture requirements for students will radically improve, to the benefit of the students, teachers, education and health system.

Designer : Simon Dennehy