Design Probes

Collection of 3 probes for Visions Of The Future Exhibition.

2020
6 Weeks
Solo Project
Visions of the Future is a curated showcase of seven designs by emerging Singaporean designers. Each design has been hand-selected for its visionary approach to current issues, with key focuses of the showcase looking at the improvement of health and well-being, designing for multi-generational living, sustainable processes, new materials and safety through design.
I designed a collection of 3 probes for the showcase focusing on safety and hygiene.
Soap Tattoos
Soap and water are highly effective in eliminating coronavirus. Encouraging children to wash their hands can however be a challenge for parents as the concept of hand washing is ironically counter-intuitive. Soap tattoos are soap-coated stickers which children can apply on their hands prior to washing.
The surface of each sticker has a film of soap that hides a pleasant surprise. To unveil the secret beneath the facade, children are motivated to wash the soap film off, and in that process, they clean their hands. Different themes, e.g. animals and planets, are used to appeal to children with different interests.
Odour Ring
People on average touch their faces an astonishing 23 times an hour. However, it is essential to avoid touching our eyes, nose and mouth as it prevents the spread of viruses and germs. Odour ring leverages on our olfactory response to ‘nasty’ smell to keep our hands away from our faces. Twisting the ring open reveals 2 cores that are lightly saturated with ammonium sulfide. Now, as our hands unconsciously inch close towards our faces, we are greeted by an odour which instinctively nudges us to keep clear; it is our natural response to shy away from unpleasant smell.
Echo
Rather than panic, most deaths in building fires are a result of hesitation; people often dismiss emergency messages as false alarms. Echo is a modular alarm and way finding system which facilitates safer, more effective evacuation of buildings in an emergency. Acting as a secondary warning, Echo is manually activated upon confirmation of danger. Its rapidly inflating red balloon threatens to pop, inciting tension and discomfort which triggers occupants to evacuate promptly.
Echo can also be fitted along corridors to facilitate path finding by blocking and redirecting people away from escape routes that are either overcrowded or lost to fire. In these situations, Echo is activated by temperature and proximity sensors instead.
Special Thanks
DesignSingapore Council
Forrest & Whale - Wendy & Gustavo
Dju-Lian Ching Photography
Design Anthology

Team
Nacho Vilanova (Soap Tattoos)

Awards
Finalist
Global Grad Show COVID-19 Open Call, 2020
Bronze Award
Singapore Creator Awards, 2021
Finalist
Stanford Design Challenge, 2021
Exhibition
↑Back to Top