2017—2018
Squeezy Peasy
Squeezing is such a familiar gesture rooted in everyday life. In addition, there seems to be an inextricable relationship between squeezing and a sense of joy.
Driven by a fascination around this gesture, I was interested in imagining objects that could live in this world—objects which could seemingly come to life through the act of squeezing.
Awarded:
Wallpaper* Handmade Next Generation Singapore Designer 2018
Background
The proliferation of smart objects and devices in our homes today has reduced our interactions and experiences with objects simply to a surface. Nowadays, our hands curve around metal and plastic while our fingertips tap against flat glass screens.
I decided to focus on the gesture of squeezing as a potential soft tactile experience to be designed around. The act of squeezing is a familiar and instinctive gesture psychologically rooted within us, yet seemed to be relatively undertapped as a product interaction.
Intrigued by the sense of innate joy that naturally comes from squeezing, I wondered if I could recreate that experience through everyday objects.
Product mapping
Mapping out existing products that are linked to the gesture and experience of squeezing, I found that they could largely be divided into two categories.
I wondered if I could explore the intersection between the two, striving for objects which could have a sense of “pleasurable functionality”. The design outcome should ultimately invite interaction and user experience without undermining its original functionality.
Ideation
Through the rounds of ideation, several ideas which I felt were interesting, surprising and worth further development were shortlisted.
Two ideas were eventually selected to showcase the final design direction due to the technical feasibility and interest shown by users.
Prototyping
Prototyping of internal components and electronics (e.g. sensors, Arduino microcontroller) were also done to further develop the interactions of the objects.
A squeezable lamp and speaker
- Squeezy Lamp:
-
Squeezy Speaker:
Exhibition and showcase
Following an open call by Wallpaper* for all young Singaporean designers to submit their ideas along the theme of “Wellness + Wonder”, I was honored to be selected to showcase the project at the 2018 Handmade exhibition held in Milan and Singapore.
