TO watch by Issey Miyake

it's been a while

Larger than life.

Milan fair 2017 just ended and it's really mind-blowing.

I hope to visit there soon.

Spotlight

I need this.

RRP is $129.

I need it.

2017

Happy new year! It's 2017! Definitely positive in this coming year.

First of all, I signed up for

Yeah sleep can wait right. I am insane to sign up for the full marathon, 42.195KM,

 Anyway, I am 12 weeks out when I signed up, so I need to start preparing now! I am quite positive about it but I need to keep running for the next 12 weeks till race day.

Right now, I think I have a excuse reason to buy a fitness tracker, and the one on my list is

Dam, definitely have more motivation to go out to run. As you know I am a big fan of everything Nike, and recently admired Nike campaign about breaking2. This can instantly make me be part of Nike+ Running Club! That's cool to look forward to. The thing is, it is $588. Well, will need some time to save that up.

Welcome 2017!

- an update -

I injured my ankle and abductor hullucis when I ran for 2 days straight. Didn't know the stress of the feet could be so great. My friend, zz, will run for me in this up and coming race.

KITH x adidas Consortium UltraBOOST Mid "Aspen"

This is one dope silhouette! Adidas is killing it man.

Dear Santa

thank you for a great year. I've been good this year. These are my wishes for Christmas (:

1. B&O Beoplay H9 

Beoplay newest offering in their department. If you are looking at the difference between H7 and H9, the latter comes with Active noise cancellation (ANC). This is my dream over ear headphone right now. Sleek, stylish in an aluminium & leather body combination make me jizzed. My favorite Audio brand thus far.   

2. Audioengine A2+

As I had set up my new workspace, speakers is the last piece of puzzle. Although they are bookshelf speakers with no significant bass, the glossy snow white finishing take me down. Bose companion 5 come next in mind, but that is like almost twice the price tag. 

3. & 4. in the last 2 posts ;D


Basically all these are just wants(material goods) so I guess I can make do with less, cause less is more right.

In anyway, what I do need is good health and well-being of my closest family and friends. If you are reading, hope things will be well. ;)

 Less than a week to Christmas!

Canon G7X Mark II

I got my bull-eye on you.

So much poison around. Based on my research, this is by far the most value for money vlogging camera I/you can buy. I can be shooting everything on this, love the higher contrast based on review, and the optical image stabilization is amazing.  The downside is there are no hotshoe and audio plug for external mic.

Poison is real. About $800 with all other accessories.

Dyson V8 Fluffy or Motorhead or Absolute

So Dyson just launched this V8 engine this year, and it's on my radar. I look around and there are no comparison of both of them in SG, except their website HERE.

Well so, basically, Fluffy is the one with the Soft roller package where it is great for the hard floors, so if ya living in the flat/house where you 99% of your house is hard flooring, this is the one.

Motorhead roller is the one above you see, this is the one with the brushes where it is good for carpets. If your house is covered in carpet, that's the one to go for.

Absolute is Absolute Vodka.. Nahhh kidding, haha, it is the you-got-em-all package. So if your house have got hard flooring and carpets, this is the one you got to break the bank.

Well, I might just buy Fluffy soon. DAM! 

ps. thank to my friend who are looking at my blog! Appreciated! You know who ya are ;D

Designed by Apple in California

The first I can relate to is, I look forward to the parody!

Joke aside, I think it is beautifully made, which speaks Apple quintessentially apple. It's a great archive to look back at the iconic runway of products designed by Apple.

The thing that is stopping me is, it is US$199, for book Mini, and US$299 for book Pro.

Surface Studio

Beautiful

TMD Seoul Sneaker Store Guide

Just back from Seoul, South Korea, it was a DAEBAK trip and experience!

Since we walked into almost all sneaker stores in Seoul tourist hotspot when we chanced upon one, I would like to compile them for archive and hopefully help you in shopping your sneaker(s) in Seoul.

This is to anyone, and these are based on my personal experience.
If you chanced upon better sneakers store, good for you man!

Brand store

1. Nike Myeong Dong / Nike Gangnam / Nike Dong Dae Mun 

Nike Myeong Dong

http://www.korea.net/

Wooden exterior entrance, it's on the main street so you can hardly miss it.
Head up to level 3 for tech pack stuffs. Lv 1- Women Lv 2- Men Lv3 -Lifestyle
They have sock darts, roshe 2, roshe flyknit there. (Oct 2016)

Nike Gangnam

Taken my my iPhone 6. Front door at Gangnam main street.

Biggest flagship store of Seoul (as what I've seen)
Head to basement 1 for the common release of all nike flyknit, nike airmax, nike sockdart, jordans.
I entered from the back, walking from Gangnam station exit 12, which look like >

Taken by iPhone 6. This is the 3rd level, back door.

Nike DDM

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SHP/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=1331218

Seems like they are another authorized seller, sneakers that are not similar in flagship store. (oh, i went to look it up, it's called Capo Sports Nike)
Saw a B/W Nike air presto on discount but damn, didn't hoot it.
Just beside the awesome Dong Dae Mun Design Plaza (DDP)

2. Adidas Flagship - Myeong Dong A and B / Adidas Apujeong

Adidas Myeong Dong

It's located at the main street that you will not miss.Head straight up to level 4 for adidas originals. Take the lift in the back. Nothing exclusive though. Don't have your hopes too high.

Adidas originals flagship store.

Totally own the sneaker zone in Myeong Dong. Buy your NMD here!! So did I. I didn't took any photos to show you guys, and I can't seem to find a decent photo but it is just opposite SPAO in Myeong dong street!!

Adidas Originals Apujeong

Screenshot from Google Maps

Chanced it accidentally while walking to Garousil. They had the Adidas x HU (Pharrell collab) ON DISPLAY. The store guy strongly said display are not for sale. dam it.

Shoe Retailer

3. Folder Myeong Dong

Taken by my iPhone 6. Folder in Myeong Dong

Folder is pretty big, with many wide varieties. The most faansicating brand I found was the alpha industries bomber jacket! If you like korean street brand, you are pretty sure to find some of them here, like STEREO (which is so dope).

4. ABC Mart

Taken by my iPhone 6. 

You can almost spot them everywhere, like in Myeong Dong, Gangnam and most shopping center basement like Doota mall in DDM. The above photo was taken at the COEX mall, this is the grand stage, and the other one opposite was sports. It is more of a lifestyle vs. sports category.

5. Les More

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SHP/SH_EN_7_2.jsp?cid=1327512

They are like ABC Mart(imo), but have quite afew selected area. Myeong Dong have one. The mall right outside of Hapjeong station (exit 9/10) have one(where our airbnb stay was at)too.

6. Foot Locker

https://www.flickr.com/photos/crappycamera/8124259142

I've got high hopes that I will find some exclusive sneakers but they seems like it is quite a standard issue sneakers list. Perhaps I didn't look hard enough. There is one at Myeong Dong along the main street and another in a level 4 mall at Myeong Dong too.

7. Kasina

http://www.urbantainer.com/

They have got the dopest sneakers collections there. Saw adidas ultraboost uncaged, Adidas tubular Doom, Viral, etc. They even had yeezys in display boxes. Of course, its' not for sale. It is just right beside Nike SNKRS in Hongdae.

8. Sneak Soul

https://www.instagram.com/p/4lb5b5HaG1/?taken-by=sneaksoulkorea

Just a shout out cause they have pro-keds, diadora, timberlands and admiral sneakers to mention. You can found them in COEX mall or Commongrounds.

Special mention

Nike SNKRS Hongdae

http://www.spnpartner.co.kr/new-page-2/

This deserve a special mention. I didn't went in but it's cool as hell. Damn it, I should have went into it! Well, if you passed by, make sure to go in! FML.

SNKRS in Hongdae
78, Wausan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul / 2016

Paju Premium Outlet

Taken by my iPhone 6

There is a pretty dope Nike Factory Outlet and a just average Adidas Premium outlet there. Take bus 2200 from Hapjeong station(exit 8) which took about 1 hr bus ride to there.



Boon the shop Men

Taken from my iPhone 6.

It's a separate building right round the corner from the flagship building, boontheshop. Designer labels and high fashion. Saw an Yeezy crepe boots in there. It's 3 storey, with a basement. If you are a high-roller, you will definitely get the best service.


That's it guys, have fun snkrs hunting in Seoul!

Prouvé Standard Chair

Jean Prouvé Standard Chair

Chairs take the most stress on their back legs, where they bear the weight of the user's upper body. The engineer, architect and designer Jean Prouvé incorporated this simple insight in his design for the Standard Chair: while steel tubing suffices for the front legs, since they are subject to less stress, the back legs are made of voluminous hollow sections that transfer the primary weight to the floor.

This is my current obsession about this furniture piece by Jean Prouvé. At  first glance, it may seems like a normal chair design. If you go in depth, you will find brilliance in its design, and provided it was designed in 1930.

The above design story already state its meaning, there is no argument about it.

This is the true essence of minimal, and that, is the beauty.

Hope to one day enter my AMOD (alden museum of design)

Available from Vitra at USD$995.

GoPro Karma

Really excited about the possibility of GoPro Drone System named Karma.

I believe there will be more people jumping on the bandwagon, even me. 

I watched the keynote, Nick Woodman is definitely passionate, how his vision leads the company to. It was inspiring. 

Basically, back to Karma, it is everything in a bagpack. There is :

1. The GoPro Hero 5 Black
2. Gimbal system
3. Krama Drone
4. Independent Handheld remote control
5. detachable handle
6. Charger
7. Bagpack

 So much all for $1099USD. 

I think this is the best for combination for outdoor and travel recording.

It's a great step up from the GoPro 4, with the right and rational evolution. This is truly their best GoPro. Btw, it is designed by Huge Design.  

The future of Unmanned Vehicle is edging closer.

I wonder what DJI are going to come out with(keynote on this 27th Sep). Equally excited.  

airpods - first thoughts

Let's talk about apple ear  airpods today.

On first impression, it look like an effortless spin off of apple to push the wireless earbuds out.

If you look into details based on renderings/photos, it is impressive on the design front.

case

1. the most overlook object is the case. I wonder if there are Marc Newson's touch on the pod case.
2. Second, the case i guess, inspired by and look like a candy box for the most intuitive user experience.
3. There is only 1 button on the back. 
4. The internal part of the 3D is hard to build, because I build an earphone case before, it is insanity.
5. Rounded because there are no sharp edges, and easy to slip into pocket and bag.

airpods

1. There is no physical button. Just tap on the surface.
2. Same old design, but if you look closer at the chrome charging tip cross section. It is now rounded as compared to current oval profile. Just some design details.
3. Maintain the same snow white language. 
4. you don't need a manual to start (duh of course, it's apple)

Singapore retails for S$238.  

design disruptors film review and lesson

I've been waiting for it for about a year. Finally, I caught this over last weekend with my UX colleagues, thankfully for the free tickets offered by General assembly. Kudos!

These are the lessons i picked up.

1. Industrial Design vs. Product Design

The name is clear as day now. Product Design refers to app+IU+software+all things happening on screen interacting with users. I used to have a confusion on what is my specialization exactly is. Now i know.

2. A product is always an unfinished product.

What I learnt is that a product launch doesn't mean a completed product. What's great about a software product is that there is always feedback. For a physical product, it is unmatched in terms of getting opinions over the cloud. It was just amazing. You can always refine and refine to make it as perfect as possible or you can create a 2.0 product. This point alone blow my mind how future-forward this is compared to a physical product.

3. Design is here to stay.
Well designers might be overhyped, but I believe designers are part of the decision makers happening right now and in the future. Designers is an influence and a strong voice.

Anyway, thanks Victor, my colleague, for the short discussion after review to bring forth the learning points.


Overall, there is much interviews and thoughts about the future of design by famed tech companies designers, ranging from facebook Julie Zhuo, pinterest founder, twitter Head of Design, spotify (ex) product lead, Tobias and much more. Shall not give you too much spoiler.

Runtime: 70mins
Rating:  。。。。. 

Worth to Watch(WTW): Yay

design film festival 2016

I am looking forward to this year design film festival, Mainly these 2.

WE ARE X

Yohji Yamamoto | Dressmaker

Design Flyer | Website

Produced by anonymous.

B-Mag / Yoshida & Company

Read B-Mag today. Will do a review soon.

Happy CNY

Happy chinese new year! It is the Year of the Horse!

Been a while but i will keep up the tempo.

Today I am going to discuss about 3D printer.
I am thinking of buying one and putting in my home to print little things that is useful.
2 that I think is ideal are

1) Prusa i3 (Aluminium Model)

We use the Prusa Mendel i2 at work, and i am getting the hang of it.  Therefore I am more familiar with the Prusa line of open source 3D printer. If I were to get this, I will built it myself from scratch with reference from BOM and instruction manual found online. Building it myself will let me understand every aspects, the bolts and nuts, and inside out of this machine. Only thing that it is troublesome to source the parts all over website.

2) Buccaneer 3D Printer

I really like the smooth integration and package to it. Probably one of the most affordable printer, it feels like an AIO in the 3D printing arena now. Apart from the convenience, the design is pretty sleek to be put into home. It will come package ready and to be use out of the box. Downside is, i will not understand all aspects of parts in compare to building it myself.

Overall, I think the Prusa is like the Desktop PC and the Buccaneer is like an AIO. Seems like i know which one to go for. 

Tech Trends in 2014

Above: my new personal portfolio work(coming soon..)

Okay, so today I have a little bit time to blog about things. I thought for awhile and decided the road map for my blog would be focusing on anything relating to Industrial design / Product Design, especially in Singapore design scene. Do not know how long I can sustain but well, see how it goes.

Would like to talk about more about tech trends, as we all know, being in this industry need us to be always keep up to news. As you go deeper, you will soon start to observe. So here're what I think will be trending this year, 2014.

1. 3D Printing is exploding.

Above: Pirate3D buccaneer
Pirate 3D, this Singapore-based start up begin its global awareness when they pitch through kickstarter. I think they have an extremely great potential, and the ID is definitely well-done, in a package.  I think 3D printing will be expanding and spreading to every homes and offices this year. Right now, majority haven't discover the true power of it. It feels something like back in 1985 when the home PC is just beginning to gather the consumer attention.


2. Wearables is still at its early stage but coming.

Above: Razer Nabu

In just this CES 2014, almost every big player in the tech market push out their Smart band. One wearable i think stand out is the Razer Nabu, which I respect Razer to be daring and try out in this new market. Their brand identity is so strong, it will be remembered by any boys that touch the PC. I think this year is a year of try and error and see which wearables will be the best suited for consumer. I think wearable is just at the fore front but what will happen in the next 5-10years? We will all be wearing some kind of tech on us. Intel just annouce Intel Edison at CES, and i definitely feel that it will be a game-changer. Gonna keep an eye on them.

3. Drones to begin consideration entering our airspace.

Above: Amazon Drone
Absolutely one of my most lovable retail go-to, been reading up the everything Store and I think Jeff Bezos truly a Sir. Always thinking about better solution and new ideas. I don't think it will be major this year but will sure create a buzz. I think this is truly the beginning of the dream futuristic future of air travel like 'Back to the Future II'. Amazon is spearheading Drone delivery and the big fish are going to follow. Although there is still a lot to overcome, this is just the first step. I think Drone will be super big in the future.


4. Its all about UX 

Above: Pebble Smartwatch
User Experience is, now, and it will get bigger and bigger. I wonder what do we design in the future. I think it is more than just industrial design now. We got to go above and beyond and enhance the whole user interaction and experience of a user, with software and hardware working as one. More smart products hence derived out of UX. Smart become Smarter. Pebble is one of the greatest example that it is so successful.


So that my thoughts. It is going to be an exciting year!

YEAR OF SELF CONDITION

So I have created a new blog for the new year as always.

Stumble upon all my old blogs and had a good read. I wonder how long can i maintain this year. Haha
Anyway, I always set a number of resolutions to complete and as for this year, they are:

1) To create my own product / brand
well, it hanging in my mind for quite a while now, I need to really push it through.

2) Focus Design / Portfolio building / Red-Dot
As a basic designer, I need to always come out new stuffs. I'm definitely going for red dot again this year.

3) Workout and aim: 68kg / IPPT Gold
I am at my heavyweight now, 75kg. Damn it. And yes, ippt gold and $400

4) Attain Class 2A License
400CC here i comes. But then I am looking at cheap vintage cafe racer.

5) Do something I've always wanted to.
Well, YOLO, i haven't thought about it but I want to do something thrilling.

6) To go Japan. 
Land of the rising sun. Creativity and ! . Wanted to step into and explore Japan.


That about it. I am trying to maintain the top3 and focus on it.
Blogger landscape had changed alot over the past few years and now, definitely better and integrated.