B.S. in Industrial Design
As a designer, a fulfilling career would be one in which I am allowed the freedom to solve unique problems, hopefully in sustainable ways, rather than simply mass producing redesigned forms of common objects. I have an entrepreneurial mind, yet I am leaning towards pursuing licensing ideas to established companies, as an inventor, with the freedom to continue thinking of new innovations in different markets. Given this potential career plan, much of my favorite work is not public at this time. Working at a design studio would be fun for a time, but ultimately I want freedom. When I’m not brainstorming my next idea, I can be found out in nature, hosting friends, making playlists, working on the house, riding 2 wheels around town, gardening, cooking, learning about science, learning about homesteading, traveling and picking up any new hobbies I can.
OTO 3D
All it takes to see 3-dimensionally is two adjacent video feeds (normally our eyes), and a software to stitch it all together and make sense of it (our brains). In this case, technology will take the place of our eyes. OTO 3D is a consumer electronic that allows family members and friends with the same smart phone (same camera) to capture 3D video to watch in a VR headset like Google cardboard. His ears and antenna are removable steel sticker plates that secure on the backs of smart phones. His nose is a 90 degree jig that aligns a pair of phones vertically, side by side, ready to capture left/right footage like our eyes. His eyes are strong magnets that tightly hold the pair of phones in place (via his steel sticker ears) with no risk to internal components. His arms are mini charging cables that give power to the pair of phones, and directly connect them for video-stitching. His tuxedo-inspired torso consists of a power/record button (white bowtie) and three battery indicator lights (tuxedo buttons). His shoes are a charging dock for the body. He will come with a sticker pack that allows kids to customize his eyes, mouth, facial hair, clothes, gender, etc. When recording and video stitching is complete, place either phone sideways in a headset viewer to watch recorded content in 3D.
ONYX Chef Knife
This project combines my passion for motorized bikes and cooking.
At the time, I was a manager at the electric bike start up ONYX Motorbikes whose bikes were inspired by vintage mopeds. Their sleek and powerful e-bike cut through traffic like it was a chef knife. I sketched and analyzed the materials and design elements from their flagship bike model, the RCR, to then craft a culinary knife worthy of the brand.
Wabi Sabi Wave Machine
This novelty project is a space/philosophy themed machine inspired by the balance of opposites.
The front of the main body is a black hole with two inversely related spiral wheels that rotate in opposite directions when the handle is turned. Shooting out from the center of the black hole (the darkest thing in the universe) is a quasar (the brightest thing in the universe).
On the back side, the internal mechanism is revealed to be a scotch-yoke, which uses a wheel (laser-etched with the solar system) and a peg (in the earth slot), to rotate and slide in a horizontal slot that causes the T to rise and fall in straight motions.
Connected to the vertical motion is an array of interconnected see-saw mechanisms on bearing plates that ripple like waves up and down while everything moves collectively. This array can be expanded in square or hexagonal patterns to extend the effect of rippling waves.
The therapeutic metaphor here is that there will always be a balance of opposites in the universe. Everything moves in waves. Good/Bad, Light/Dark, Happy/Sad, Life/Death. It’s important to remember that good follows bad and bad follows good. In other words, just ride the waves. Fear no trough, and waste no crest, for the other is surely on its way. Stay in the moment and keep turning the wheel of time with a peaceful smile of acceptance.
“Wabi Sabi” is a Japanese word that recognizes the beauty in imperfect things, and peacefully accepts the balance in the universe.
I would hope an owner of this machine would rotate it in good times and bad, to remember to make the most of their life.