We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer about their original and creative design work. is an award-winning creative designer, that makes our world a better place with their original works.
("") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work . Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
: Play mat is one of the essential item for baby, infant and toddler. However when baby grows up to a kid, it becomes unnecessary. Therefore, my design idea is to extend its product life to be able to transform the play mat to a secondary functional product, "Rocking Horse". Even though if the user grows up to be a teenager or an adult, it can still be a home decoration with the simple and nice design. In other words, I hope a longer product life could help the world with less abandoned products.
: Safety, function, materials
: The design is ready to launch in this year; "2014". I am planning to continue to design a series of ridable characters. The idea of turning the play mat to other products is great, especially it is in valuable size. It might be turned into something else in the future other than just a ridable product.
: The project started in April 2013. It took almost a year to the final outcome.
: The design was commissioned. My friend Van Ho and Karl Ho came to me looking for some new product designs that made out of soft materials. This was because their family business is a PU foam manufacturing that seek for new product line.
: The design is being produced by Van Ho and Karl Ho's company.
: I am the only designer of the work.
: For safety reason, Pony Alex is targeting the customers between the age of 3 to 8.
: My friend as well as my team now, they called it Pony Alex because this is my first personal design in product; in the term of manufacturing.
: Pencil sketching for the concept and structure design for sure. Photoshop and illustrator for AW. Rhino for 3D rendering and Solidwork for engineering drawing. All the files were switched around between those softwares to complete the presentation.
: The rocking horse - "Pony Alex" can be assembled from the pieces of play mat. It does not require any hard plastic to hold the pieces, which is new in the market. The structure have been developed well that the joints of every piece can secure itself when weight-force applies on the seat. The heavier the rider is, the better structure will hold. It complies with ASTM F936-11 toy safety standards and passes the weight-loading test. Pony Alex is able to support the weight up to 150 lbs. on the seat.
: Yes, I worked with the technician who advised the suitable hardness of EVA foam.
: The project won the Best of the Fair at Hong Kong Toys and Baby Products Award in January 2014, in the category of Baby Toys & Activity. My team encourages me to submit my design to more competitions.
