We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Lee Pik Shan about their original and creative Compass and Drawing Tool design work. Lee Pik Shan is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original compass and drawing tool works.
Lee Pik Shan ("LPS") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Exlicon Multi Shape Compass and Drawing Tool. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
LPS : The idea and inspiration behind my design is to create a product that functions more than just a traditional compass without damaging any materials in the process of creation. The idea was to create a versatile and human-centric product that is also inclusive.
LPS : Exlicon Multi Shape Drawing Tool was designed to offer a needle-free, versatile, and compact drawing tool that could draw intricate shapes precisely without damaging paper. We focused on providing better results for designers and artists by overcoming the limitations of traditional compasses and creating an easy-to-use, durable, and sustainable tool.
LPS : Some of the future plans for the design is to improve the tool and explore potential collaborators with industries that may benefit from our product. We are also considering on expanding our market reach and developing additional designs that could complement Exlicon's capabilities
LPS : The design and conceptualization of the product took six months, while another year was spent on developing the prototype, manufacturing, and finalizing the product.
LPS : The reason for designing the Exlicon Multi Shape Drawing Tool is to create an innovative and improved drawing tool that could overcome the limitations of traditional compasses. We were inspired to create a versatile needle-free tool compared to a traditional compass.
LPS : Our plan is to produce and sell our design by ourselves. Though, we are excited about the potential of our product and it has practical applications in various industries. We will focus on creating a high-quality and durable tool that provides an improved user experience for designers and artists. We are looking for distributors over the world, so feel free to contact us.
LPS : We were inspired to create a tool to be able to overcome the limitations of a traditional compass. We wanted to create a needle-free tool to draw precise and intricate shapes without damaging the drawing surface. We also aimed to design a compact, versatile, and user-friendly tool that could be used by a wide range of users in various industries.
LPS : I was mostly influenced by daily life activities such as the colors and shapes found in nature, the functionality of everyday objects, or the visual aesthetics of architecture and art. By observing and drawing from the world around me, I was able to create designs that are both beautiful and functional, and that resonate with their intended audience.
LPS : Our target customers are not limited to designers and artists since Exlicon has practical applications in various fields such as architecture, engineering, students and drawing beginners.
LPS : Our product is a needle-free drawing tool that can be used to draw various shapes, like circles, ellipses, and geometries with a golden ratio. It is a versatile, compact, and durable tool that offers improved user experience for designers and artists, with a unique design that sets it apart from traditional compasses and similar concepts.
LPS : The Exlicon Multi Shape Drawing Tool's magnetic wings that connect to the base were the inspiration behind its name.
LPS : The design team used 3D printing and CNC machining for prototyping, advanced fluid dynamics principles to ensure usability, and high-precision CNC machines for manufacturing to create Exlicon Multi Shape Drawing Tool. The final product was rigorously tested to ensure quality and performance standards were met.
LPS : The most unique aspect of the Exlicon Multi Shape drawing tool is its needle-free feature, which prevents damage to the drawing surface. Additionally, its precise and accurate drawing capabilities in over 50 dimensions of ellipses and over 100 different sizes of arcs, and its ability to draw various shapes, including geometries with a golden ratio, make it stand out from traditional compasses and similar concepts.
LPS : The Exlicon Multi Shape Drawing Tool was created solely by myself, without any collaboration. This approach allowed me to have complete control and autonomy over the design process, resulting in a unique and personal final product.
LPS : We were able to effortlessly create prototypes and design the product on a computer before manufacturing it, thereby enabling us to develop the ideal model and design.
LPS : Yes, Exlicon's design was influenced by data and analytical research, including testing prototypes and gathering feedback from key opinion leaders to improve user experience and practical applications. The design team had to balance precision with accessibility while considering factors such as safety and quality standards.
LPS : Designing the Exlicon Multi Shape drawing tools presented challenges such as creating a needle-free tool that avoids damage to the drawing surface and ensuring easy attachment of magnetic wings to the base. The development process involved overcoming obstacles such as finding suitable materials, testing magnetic strength, and balancing precision with ease of use, while considering historical and social perspectives, 3D printing technology, and safety and quality standards. Through extensive research, prototyping, and testing, the team created a tool that offers a new and improved way of drawing precise shapes.
LPS : We decided to join because we wanted to gain exposure and showcase our work to a wider audience. Aside from receiving recognition, competitions allow us to receive feedback from experts and potential investors. It also allows us to gain networks with other designers and industry professionals.
LPS : During the design process, we acquired a better understanding of the difficulties involved in developing a needle-free drawing tool, which enabled us to enhance our prototyping and testing procedures and expand our knowledge of materials and manufacturing.
LPS : As a designer, collaboration with others is essential for creating successful designs, staying up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies is important, and working with clients and stakeholders can be challenging but rewarding. Personal creativity and inspiration are also critical for success in design.
