DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: The inspiration behind my design is modern ergonomics, which to me is: the efficient and seamless merge of form and function. Efficient in the use of resources whether that is for the creation of the product or through the use of the product.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: My focus was to create novel door furniture to provide interiors, architecture and for all persons to access their homes with a real alternative.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
: To revolutionise secure access to our homes and buildings through modern ergonomic door furniture.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: The idea was instant, the prototype took 1 week and the final designs took 6 months.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
: I designed this concept initially as there were no disability or movement impairment friendly door handles readily available for my mother who has severe rheumatoid arthritis. It was difficult and painful for my mother to turn her wrist to unlock her internal doors. These designs were not commissioned by anyone except by myself.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
: Currently, only my company has the intellectual property rights to use my design and invention. I am producing these door furniture designs to sell myself. In the future, the IP may be licensed for other companies to use.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
: I designed this type of work during renovations of my own properties. I attempted to replace my door furniture with a modern and ergonomic handle but I could not find any on the market. This led me to creating one myself.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
: There wasn’t anything similar existing on the market which influenced me, so many of my designs are unique and novel. My designs are influenced by latest bathroom trends and modern architectural designs.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
: The target would be for customer who are after high end architectural fittings and hardware, but I also have a range for consumer and disability access customers.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
: My handles do not resemble long levers nor spherical balls, which resemble 99% of what is on the market. My designs are really the only alternative available to levers and knobs.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
: Linear locksets are door handles and locks that operate in a linear motion, that is, pushing or pulling the handle as opposed to rotating a lever or knob as in conventional handles.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
: I worked with simple 3D modelling software (Solidworks) and a consumer grade 3D printer. CNC milling and machining.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
: The most unique aspect of my design is the way it functions, which is intuitive and it having less than half the parts of conventional door furniture.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
: I did not collaborate with anyone on these designs. However, I would be very enthusiastic if I could work with more designers on my future projects!
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
: Technology in allowed prototyping to be made within a few days. Technology allows anyone with the will and a creative mind to start creating and innovating immediately without the expense of costly prototyping.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
: I conducted market research and product research on ergonomic home fittings and hardware. Due to the lack of ergonomic and affordable home hardware commenced with my innovations.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
: The lack of local support in the local industry and government.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
: I believed in my design and innovation as there was not a lot in this space. I believed it was important to present this innovation and intuitive product to the world.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
: Through installing prototype designs into my homes and undergoing real trials of usage over 2 months. Through this process of personal and public usage of the product, I was able to modifying the designs according to personal and public feedback to create the final designs.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
: I would like to say thankyou for the recognition and acknowledgement of this award.