We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Swofinty Yik about their original and creative Folding Bicycle design work. Swofinty Yik is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original folding bicycle works.
Swofinty Yik ("SY") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Fin Folding Bicycle. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
SY : At a fingertip convenient, where's the idea focus on fun, innovative and neat. It's all begins with hobby into cycling eventually became a vintage bike collector especially folding bike. I was inspire and mesmerized with the historical value, folding invention evolution, the design process and implementation in result creating awareness and influence the society mobility landscape.
SY : To design a bicycle for better tomorrow.
SY : I can imagine, it would be perfect to see her on the road.
SY : Two plus years.
SY : It was very much a personal hobby inspired creation; an alternative mobility experience.
SY : Never. I do have plan to lease the production rights should all materialise.
SY : As a profession I was an Interior Designer, I must confess it was first hobby turned passion having the knowledge and skill I have developed, enable positive process of thinking and encourage this design come to live.
SY : Precisely, there are many past and present good design globally being the bridge for my learning curve and inspiration. Namely, Gladiator military folding bike 1896, Andrew Ritchie Brompton, ingenious design 1976. couplings design, and Monkii mounting mechanism for accessories and FUBi fixie bike with large triangle frame may have influenced later large-wheeled folding, since then FIN evolved with a quite unusual bicycle designs in small-wheel and package.
SY : This is a bicycle designed for all ages and lifestyle.
SY : Design appearance, conveniences and the fold.
SY : The name for this design derived from my name swo FIN ty, FIN. It's represent the movement and balance, graphically outlined the FIN form profile too when folded.
SY : Both manual hand sketches and Vectorworks CAD design software.
SY : Withstand the test of time.
SY : Yes, it’s important especially throughout the design process of experimenting with various methods of doing something until one finds the most successful, from rough model, test frame and prototype.
SY : Mobility advancement.
SY : I have done research based on actual various existing folding bike design, riding comfort, purpose and target market, function and aesthetic. With the understanding I have design this new method of folding without compromising commuter necessity and the ride similar to a full size bike reflecting one purpose, functionality.
SY : Limited timeframe and resources.
SY : I believe I’m ready.
SY : Determination and to do things consistent with what one claims.
