Designing for a better future

The final-year thesis projects of students at the National University of Singapore's Division of Industrial Design ran the gamut from healthcare to service design, but there were also trends of social design and going back to one's Asian roots

Adaptix (left), an exercise system for paraplegics designed by Mr Sherwin Ng (right), is a home-based portable device which features wheelchair rollers for cardio and muscle-strengthening workouts, and has motor-assisted leg pedals for passive-motion exer
Adaptix (left), an exercise system for paraplegics designed by Mr Sherwin Ng (right), is a home-based portable device which features wheelchair rollers for cardio and muscle-strengthening workouts, and has motor-assisted leg pedals for passive-motion exercises for the lower limbs.PHOTOS: NUS DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Designed as a night light, Qi (left) is illuminated using the existing light from a smartphone’s screen. It was created by Mr Ryan Chin (right).
Designed as a night light, Qi (left) is illuminated using the existing light from a smartphone’s screen. It was created by Mr Ryan Chin (right).PHOTOS: NUS DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Post (left), a portable system comprising a mailbox device and an app wirelessly hooked up to a smartphone, lets users send social media posts to be printed as physical photos. It was designed by Ms Yasmine Cheng (right), who hopes the system can help les
Post (left), a portable system comprising a mailbox device and an app wirelessly hooked up to a smartphone, lets users send social media posts to be printed as physical photos. It was designed by Ms Yasmine Cheng (right), who hopes the system can help less tech-savvy grandparents connect with their grandchildren.PHOTOS: NUS DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
The For Durian, By Durian packaging (left) is made from durian fibre and starch extracted from the fruit’s rinds and seeds. Designed by Ms Seah Li Ping (right), it has spaces to protect the fruit’s pulp as well as an interlocking system to hold everything
The For Durian, By Durian packaging (left) is made from durian fibre and starch extracted from the fruit’s rinds and seeds. Designed by Ms Seah Li Ping (right), it has spaces to protect the fruit’s pulp as well as an interlocking system to hold everything together.PHOTOS: NUS DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Wei! (left) is a design tool that aims to translate taste into shapes, generating tableware such as plates and bowls that help people pick up the finer points about Chinese Diet Therapy. Designed by Ms Sheryl Ang (right), it hopes to classify food in term
Wei! (left) is a design tool that aims to translate taste into shapes, generating tableware such as plates and bowls that help people pick up the finer points about Chinese Diet Therapy. Designed by Ms Sheryl Ang (right), it hopes to classify food in terms of flavours and temperatures.PHOTOS: NUS DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Comprising a name card and a book in which caregivers see themselves as a third party, the Caregiving101 project (left) by Mr Shawn Ng (right) hopes to use the experiences shared during caregiver support sessions to spread awareness of such events.
Comprising a name card and a book in which caregivers see themselves as a third party, the Caregiving101 project (left) by Mr Shawn Ng (right) hopes to use the experiences shared during caregiver support sessions to spread awareness of such events.PHOTOS: NUS DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
Senior Correspondent
  • Published
    Jul 25, 2020, 5:00 am SGT
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Ms Yasmine Cheng has designed a "postbox" for grandparents who are not tech-savvy to bond with their grandchildren, one that puts a whole new spin on the phrase: "You've got mail."

Called Post, the compact, portable system comprises a mailbox device and an app wirelessly hooked up to a smartphone.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 25, 2020, with the headline 'Designing for a better future'. Subscribe
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