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1.      What was the most difficult moment when developing your idea?

Defining the initial concept and direction is critical in getting the rest of the design process to flow. It’s arguably the most challenging moment when facing a blank sheet of paper and the immense responsibility of creating the concept.

When designing robots, it’s often easiest to apply an anthropomorphic, zoomorphic or machine-like form.

I believe that robots should not be caricatures of living things but possess a form representative of their purpose while still truly coming alive.

It was definitely a huge challenge to develop a design concept that is purposeful and representative of the product function while being interactive with an emotional appeal.

2.      What are some new things you learned about yourself and the users as you were designing?

As with every challenging project and experience, I definitely discovered new capabilities and stretched limits within myself.

New challenges always elicit new thought processes or problem-solving methods that come up intuitively as response. I find that these are actually revisited time and again in future as additional tools in my designer’s toolbox.

With this design, I also saw first-hand just how impactful the aesthetic of a product can be to users, especially for the first impression.

In order to establish it as a function with higher business value, designers have been encouraged to prioritise capabilities in problem-solving, strategy and user-centricity. Sometimes we forget to design for beauty.

Seeing the reactions of wonder, delight, and amazement in users who saw the robot for the first time, enabling a highly positive starting engagement with the product, was truly rewarding.

3.      What are your future plans?

I believe that robots in human environments are going to become more capable, integrated and relevant in the near future, due to the recent technology becoming more readily available (e.g., 5G, machine learning, computer vision)

More and more robots are going to be deployed in the spaces we live in, and they will be more intelligent and sensitive to their environments.

Design is going to have a very vital role to play in this. While sensors inform the robot and AI powers its decision making, design needs to be there to bridge the interaction between human and robot – as it has for decades in the form of HMI.

While UI/UX design is already established as the most widespread and recent form of designing human-machine interfaces, human-robot interaction will take it one step further.

Design enables robots to communicate beyond words and graphics on a screen; through form, motion, audio-visual expression and more, facilitating intuitive deployment, trust, companionship, and collaborative work.

1. What was the most difficult moment when developing your idea?

One of the issues about conventional pillows is the inability to wash them. We spent an average of 8 hours sleeping on our pillow. Overtime, dirt and oil start to build up. Even though the pillow case is washable, the dirts can cause bacteria in the pillow.

As I am hygiene conscious, I was adamant to design my pillow to be able to clean easily. It took many years of research, redesigning, and users testing to come up with a fully-machine washable pillow that protects the filling cushions from sweat, dust and germs. 

2. What are some new things you learned about yourself and the users as you were designing?

I realised that a one-size pillow cannot fit everyone. Each individual has a unique body shape, size and preferred sleeping position. I see the need for the pillow to fit an individual and not the other way round.

To better understand how to get a good night’s sleep, I was mentored by a Taiwanese chirporactor, Mr Zheng Yunlong to identify the right pillow to use to correct sleep posture. Through these five year of learnings and experiences, the Mpillow was finally made. 

3. What are your future plans?

We are looking to increase our online presence to create awareness and education about the importance of sleep and how our customisable Mpillow can help others to achieve that. We noticed younger people are also facing sleeping problems and being on social media and e-commerce platforms give us the opportunity to reach out to them.

Being online also extend our presence beyond Singapore as we are looking to take the expanding our business to other countries such as Malaysia. 

4. What was the inspiration behind your product/design/idea?

Our journey began in 2016, when Darren suffered from chronic neck pain due to ill-fitting pillows. Despite trying every pillow that promised good neck and head support, nothing worked.

Feeling frustrated and eager for a restful sleep, Darren tapped on his experience and training as an engineer to design, sculpt and stitch together a pillow to give the right support. After many months of trial and error, he finally had his first good night’s sleep. Importantly, his self-crafted pillow with its unique “M” shape eliminated his neck and shoulder pain.

Delighted with his creation, Darren shared Mpillow with family and friends. After receiving good reviews from them, he realised that his pillow can help others who were suffering from neck and shoulder pain. Determined to help fellow pain sufferers, Darren decided to make the Mpillow available to everyone who needs it.

5. How has the SG Mark benefited you?

As the winner of the SG Mark, it has helped to boost the brand credibility of Mpillow to our customers and made our team very proud. The award also reflects us as a proud Singapore company that leverages on design and innovation to increase value in our product offerings. 

6. How do you think your design has impacted users?

Most of our customers who come to us experienced difficulty in sleeping due to neck pain, headaches and other problems. This is due to the lack of pillow options to fit their unique body build and their sleeping preferences. The Mpillow is designed to solve these problems with our patented “M” design. Our customised pillows help our customers sleep comfortably by providing them the right support to fulfill a better night’s sleep. 

7. Did you experience designer’s block during your work process?

I believe most designers can agree with me. Sometimes, I would find myself revisiting the same issue and that’s when I know I have to take a proactive approach. I would take a step back, before revisiting it to see if I can spot any solutions with a fresher perspective. It also helps for me to discuss it with my team and get some ideas from them. 

8. How do you unwind after the grind?

I enjoy taking long walks and surround myself with nature. I unwind by playing the guitar and sometimes I get some inspiration from it. I also like hanging out with my friends to explore my surroundings for inspiration.

1. What was the most difficult moment when developing your idea?

We have experienced many challenges in the past few years because of the exponential growth our business has undergone. The most difficult part is to find the right team to work with.

2. What are some new things you learned about yourself and the users as you were designing?

A lot of new things have been learnt, especially when we were conducting user studies. For instance, our hand sanitiser was not designed to just be a sanitser as upon conducting more user studies, we have found out that by housing it in such a way, the act of using the hand sanitiser becomes a lot more enjoyable as an experience.

3. What are your future plans?

We plan on expanding our range in our current category by possibly collaborating with other designers to elevate the design experience in the category, as well as innovating more products to expand our product line. We also plan on expanding our brand reach to overseas market to gain further awareness and exposure, while allowing even more people to enjoy.

4. What was the inspiration behind your product/design/idea?

The inspiration behind this was to not only bring a hand sanitiser that is safe for the skin and environment but also to look beautiful and elegant. The AOz Premium Hand Sanitiser was developed to revolutionise the way we sanitise our hands, having it housed in a beautiful spray bottle. This too encourages one to bring around a hand sanitiser with them when they go out.

Innovative elements such as the twistable spray body, streamlined packaging and elegant colors have been incorporated to create a beautiful and functional design that is perfect for a hand sanitiser.

5. Did you experience designer’s block during your work process?

There were a couple of times where we felt we were stuck and was not sure how to move forward. However, this was usually because we hit a barrier and needed to decide whether to go over it or continue on our paths. But we always find a way to solve it when we are stuck in such situations.

The biggest challenge for us was to create a product that has both skin health benefits for the user and convenience for the user at the same time. A lot of hand sanitisers are usually harsh on your hands and I wanted to avoid that from happening. We wanted to create something that would be skin friendly but at the same time, still effective. Hence, we were ecstatic to know along our design journey that the product we have created just a year ago, the AOz Ozonated Olive Oil was the perfect ingredient to infuse into our sanitisers as it contained a plethora of moisturising and skin oriented benefits.

6. How do you unwind after the grind?

I would usually make myself a nice cup of pour-over coffee after a long grind. Fortunately or unfortunately, coffee makes me feel more relaxed and sleepier instead of being more focused. Hence the act of hand-grinding a fresh bag of beans and pouring that fresh cup of coffee has always been therapeutic for me, perfect to end off the day.

7. How do you think your design of the AOz Premium Hand Sanitiser has impacted users?

We’ve realised that the element of hygiene has become a lot more prevalent due to COVID-19. However, they come at the cost of your skin’s health due to the drying effects of most common hand sanitisers. Hence we have designed one where it effectively sanitises and moisturises, while leaving a nice subtle fragrant without the risk of dry skin or sticky residue. Furthermore, it is housed in a small, fashionable spray bottle that is resistant to leaks.

1. How has the SG Mark benefited you?

It is a mark of confidence in our design, and it assures current and future clients of the quality we bring to the table.

2. How do you think your design has impacted users?

DHL MEA IC is a mobile travelling exhibition, and we hope that it would bring across the idea that DHL is a company that can move mountains to deliver a memorable experience for their customers.

3. What was the most difficult moment when developing your idea?

DHL has a long history and a ton of content, it was really challenging to sift through all the information provided to try and get to the soul of the exhibition. We had to understand everything and boil it down to make sure the content and design were in sync and to create an engaging experience for our users.

4. What are some new things you learned about yourself and the users as you were designing?

I learnt that putting yourself in the client’s shoes is very important when producing any design, to align to the client’s needs. This has helped the team avoid conflict and build a working relationship with the client, leading to a very smooth working process indeed!

5. What are your future plans?

We hope to continue our fruitful partnership with DHL, not only designing and building more Innovation Centres, but together, exploring more opportunities with the many solutions and services they are a part of.

6. What was the inspiration behind your product/design/idea?

What inspired us was the mobility of the client; DHL is a company that is famed for logistical efficiency and for their ability to reach consumers worldwide and we decided that the Innovation Centre should as well!

7. Did you experience designer’s block during your work process?

Of course! Any designer would at some point. It feels as if your client is a stranger to you, even if we have worked together for many years. I learnt that when this happens, it’s always useful to go back to the brief, to retrace your steps and you will eventually find your way back to the right path.

8. How do you unwind after the grind?

I like boxing! Sweat out the stress.

1. How has the SG Mark benefited you?

Our head office in Tokyo has recognised the Clan Hotel as the best Hotel Design of The Year 2022. This indicates that our hard work for The Clan Hotel has been recognised externally and internally among all projects completed by KKS GROUP.

2. How do you think your design has impacted users?

Some guests are more curious to visit or stay in this hotel when they know that the hotel has been awarded this year’s SG Mark winner. Particularly those involved in the Hospitality field are curious just as how we would be to other projects.

3. What was the most challenging moment when developing your idea?

The difficult moment is always how to transform or translate the ideas into design to fit into space and in what manner. In this case, how can the design be “sustainable” for a long time than just fashion? We must consider this carefully to ensure the hotel design still looks fresh and reminds guests of the immigrant story even after 10~15 years.

4. What are some new things you learned about yourself and the users as you were designing?

Whenever we design hotels, my vision is to design and implement ideas. However, it is very curious whether the guests have the same concept as mine about looking at products to appreciate or have different points of view.

5. What are your future plans (personal or company/ work)?

KKS International (S) Pte Ltd. will continue work on hospitality design as part of KKS GROUP of the company in Japan to promote our ability in “good design” that influences guests in some way. Our satisfaction will be when the guests check out with good memory of staying in the hotel. However, it will still be “competitive & challenging” to achieve this, but I believe it is only possible if the designer has a passion for creative design.

6. What was the inspiration behind your product/design/idea?

The inspiration was based on the history of the location of the site & surroundings to connect the “Past” & “Future”.

7. Did you experience a designer’s block during your work process?

No, I have not experienced a designer’s block. But it is instead facing difficulties in coming to satisfy the final design.

8. How do you unwind after the grind?

As a designer, there is no break from thinking about design whenever or wherever you are. This is the nature of how the designer will be more creative and imaginative. I do get tired and tense when the design is still unsatisfactory and how to deliver a better design & solution.

1. How do you think your design has impacted users? I believe a good design helps in activating spaces and bringing communities together. It makes spaces lively and more interesting.

2. What was the most difficult moment when developing your idea? To continuously churning our new ideas for different projects especially when projects revolve around the same theme.                                     

3. What are some new things you learned about yourself and the users as you were designing? Users are always looking around for the same theme. Be it forest, ship or sea theme. They revolve around the 3 most popular themes. New things that I have learned is being able to be creative and managing expectations of the users what can be done and what cannot.

4. What are your future plans? Future plans are to design playgrounds that teaches children on sustainability such as playground that harness children’s energy and convert to wind or kinetic energy.

5. What was the inspiration behind your product/design/idea? We are inspired by modern architecture, abstract objects and nature  behind our product / design/idea.

6. Did you experience designer’s block during your work process? No, I leave to my team of designers while I provide them the inspiration.

7. How has the SG Mark benefited you? It has position us an award winning design firm that clients look forward to  working with us.

8. How do you unwind after the grind? By reading novels, watching movies and a glass of wine to end the day.