Idea Factory Workshop (17-18 Sept)

@Day 1

On Monday, i went to Jurong Medical Centre taking part in a workshop as designer helping a group of teachers from various schools to innovate their thinking. This workshop could benefit them to as they could apply the skills learned to their students or even fellow teachers.

Initially, I was really jaded and reluctant to go… was only motivated because i would get paid in the end and i could check out the elderly somehow as part of my research. However, my perspectives change at the end of the day.. and i feel that its rather meaningful and fruitful…

I led a group of teachers and we went to visit Mr Teo as part of our design research to design for the needs of the elderly. I was really touched by the visit as i really empathize with Mr Teo, who is a stroke victim, but unable to talk or balance himself… He was so emotional by our visit that he had teary eyes and open his mouth as if he had a million words to pour out to us…

I feel that thats what made me a designer.. is to design for the needs of people.. sometimes people who are in desperate need… to make their lives better and more comfortable…

We profiled Mr Teo as our inspiration for design and created a profiling for him about his needs and background… and then we gave a presentation to another group so that we have further interaction in the workshop.. Above are some of my snaps :)

@Day 2

We have created some concepts and are ready to produce some simple prototypes that we made :)

A Monitoring Motion Detector. A suit with motion sensors to allow the caregiver to monitor Mr Teo’s every movement.. or alert her while shes not in visual contact with him..

A platform to scoop the stroke patient to transfer from lying position on the floor to a sitting position..

Bear in mind those are the teachers who made the innovations!

Thats the final presentation…

Dan