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Swarna IDC Degree Show 2009

Besides hosting the usual buffet of seminars and workshops for their Swarna 2009 Degree Show, folks at Industrial Design Centre IIT Mumbai had a spectacular exhibition for their graduating class. Although I got to sift through the Industrial Design, Animation Design, Visual Communication and Interaction Design faculties, I naturally gravitated towards the ID section. Follow me to see the some of the innovative gems I discovered at the show.

Exhibition: Industrial Design Centre IIT Mumbai

Touchphone For The Blind

The B-Touch mobile phone takes the iPhone touchscreen revolution a step ahead by incorporating innovate features to make a touchscreen cellphone for the blind. Limitation of senses does not hinder the sensitivity of this phone coz it combines technologies of blind-touch screen (Braille), voice systems and programs to function as regular phone, navi-system, book reader and object recognizer. Take a look at the video after the jump to understand it better.

Designer: Zhenwei You

Throw Some Light On Your Speaker

Not to be confused with the conceptual SoundBulb that we so admired, The Sound Bulb Speaker seen here is a speaker shaped like your typical light bulb. Basically we are talking about a LED light bulb that hosts a transformer, a speaker, and a wireless receiver to stream music from your iPod, PC, mobile phone, etc. Featuring a standard Edison thread you can screw this on to almost any holder. It also consists of a protective wire mesh or hood and a translucent frosted plastic shell to support the work-dynamics.

Designer: Armada

Pimp Your Doorbell

Designer Mike Skene has taken the ordinary old doorbell and pimped it to a new level. Taking initial inspiration from percussion, the action of striking of one body against another and a persons ability to interact with their surroundings through their sense of touch, “Doorbell” is an original take on a well known device providing a unique, evocative user experience that is sure to bring a smile to your face when heard for the first time.

Designer: Mike Skene

Affordable Home

A roof over your head is probably the most important necessity of life; poverty should not be the reason that you get deprived of it. This sentiment is well understood by Jennifer Margell, which is why she has designed affordable homes for slums of Nairobi that are made from recycled materials. Called Makao (Swahili for home), each house can be customized and configured according to individual needs. The roofs of the homes collect and filter gray water; the roof panels also open to release heat.

Designer: Jennifer Margell

Step Up If You Wanna Have Some Fun

Tired of your skateboard and rollerblades and fishing for some new way to pump your adrenalin? Stepboard is here to answer that call, and it does so in a very “safe” way; without the risks of the bone-crushing sport! Two boards on a frame that advance by pumping the back board down with one foot and making it turn using the front board as an axis. To stop you can use the disc-brake system, gesture-controlled by a hand command just as if it was a mountain-board. The flip-side is that it’s not a speed-monster and it doesn’t boast precise maneuverability.

Designer: Nicolás Chacana

A Really Really Portable Iron

Hotel irons generally suck unless you’re staying in some 4-5 star palace, so weary travelers usually bring their own irons. They’re becoming smaller, thinner, and lighter but the simply and aptly named Portable Iron unfolds from a slim boxed inclosure by rail mechanism. It don’t get more portable than this. The double heating plates are spring loaded between them perfect to slip collars and cuffs into. It’s battery powered for true mobility too. Now argue amongst yourselves about the feasibility of this concept.

Designer: Apostol Tnokovski

Eat, Cook and Clean Up, All At The Same Table

The two things that I see common regarding perception of futuristic technology is that products are going to be compact and well integrated. Take for example this futuristic dining table, its designed with all the modern convenience integrated within its belly. Once you sit down, you needn’t get up to make a toast or fetch the coffee, get an apple from the fridge or even wash your dishes. It’s all integrated into the table.

Designer: Petr Kubik

Dual System Bike

Tired of pedaling around Seattle and San Francisco due to the topography; no worries when you have designers like Brian considering the options for us. The Cykle is a project modeled on the Bike Share systems that is popular around Europe, and it combines both muscle power and electric power to function. Steep slopes and rugged terrain can be tackled by switching over to the electric mode, and scenic by-lanes can be enjoyed by pedaling around.

Designer: Brian Mcallister

Artsy Electric Pole

I forgive you for mistaking this as an art instillation, but I guess that was the whole point behind designing the amazing Yggdrasil Electric Pole. Svenska Kraftnät (the folks who run the Swedish national electrical grid) approved of this design and the poles will be placed as a portal on either side of an entry high way to Stockholm, Sweden. So if you’re making a road trip to Sweden in the year 2010-11, expect to these dynamic poles greet you at the fringe of the cityscape. BTW Yggdrasil refers to the holy world tree in Norse Mythology.

Designer: No Picnic

Ten Creative Reasons To Learn A Musical Instrument

Growing up in a typical Indian household meant imbibing certain rituals, like learning a musical instrument. Girls were encouraged to learn the Harmonium or the Sitar and the boys took up Tabla. Un/fortunately I wasn’t traditional and learnt the flute, bugle and trumpet instead. My brothers took up the saxophone and the drums; we used to often joke that we could start a home band! If you’ve not tried playing a musical instrument, then I feel you’ve missed something in life. Come, let me charm you with 10 ideas that will encourage you to hit a note!

Specialized Kitchen-Dining For The Physically Challenged

Coox is a specialized kitchen plus dining area meant for those who use wheelchairs; however able-bodied people can use it comfortably as well. Sporting a circular form, the table is divided into two areas, the cooking and the dining. The cooking side hosts a fridge, microwave oven, induction cooker, armature, dish rack and drawers. A wheelchair-bound person’s basic anthropometric measurements have been taken into consideration while designing it.

Designer: Fatih Can Sarioz

No Tangible Screen For this Mobile Phone

Are you over the iPhone 3G S and Palm Pre? Good, coz I got to get you prepared for the future. In ten years from now, there probably will be no war amongst manufacturers with regards to display; coz there simply will be NONE! Holograms will replace the screens! Trou Hologram Mobile Phone relies totally on 3D holograms being projected in the vacant display area. Tiny projectors line the inner surface of the hollow and bring to life the many aspects of the technology. Imagine seeing 3D maps of a particular area or your girlfriend’s hologram when she calls!

Designer: Mac Funamizu