Design Mimicry | EC Image

 Next time you are at a social event, take a look around. You might see an artsy guy or gal with a Cannon or Nikon strapped around their shoulders. If they are a bouji hipster, they probably have a Leica. You might even catch a true hipster in the wild who still develops pictures in the basement from their old school Minolta...lolz. There seems to be something trendy about carrying a camera around and catching candid moments of friends, families and dogs. It's almost like some people make it part of their fashion accessory and wear it with the empowerment to catch priceless moments and attempt to do it well. Whether a genuine or wannabe camera geek, technology has made it possible for anyone to be a photographer! Or at least made it possible for anyone to look like they know what they're doing. Nonetheless, you are probably going to be jealous that their fisheyed DSLR pictures are going to turn out way better than your standard iPhone pix. The lifestyle of the photographer lives on as the fascination to take bad-ass, artsy photos continues speak to millions of people around the world. Pictures are truly worth a million words...

The EC Image case was a project approached to me as a partnership between Schneider Optics and Element Case. I thought it was a great idea - high-end camera optics paired with a high-end case. In retrospect, iPhones have been such a versatile consumer electronic and mobile device. Although it is a "phone", it has predominately become more popular as a camera...a damn good one too! It seems like the camera feature of the device continues to be enhanced with every new iPhone that is released. With the clarity of the iPhone 6s camera today, it's not hard to imagine how much better they'll get.

The iPhone camera is such a powerful tool that it has created a whole lifestyle around it. Do a search and you'll find countless accessories for it, not to mention all the apps that support it. From Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and all the other apps available to showcase your #hipstamatic #iphonography, seems like everyone is a photographer overnight...or should I say hipster #iphonographer...I'm sorry purists...don't be mad. Love it or hate it, let's embrace it because that's where the industry has headed. I believe that we should empower those who want to enhance the quality of their pictures and segway their picture-taking fascination into quality photography as an art form that all can appreciate. This was my mission of the Element Case Image project.

iPhone being able to take SLR  quality pictures has reigned over the "point-and-shoot" industry. But one thing that restricts the iPhone from being a "true" camera is its inability to change lighting options and lenses. In addition, at the end of the day, the iPhone is simply a thin and fragile mini tablet made of aluminum and glass in its bare form - The body of the iPhone will never beat the ergonomics and durability of a true point-and-shoot or DSLR. In addition, cameras are a rugged device. It goes through many adventures to take bad ass scenic pictures. Within these adventures, they may encounter some bumps on the road and rocky trails that can cause some wear and tear. Cameras are designed to hold up against the rough rides. The iPhone is not.

The intent of the Image case was to respect the nature of the camera and like I mentioned, empower the user and allow them to take even better pictures than what is offered on both their hardware and apps. Aside from the cool modular lense options (macro, fisheye, wide angle and telephoto) the body offers profile contours and classic SLR/DSLR type textures not only for ergonomic grip but also for the ruggedness that it needs. In addition, It has 1/4-20 screw sockets to attach to your tripods and other camera/cam cording mounts to indulge is perfecto selfies and steady cams. The Image case is a product that encompasses the lifestyle of professional photographers and resonates the SLR and point-and-shoot for the classic camera nostalgia. #hipstagram level 9000 hasn't been stronger! 

Sometimes, design calls for mimicking traits of another product. However, in my opinion there is a fine line between mimicry and imitation. Mimicry or simulation captures the core experiences and emotional value of another product, not only through tasteful aesthetic but also useful functions. It reminds the user that although the product is wholistic in itself, it allows you to appreciate where it's original idea came from. On the other hand, imitation, the way I see it, is a novelty of cheap thrills where design is placed and copied irresponsibly.

Dango Wallets Coming Soon!

All design thinking, and technicalities aside, here is something fun...

Iv'e always been interested in doing soft and leather goods. Back at Element Case, during after hours when everyone was gone and I was the last one in the office, I would make my own wallets just for fun - pick my leathers, pleathers and liners, make 2D vector drawings on AI, send it to the laser cutter, then off to Joanne's Fabrics for the essential sewing supplies and voila! - I would have my very own wallet in a couple of hours...actually, more like 2-3 hours of excruciating hand sewing. This process went on several times until I made a wallet that I really liked, and used it to the death! Geez I must have a wallet grave yard somewhere in my house...

The types of products that you just do out of your own will are those that are made out of passion. Its because you REALLY want to solve something or like me, you just simply want to rock a bad ass wallet. When you have the motivation and drive to make something cool, it is your nature's calling...so own it and take it all the way if you really believe in it! That was the case with me on this project. I always had a weird obsession with wallets, but it was so hard for me to find the perfect one that fit my lifestyle. I would use one for a short while and then swap it out for one that I thought was better...until I found one that was better than that one. Come to think of it, for wallet users, your wallet is one of your daily best friends - it carries your money, identity, your business and more. Yes, there are several iPhone apps that slim the bulk in your pocket. With Apple Pay available, many people have even stopped carrying wallets all together! But the way I see it, like a pen/pencil drawings vs. Sketchbook Pro, I believe there is a tangible nostalgia about a wallet that an app can never beat. Maybe it's the smell or texture of the leather. For some it might be the feel of crisp dollar bills that are pulled out of it that makes a man feel like a baller. For me, a wallet is an essential everyday carry and one of man's most basic tools that is an extension of himself - his identity, his style and his money. 

This project technically started 2 years ago when I started making my wallets at Element Case. Since then, wallets have gained so much popularity in the design world. Up until now, with several iterations of my own wallet designs, the evolution has come to a wallet that I think is on the top of the food chain. So now that I have my own company (Dango Products), might as well launch the most over the top wallet that I call a block of "BAD ASS" in my pockets! I don't want to say too much now...but here are some teasers. stay tuned and learn more! Dango Wallets will be launching off on Kickstarter soon(some where between July and August)

Ideations and thumbnail sketches

While establishing the core experience through mind maps, I research and ideate in conjunction. Its a good way to surround yourself in the world of the product. 

Industrial design is a unique job in that designers learn new things as the design process takes its course.  I learn something new in every project. From science & technology, health & fitness, medical, mechanical & electrical engineer to human behavior, the research phase is where you are able to explore the world and apply your learnings to your own little world. Take it all in and take note of them! Some ideas may be totally off the wall and silly, but this stage of the process calls for that type of creativity. Plus, the knowledge you gained from your research and "silly" thumbnail sketches may be helpful for future projects. 

The research and ideation sketches below are from a sustainable design project I worked on called the "ZEM House Project". The assignment was to design the structure of an "off-the-grid", sustainable micro-home, and create the eco-friendly furniture and appliances for it. 

Design Thinking

This mind map helps me to figure out all peripherals of a product idea. I use it as a way to stay focused. During the design process, it is easy to lose focus when you are tempted to stray off topic. In my eyes, design is seperated Into four categories: experience, emotions, functions and aesthetic. 

The 4 corners of design theory 

Experience: 

 How will this product be used in a specific context? Questions to ask: Who, what, where, when and most importantly, WHY are we solving this problem?

Emotions:

How can this product make someone feel? Emotional design is crucial in capturing the user’s interest beyond the functional and aesthetic traits. It dives deep into their emotional needs. This will help grab the user’s decision to buy the product.

Functions:

List the technical traits this product will have and how it will work. What features will the product provide and what materials & mechanical options do we have to choose from to execute those features?

Aesthetic:

How will this product look? Consider the textures, finishes, colors, trending styles that will help this product become aesthetically desirable.     

Below is an example of this mind map filled out for one of my projects at Focus PDM (sorry for the mismatched colors!). I often come back to it later and add to it when new ideas come to mind

Aphid: The orb that started it all

This orb was the first model I made when I chose Industrial design as a career. The project was to create an object that would fit comfortably in the hand. A part line was required. I called it the Aphid