Emily Carr Institute Graduation Exhibition opens to public from May 7 to May 22, 2006. many great artworks and designs from students in Visual Arts, Media Arts, Communication Design and Industrial Design are featured in the exhibition. students are creative; their minds explore without borders. i find myself enjoy students' shows very much; in fact, i get inspired by students' works quite often. this post covers all of the Industrial Design and a few from Communication Design & Visual Arts.
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INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
i found that these industrial students at Emily Carr are not only creative but also have a great sense of humor when i read about their research and development processes. they are environmental enthusiasts; many of their designs help reduce negative impact on the environment. many of the designs take care of the local needs by finding innovative solutions.
Rediscovering Landscape: Exploring new meaning for urban park spaces - Alex HendersonAlex Henderson uses an existing park space in Vancouver as a case study to re-examines the
role and potential of a small park space in a densely urban area. she points out some interesting issues and gives suggestive solutions such as elevated ponds that won't need the usual chemical treatment, fewer turfed areas for lower energy usage for maintaining the park, and solar energy lighting system, etc.
Prefabricated Emergency Shelter - Alexis SmithAlexis Smith's deployable shelter is a product of thoughtful and careful design process. it's a light-weight shelter that requires minimum instruction to assemble. It's easy to clean in between uses. it collapses for easy transportation. better yet, it's customizable, allowing for individual identity.
Skycabin - Andreas Tiberiu Dracopoldo you feel like that you're getting smaller and smaller leg room when flying economic class? Andreas Tiberiu Dracopol's Skycabin may just solve the problem.
Beyond Stigma: Breaking down the Stigma associated with disabilities - Peter-Asturias Vysekthe goal is to create an identity platform for a digital craft workshop. Peter-Asturias Vysek came up with the idea of customizing products by using 'inkblot,' the diagnostic tool that addresses one's stigma. Stigma refers to the negative and unspoken attitudes that the public holds towards the mental aspects of illness and disability. He uses the inkblot as a visual language to help
generate discussion, awareness and understanding of the mental aspects of disability. the products include 'Mental Baggage,' a courier style bag and notebag with interchangeable flaps and custom inkblot and 'Not What We Seam' individual identity T-shirts.
Bassic: Innovative instructional device for electric bass guitar - Brad Min 
taking personal lessons to learn how to play electric bass is expensive. Brad Min offers a self-teaching device for people to learn efficiently with its unique guiding light-up system and combined features such as downloadable lessons, drum machine and MP3 player, etc.
Eats: Innovative kitchen in the street - Brenda Lee 
Brenda Lee designed this modern, sleek and easy-to-set-up street kitchen. the complete package consists of 2 carts; cart 1 contains cooking unit and propane and cart 2 contains water and storage/fridge. when vendor decides to change their menu, they can exchange or purchase another cart 1 with different equipment. when not in use, the top seals and protects the cart; when the top is lifted, it becomes an umbrella.
Personal Server - Brian Ho + Anthony Reed 
i personally don't know too much about high-tech products, but i know it would be great if all need to bring with me is this great-looking tiny Personal Server instead of my flash drive, laptop, and palm pilot. also, no plugging in necessary.
Compost Vessel: Getting our food waste out of the garbage - Chris Kirbyif food waste is composted properly, it can be used to grow food. Chris Kirby wants to create awareness about food waste as valuable resource and encourage good recycling practices. with a
specific purpose, Compost Vessel integrates itself into dining routines. after the meal is finished and the food waste is collected, the vessel can be emptied easily into a segregated organics recycling bin or a backyard composite.
Longitude 123: Fresh kitchen prep space - Clive Chanmany modern dwellings don't have enough kitchen counter spaces. Clive Chan offers this vertically oriented preparation surface to solve the problem. when it's not in use as a kitchen counter, it rests against the wall as a media centre minimizing the use of the space. multifunctional pieces are always great for today's compact living.
Snowmobile Outerwears - Elizabeth Yadasnowmobiling is a growing sport in Western Canada and is a very physically demanding sport. Elizabeth Yada designed the outerwears that can improve the safety, health, and comfort for the riders by providing durability and efficient moisture management with waterproofing fabric.
Help: High-rise emergency location of people - Eric OlindanEric Olindan's goal is to provide high-rise building residents with a way to clearly signaling emergency workers where the help is needed. this product is easy to use and It also features simple-pull alarm, universally recognized arrow shape, red in colour, and 'help' to grab immediate attention, and lighting feature for night time use.
Beginner Majong Set - Gip Mar
if you just recently fell in love with Majong, this cardboard table set may be perfect for you. it's low cost, light weight, compact and portable. all Majong tiles and accessories can fit into the package. you can take the whole set to your friends without having to carry the traditional Majong table.
Therapod: Maintaining shoes clean and fresh - Gloria Yu
people with sweaty or smelly feet will no longer be embarrassed. Gloria Yu's Therapod is created to keep shoes bacteria-, fungus-, and odor-free so people won't need to worry about problems such as athlete's foot, fungus nail and foot odor.
Living Surfaces - Jakub Zak
people's traditional view of the table space usage is constrained by the surfaces. Jakub Zak's Living Surfaces emphasizes the usage of vertical spaces. this product creatively generates more usable space on the same table. your life will be more organized when part of you table can give you storage.
Kidspace: A customizable play space for kids - Jamie BugaraJamie Bugara's design of Kidspace encourages
explorations and creativity. the selection of panels includes floor panels, roof panels, windows, trap-door, cushions, screens, ladders, and ramps, etc. the users can fully customize the Kidspace into a square, a pentagon, a house, a spaceship and endless other possibilities.
Switch: Office in a bed - Jared SchmaleJared Schmale's goal is to allow 2 functions of a small room: bedroom and office. although this is a bedroom and office 2-in-1 design, it actually separates work and sleep by hiding one or another. this piece fully utilizes a small room without 2 functions disturbing each other.
C2: Vehicle Driver Control Solutions - Jason Wrobleski + Damir Kulic 
Jason Wrobleski from Emily Carr and Damir Kulic from Simon Fraser University think that many current vehicle cockpit designs increase driver distraction through unnecessary cognitive load. they want to provide an advanced user interface that improves drivers' safety, comfort, and efficiency. C2 requires minimum attention while adjusting a/c and music settings and so the drivers can focus on the actual driving.
Strings on Everything - Julian Hecht
of course everybody loses things and everybody forgets things. inspired by the string attaching to a child's two mittens, Julian Hecht ties a string on everything by using Radio Frequency Identification technology, photonic textiles, and wireless battery charging system. users simply put a sticker on belongings such as glasses, keys, wallet, and cellphones, etc. then the light-up display that is woven into the fabric of the bag will remind you of what you've forgotten to bring.
Energy Balance: A dish set that influences eating habits - Kathryn Forbesthese plates are not just beautiful home decor items. Kathryn Forbes's design can be integrated into every life to educate about nutrition. the plates are divided graphically, making it easy to remember the proper portion ratio. an instructional fridge magnet and user guide come with the set.
Retriever - Katie McKillop
falling in the water remains one of the most dangerous aspects of recreational boating. according to stats, most of the victims are male; thus, this product needs to be easy to carry and use for both male and female rescuers. Katie McKillop goes into extensive research to come up with 'Retriever.' it is an inflatable system that provides efficient way for the rescuer reboarding a hypothermic individual. its compact size and relatively light weight is easy to carry around. there are only few steps needed to set it up. these features should encourage boat lovers to prepare for this type of incidents.
One: Shoe design - Mark LeeMark Lee's One is made of non-toxic natural material and recyclable material. inspired by old shoe making method, these shoes show people how shoes are supposed to be made. unlike the shoes on the market these days, 'One' is designed with environmental issues in mind. it is made of non-toxic natural and recyclable material and is fully reparable. also, it packs flat for better storage and traveling; this feature should encourage consumers to buy these environmental-friendly shoes.
La Donna e Mobile - Matt Chenalthough most of the furniture pieces are designed for specific purposes, Matt Chen notices that people do get creative when it
comes to use the furniture. for example, some people would use chairs as their temporary shelving unit for storage. inspired by people's creative ways of using furniture, he designed this modular customizable system.
Rod Impact: Ergonomic solutions for
pulling and running rods - Melissa Mailhiotdue to the high injury rate by pulling and running rods at oil well sites, Melissa Mailhiot created this double-jawed, air impact wrench with safety and ergonomics in mind. besides ergonomic handle and safety door, it features secondary handle to help support tool weight, 2-finger trigger to reduce impact resulted from the repetitive strain of trigger finger.
EZone: Heart rate zone indicator for competitive cyclists - Paul Falcon 
it's difficult to monitor and process numeric heart rate data while cycling, especially at higher speeds and training intensities. Paul Falcon's EZone simplifies the data processing and improves the riding safety. it uses a combination of visual and non-visual methods to alert the rider instead of complicated data. Another notable feature is that the location of the EZone unit on the glove is clearly visible from all 3 major handlebar gripping positions.
Water Well: making the invisible visible - Pauline Cheng 
water usage in Canada is double that of Europeans. Pauline Cheng introduces Water Well to help cut down wasting water unknowingly. once the water tracking indicators installed in kitchens/bathrooms, the water meters transmit water consumption info to the indicators and the users' online accounts. users can visually monitoring water usage, compare their usage with general population's usage, and find out how much money they save.
Shelter - S. Lee Priceto reduce that number of outdoor equipment for people to carry, S. Lee Price created the 'Shelter.' it is a wearable temporary shelter for travelers or emergencies. it's inexpensive and easy to use. it's great for ultra-light travelers. with Shelter, they no longer need to carry sleeping bag, tent and rainwear.
ModalSync: Bicycles And Buses - A symbiosis of systems - Scott Stanilandcurrently, many cyclists in Greater Vancouver are unable to board the bus due to the occupied racks which only allows 2 bikes. Scott Staniland designs a system that increases the bicycle-carrying capacity of buses while enhancing the ease with which bicycles are loaded and unloaded. this system can encourage people to bike more and use public transits more.
Pila: Landscape Elements - Shora Parvavesh + Krystal WinstanleyShora Parvavesh and Krystal Winstanley's goal is to find higher value uses, other than pulp chips, for small dimensional blue stained sapwood. they've created this landscaping modular system to utilize this fibre to its full potential. the system includes fence, screen, trellis, flowerbox, and bench. users can customize the landscaping system to better suit their own living space.
Orbit Network: Portable social network - Spencer Hung
should I say this is the coolest 'matchmaker?' Spencer Hung developed this portable social network that allows users to meet real people, in the real world, in real time. users set up the profile, broadcast their personalities to other users, and then the Orbits notify them if there's a match nearby. users can exchange profiles and take photos of each other. they can also join Orbits together to create a bigger screen.
Sofa Thesis - Teale Merkely
not many people know how to put together a sofa. Teale Merkely's Sofa Thesis makes it possible. when you receive your sofa in a box, you're 9 steps away to a sturdy, comfortable sofa. This is also ideal for people who move around a lot; it's just great you can put your sofa in a flat box and carry it out of your door like that without damaging the sofa and/or the walls.
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COMMUNICATION DESIGNLotus Land: A visual language for Vancouver - Christine Thornton + Daniela Wein
Christine Thornton and Daniela Wein see the opportunity that 2010 Winter Olympic Games will generate for Vancouver. they collected and created an inventory of images, drawings, and photos of Vancouver's culture, entertainment, food, landscape, and environment. they then apply these images on to T-shirts as T-shirts are often a form of expression and identity. with Vancouverites wearing them and tourists buying them, these images can create a new sense of pride for the city.
Bella - Morii Tablate
eating disorder among young kids is becoming a serious problem. Morii Tablate addresses the importance to teach pre-teens how to appreciate their own beauty. this project helps them to establish healthy eating habits and feel great about themselves, and to broaden their perspective of beauty.
First Aid Kit for Large Breed Dogs - Vivian Lee
many dog owners don't have first aid knowledge when accidents happen to their dogs. Vivian Lee created this user-friendly kit to guide dog owner through the first aid procedures.
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VISUAL ARTS & GENERAL FINE ARTS
Unseen & Overlooked by Brandon David Schuster
a corner of the exhibition of Visual Art Department
(L)
Opus TwentytwoFour by Heekyung Im(B)
Dragon Boat Diaspora by Sean Ford Cannon(R)
The Philip Rawson Collection by Melissa HumeC
himaera - Kiae SoKiae So attempts to create hidden illusionary images from the wallpaper pattern. this work encourages the viewers to develop their own imagination. i connect to this piece right away because i do that a lot, especially with wallpaper making a comeback in design world.
Me & Jordy - Sara E. ArmstrongSara E. Armstrong uses partial images of the two people's faces to create this pattern.
another great example of turning old-school doily into something cool and modern. awhile ago, i saw the clear version of this side table in a random interior design photo and immediately wanted to know everything about it. designed by David Eveleigh & Melissa Evans, Miscellaneous' Doily is a flat pack, hand-finished, laser-cut occasional table. the design of the table was hand drawn, resulting in an irregular pattern based on a doily. available in clear, smoke and black perspex.
you have to admit that this is the coolest side table you've ever seen. hand-made in Denmark, every single table is unique. this design gives an illusion of a table cloth on a round table. made of 3mm PMMA acrylic. available in clear or white @ The Magazine.info & @ Velocity for $235US (clear) & $260US (white).
the crackled glass of this pendent lamp looks like the wings of a dragonfly. designer Oscar Tusquets Blanca's Helix for Leucos has 2 clear glass layers sandwiching the shattered glass to create depth and this great 3-dimensional effect. this large-scaled sculptural lamp has all the modern elements yet reminds me of the nature in an interesting way.
saw this study of Elium Studio awhile ago but recently reminded by reading the current issue of Dwell magazine... 'don't lie. you've always wanted to be able to sit back and watch your fluffy white bread turn a golden, crunchy brown right before your eyes. well, now you can, thanks to Elium's Clear toaster, which reveals the magical transformation in all its glories. the decision of how toasted you'd like your toast is now all yours. you can also easily decide when it's time to clean your appliance.'
oh! they look like delicious candies! i've heard different comments on these seats; some say they're surprisingly comfortable, some say they are just eye candies. designers Claudio Dondoli and Marco Pocci of the Siennese firm Studio Archirivolto Design collaborate on Mambo (below) and Max Mambo (above) can definitely spice up any space. made of resiliant transparent polypropylene. Max Mambo features a large (23.6"h x 29.5"dia), round seat attaching to a silver-painted steel base. Mambo features a swiveling, height-adjustable seat. both are available in blue, red, or clear. through Topdeq for $795US (Max) and $248US (Mambo).
Tokujin Yoshioka, one of Japan's most promising new designers, created this modern-form of tofu for Yamagiwa Japan in 2000. inspired by traditional food, Tofu is created using a delicate and advanced manufacturing and cutting technique. unlike other lamps, Tofu's significance is manifested through light, not the lamp. $560US for a mini tofu and $640US for a regular tofu. available @ nova68.
you want true modern design; i show you true modern design. lighting design guru Ingo Maurer created this magnificent table. made of black steel base, laminated safety glass and 278 white l.e.d.'s internally per leaf that emit light on both sides. no conductors or cables are visible. the metal bases are adjustable in height. you can dim the lights by using an external ballast. this innovative table is limited in production. if you are loaded and in love with it, you can get it @ unica home for $28875US.
it's about time to show you another fancy modern chandelier. this is not one of the newest design out there but definitely is one of my favorites. if i get to own one, i'll redecorate my whole space to go with it. designer Nigel Coates' chandelier, Gina, for Swarovski in 2002 is a provocative fusion of crystal and plexiglass in a fertile pomegranate-like form. who would've thought that plexiglass could look this extravagant? layers of plexiglass sheets and crystals create this pleasant visual effect.
it is amazing what different material and colour can do to a old-world style. artist and designer Harry Allen's latest release in the Reality Series is a polyster resin cast of an ornate picture frame. this frame no longer just frames an object; rather, it becomes an object itself. also available in white, gray and black. available for $190US @ retomodern.
the bright colours of the frame from the above post reminds of Studio JSPR's Plastic Fantasitc. its high style makes a focal point as indoor furniture; its special weather-resistant rubber coating treatment makes it great for outdoor use. it is fantastic plastic. the selected pieces here are Voltaire Unique (blue & white) and Baroque Sofa (Gold). available in all the colours you can imagine. 
just like salt and pepper together make food more tasty, different people make the world more beautiful. the design company Mint's bold use of black and white suggests that we are all brothers and sisters on this planet. the rethinking of a salt and pepper set on this level, as well the clever geometric aspect of the design and the inherent ergonomic and storage benefits that it provides all contribute to the designs universal appeal. available for $25US @ Follow Function.
always want to own a globe in your study but can't find any that would go well with your modern style? i have 2 great suggestions here. Cram Sheffield Globe (above) has a contemporary look with a classic touch. this raised relief globe has black oceans with white land masses, enhanced by clear gold lettering and accents. mounted on an elegant swan neck acrylic base. available for 58bp. Columbus Montecarlo Globe (below) is all about contemporary. this acrylic globe printed with silver continents and deep blue oceans. priced @ 64bp. both available @ Shopping Emporium.
remember the chromotherapy showerhead? now you are able to get taps with lights from many places. however, Equa System's Light Delight is a bit different. its colour varies according to the temperature of the water. it turns from blue to red as the water temperture goes up. it's more exciting and it's definitely safer for people who often accidentally get burns from hot water.
such a gorgeous chair! to me, this is like a woman wearing a simple dress to show off her beautiful back. Marzais Creations' M89 is made in aluminium and entirely covered in oak wire. the sides and the legs are tinited by using satiny chocolate varnish. the perfect curves of the back legs add a great deal of chic elegance to the piece. who said modern and elegance are contrary?
this wall scone from CB2 is a great piece to provide ambience. 5 intersecting black metal frames compose light and shadow within 5 glass shades with different heights. the geometric metal boxes gives a taste of modern and candle lights provides coziness. also i think that a wall sconce candle holder is good for people who have children and pets running around all the time. this peice can be used both indoors and outdoors. $50US @ CB2.
stainless-steel rods that are mounted on a concrete bases. indoor and outdoor versions are available.
wish you could find a better way to hide your home theather speakers? Artcoustic provides their clients with stylish solution. they have 8 basic colours to compliment your interior. you can also chose images from their artwork portfolio. better yet, you can also submit your own artwork or photography. each design is produced as a digital print and hand made into a speaker screen. now your speakers are multi-function; they give you not only the sound excitment but also visual enjoyment.
German designer Mareike Gast came up with this great concept - broken shelves - providing a more natural way of shelving books. these shelves give space to differently sized books. a special 'sitting' element is also available; an l.e.d. light is integrated for good reading. these shelves can be placed against the wall or stand freely in the room. be creative and play around with the placement of your books. it could become a great piece of visual art in your room. 
organic decorative elements can be really cool. here's a great example. Stone Forest's Aaisn-influenced sink brings your bathroom both calmness and style. the rough exterior finish looks natural, humble, and quiet; smooth and polished interior finish shows off the natural glitters. just like how we define 'inner beauty.' a great reminder when you wash your face every morning, eh? available in black granite (top), blue/gray granite, beige granite, crema marfil, , multi-colour Onyx, honey onyx, and white onyx. crema marfil, white onyx (below), and honey onyx are also available with polished exterior.
Livinglass provides style, privacy, and protection in one. with Livinglass, you can decorate any space with a touch of organic beauty in a modern form. its unique manufacturing process preserves the 3-d form of the chosen natural materials or sculptured fabrics. its UV protection makes the safety-glass panels impact-resistant; these panels don't discolour, fade, or craze. you can clean them with household cleaners or even powerful disinfectants. because of its quality, these panels can be used as partitions, doors, coutertops, furniture applications or even 'wet' applications.
designer Jasper Morrison designed these for Moooi in 2002. they're very basic but very versatile. they're great as extra seating options, side tables, kid's furniture, and planter stand, etc. use your imagination. made of dark agglomerate cork. $299US via Generate.
i was never a big fan of ceiling fan until i saw Mark Gajewski's Artemis for the first time. the perfect sculptural form and the high-tech style truely make this ceiling fan a piece of art. it looks different from every angle and its sensuous curved surfaces create many intriguing reflection. better yet, the natural shape of the blades creates no noise by cutting through the air in nearly total silence. 4 versions are available: translucent, mahogany, pearl off-white, and maple. $370US-$400US @ G Squared.
Form Naielsky's Glasklasen is a chandelier and a a repository for drinking glasses in one. designed by industrial designer Jorgen Pudeck and architects Gunnar Cedervall and Bjorn Stillefors, it gives an awesome reflections from the glasses, which create lights and patterns on surrounding surfaces in the room. although the price you pay does not include the glasses, you get to design your own chandelier by using the glasses you want. 3 surface treatments available: black lacquered, clear lacquere and chromium-plated. $379US(40-glass) & $319US(16-glass) through Generate.
designed by Australian designer Sally Dominguez for Mozzee, the Nest is a great combination of minimalist style and superior function. the stable tulip base allows parents to pull the chair right up to the table with no tripping hazards. the UV stabilized polyethylene seat and tray are machine washable. think the price's too high for a baby funiture? let me put it this way: the chair fits babies and children from 6-month to 6-year old. the removable try is for baby feeding. once your children are big enough, you can adjust the height of the chair for them to enjoy their own low chair or to join the adults for dinner. $575US through ModernSeed.
role and potential of a small park space in a densely urban area. she points out some interesting issues and gives suggestive solutions such as elevated ponds that won't need the usual chemical treatment, fewer turfed areas for lower energy usage for maintaining the park, and solar energy lighting system, etc.
Skycabin - Andreas Tiberiu Dracopol
generate discussion, awareness and understanding of the mental aspects of disability. the products include 'Mental Baggage,' a courier style bag and notebag with interchangeable flaps and custom inkblot and 'Not What We Seam' individual identity T-shirts.
specific purpose, Compost Vessel integrates itself into dining routines. after the meal is finished and the food waste is collected, the vessel can be emptied easily into a segregated organics recycling bin or a backyard composite.
Longitude 123: Fresh kitchen prep space - Clive Chan
Help: High-rise emergency location of people - Eric Olindan
if you just recently fell in love with Majong, this cardboard table set may be perfect for you. it's low cost, light weight, compact and portable. all Majong tiles and accessories can fit into the package. you can take the whole set to your friends without having to carry the traditional Majong table.
explorations and creativity. the selection of panels includes floor panels, roof panels, windows, trap-door, cushions, screens, ladders, and ramps, etc. the users can fully customize the Kidspace into a square, a pentagon, a house, a spaceship and endless other possibilities.
Energy Balance: A dish set that influences eating habits - Kathryn Forbes
falling in the water remains one of the most dangerous aspects of recreational boating. according to stats, most of the victims are male; thus, this product needs to be easy to carry and use for both male and female rescuers. Katie McKillop goes into extensive research to come up with 'Retriever.' it is an inflatable system that provides efficient way for the rescuer reboarding a hypothermic individual. its compact size and relatively light weight is easy to carry around. there are only few steps needed to set it up. these features should encourage boat lovers to prepare for this type of incidents.
One: Shoe design - Mark Lee
comes to use the furniture. for example, some people would use chairs as their temporary shelving unit for storage. inspired by people's creative ways of using furniture, he designed this modular customizable system.
pulling and running rods - Melissa Mailhiot
Shelter - S. Lee Price
ModalSync: Bicycles And Buses - A symbiosis of systems - Scott Staniland
Pila: Landscape Elements - Shora Parvavesh + Krystal Winstanley
not many people know how to put together a sofa. Teale Merkely's Sofa Thesis makes it possible. when you receive your sofa in a box, you're 9 steps away to a sturdy, comfortable sofa. This is also ideal for people who move around a lot; it's just great you can put your sofa in a flat box and carry it out of your door like that without damaging the sofa and/or the walls.
Christine Thornton and Daniela Wein see the opportunity that 2010 Winter Olympic Games will generate for Vancouver. they collected and created an inventory of images, drawings, and photos of Vancouver's culture, entertainment, food, landscape, and environment. they then apply these images on to T-shirts as T-shirts are often a form of expression and identity. with Vancouverites wearing them and tourists buying them, these images can create a new sense of pride for the city.
eating disorder among young kids is becoming a serious problem. Morii Tablate addresses the importance to teach pre-teens how to appreciate their own beauty. this project helps them to establish healthy eating habits and feel great about themselves, and to broaden their perspective of beauty.
many dog owners don't have first aid knowledge when accidents happen to their dogs. Vivian Lee created this user-friendly kit to guide dog owner through the first aid procedures.
himaera - Kiae So
Me & Jordy - Sara E. Armstrong
