Tsu-han Kuo Portfolio
Create ideas that bring joy and simplicity into life Design products that are not only well-functioned but also friendly in use Seek for the balance among forms, materials and productions Find successful combinations of oriental culture and innovative technology
TSU-HAN KUO Joanne
Address: Yperstraat 178, 2611SK, Delft, the Netherlands Mobile: +31-639880429 Email: JoanneKuo818@hotmail.com Date of birth: 18/08/1986
Education 2009-2011
MSc Integrated Product Design (IPD), Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE), TU Delft, the Netherlands
2007-2008
Product Design Pre-Master Program at Asia International Educational Center (AIC), Taipei, Taiwan
2004-2008
B.S.E. Mechanical Engineering (ME) National Taiwan University (NTU), Taipei, Taiwan
Work Experience 2011/02-2011/08 2010/02-2010/04 2009/02-2009/06
Internship at Mblades/ Dijkstra & Kuipers V.O.F Designing protective gear for Historical European Swordfighting (HES) Student Assistant of IDE Bachelor Course: IO2060 Interaction and Electronics, TU Delft, the Netherlands Full time job at Grizzly Electrodynamics Corporation Position: Marketing and Mechanical Engineer
Academic and Extracurricular Activities 2009-2011
Grduation project: Design a hand-and-forearm protective gear for Historical European Swordfighting (HES) Dancer of SNC Demo Team, Sport and Culture Center, TU Delft Domestic appliance project: Solving Storage Problem of PHILIPS Household Vacuum Cleaner (Focusing on Chinese Market) Research Project: Track and Trace System for Medical Instruments with RFID Technology (Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven) Project: Design a Dutch Garden for 2011 Xi’an International Horticultural Exposition (Alliance-NL)
2004-2008
Aerobic and street dancer, Aerobics Team, NTU (2006-2008) Research Project of Bachelor Special Topics: Surface Modification and Heat Treatment (2006-2007) National Taiwan University Presidential Award from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, NTU (2005, 2006 and 2007) Student Association of NTU Mechanical Engineering Department, member of Art & Commercial Group (2007) NTU Volunteer Club: Children of Sea (2006) NTU Fencing Team (2004-2007)
Skills Software 3D: Alias Studio Tools / Rhino / ProE 2D: Adobe PhotoShop / Adobe Illustrator Language Proficiency Chinese: Native language English: Reading (good), Listening (very good) Speaking (very good), Writing (good)
Hobbies Sports: Traveling: Drawing: Arts:
Fencing, Aerobic dancing, Street dancing, Fitness Europe, South-east Asia, East Asia Japanese comic style, watercolor painting Theater, Design Museum
Protective Gear
Package
Domestic Appliance
ScaleProtect
Devil
Vase Vac.
Hand-and-forearm protective gear for Historical European Swordfighting
Perfume set: package and logo design
PHILIPS household vacuum cleaner for Chinese market
Tableware
Landscape
Design Practice
Workshop Practice
Specular Spin
2011 Xian Expo
Design Manifestation
Workshop
Coffee cup set
Dutch Pavilion design with NL-Alliance
ScaleProtect
ScaleProtect
ScaleProtect Hand and forearm protective gear for Historical European SwordďŹ ghting MSc Integrated Product Design / Graduation Project It was a 7-month (2011/02 - 2011/08) MSc graduation project in co-operation with two Historical European SwordďŹ ghting (HES) related corporations: Mblades and Malienkolders. The project is about designing a hand-and-forearm protective gear for HES, which has been reconstructed by modern practitioners during the past decade. The project was accomplished by an individual student with a supervisory team, which consists of menters from TU Delft and the both companies. The deliverables include a working prototype which can be tested and a safety validation.
ScaleProtect
The Problems
Analysis
The currently used protective gears in Historical European Swordfighting (HES) are mainly borrowed from lacrosse, fencing and other kinds of modern sports. The problems of current hand and arm protective gear can be seen in the following three aspects:
3 months of analysis had been accomplished in order to obtain deep insight about Historical European Swordfighting (HES), through on-line survey, club visiting, video observation, and literature study.
Protection Protective equipment specifically designed for Historical European Swordfighting is scarcely available. Swordfighting practitioners still get injuries while wearing the existing protection gears, particularly in the hands and forearms. Mobility There is always a contradiction between level of protection and freedom of movement. In most cases, more protective gear on the body is going to restrict the movements and reduce the mobility. Appearance Currently used protective gear borrowed from other sports or martial arts does not represent the spirit and the context of Historical European Swordfighting.
The research includes injury investigation, movement analysis, protective mechanics study, and material exploration. Ten to twelve design criteria have been defined based on the findings in terms of safety, mobility, and aesthetics, etc.
Injury distribution
Video analysis
Market Research
Design Mood Borad Salse price 100~150 EUR
Easy to be cleaned
Light
High mobility
Durable
Well protection
High sensitivity
Easy to put on and take o
4 dierent sizes
The expected price range (salse price) of the new design (based on the on-line survey) The estimated market position in which the new design will be
Comfortable
Modern with historical element
ScaleProtect
Aesthetic Mood Board
Currently the protection gear borrowed from other sports or martial arts does not represent the context of Historical European Swordfighting. The new product should translate the current phase of this revival martial art. From the aesthetic angle, the design should contain and redefine the historical element and reflect contemporary fashion. Key words: fantasy, energetic, elegant, strong, and sportive.
Idea Sketches
Design Aspects
Concept proposals Concept proposals are developed according to the conclusions from the idea generation. The design focus on the three aspects mentioned in the problem definitions: protection, mobility and aesthetics.
Protection PET-g outer shell - Impact distribution PU based foam - Impact absorption Mobility Motions at the fingers: holding, grabbing and grips transition. Motions at the wrists: almost 360 degree rotating. Motions at the forearms: twisting.
Thick Padding Blocks
Single Finger Plate
Scale Protect
Knuckle Rings
Appearance Historical element will be applied to the modern design, representing the current development of this medieval martial art.
According to the previous analysis, basically the entire hand (especially the thumbs and fingertips) must be protected against high speed impact force from the steel sword, while the fingers and the wrists must stay in high mobility (flexibility) at the same time in order to well perform the swordfighting techniques. Therefore, the concepts emphasize on applying the protective mechanics into the movable parts. By combining stiff and soft materials, the design can provide required protection while allowing excellent swordfighting movements.
ScaleProtect
Testing and Prototyping ScaleProtect concept has been chosen for the first prototype due to its promising protection and good flexibility. By applying stiff outer shell above soft impact absorption foam, the protective level can thus be enhanced. Mobility is allowed by the structures designed on the gloves, and therefore it will not affect the performance of swordfighting techniques. Forearm protection is adjustable at the inner side. Several material samples were tested before making the prototype, and the combination of PET-g hard shell and PU based energy absorbing foam was chosen due to PET-g is easier to vacuum shaped than Polycarbonate or ABS while providing required protection. The unique PU foam (provided by Rogers Corporation) which can withstand high speed impact was selected ensure the protection, mobility and ventilation of the design.
“ScaleProtect” solves several problems of the currently used protective gloves, mainly borrowed from fencing, lacrosse and other modern sports. The combination of stiff plastic shell and soft PU foam enhances the level of protection, while reducing the entire thickness of the protective material. In this way, the gloves become much lighter and more compact. The textile at the fingertips is good for gripping the sword. The spring structure designed at the wrist provides good freedom of motion. With “ScaleProtect”, transitions among different types of grips become easier and less restricted.
Devil
Scent of Women
Devil
Package Design: Perfume Set
Lifestyle of Capricious Women Scent of Devil
Scent of Women
Devil
Inspiration “I only wear Chanel No.5 at night!” said Marilyn Monroe. The line has become a motto which branded a sexy and luscious image to fragrances. Other than brand, flavoring essence, famous spokesperson, and the design of commercial, the most important part of a perfume is its beautiful bottle that captures the eyes of thousands of people. Believing that the ultimate best perfume can truly interpret the beauty and the unique attractiveness of charming women with both of its scent and vision, I tried to design a set of perfume package that would transform the spirits into the vitalities of women. As everyone plays various roles in life, women may show divers traits and characters in different places at different moment. By viewing those glamorous natures of women, I suddenly came out with an idea to mold the perfume’s character according to the lifestyles of women. “Things that represent people come from within.” That was how I started my initial brainstorming of this package design.
Scent of Women
Devil
Conceptualization From day to night, at work and at rest, women show various characters by playing different roles in particular situations: being bright and active at work; staying cute and sweet in a date; being energetic and confident during exercising (fitness, dancing or performance); showing a coquettishly gorgeous figure at a prom. Based on the above descriptions, a set of perfume bottles, containing four designs, is thus created; named as Alfar, Nymph, Diva, and Vamp respectively. Each name represents an enchantress which possesses a corresponding characteristic.
8:00
14:00
18:00
Work
Date
Sport
Alfar
Nymph
Diva
Brand Name : Brand Image : charming / attractive / enchanting seductive / capricious / sexy a little bit evil Target group : women from age 20 to 40
Sketches 23:00
Prom
Vamp
Scent of Women
Devil
BOXES
BOTTLES
Material : Comet Paper
Material : Ground Glass
Color : Yellow Pearl Dark Blue Magenta Pearl Brown Orange Size : 50 x 50 x 165 (mm) 50 x 50 x 140 (mm)
Alfar Vamp Nymph Diva Alfar & Vamp Nymph & Diva
PACKAGE
Material : Paper Box Color : Black / White / Gold Size : 220 x 170 x 60 (mm)
Alfar
Nymph
Diva
Vamp
Paint Color : Yellow Green Lemon Yellow Gold Pearl Text Color : Black Size : 45 x 45 x 155 (mm)
Paint Color : Midium Magenta Text Color : Gold Pearl Black Size : 40 x 40 x 130 (mm)
Paint Color : Perma. Orange Yellow Text Color : Black Size : 40 x 40 x 130 (mm)
Paint Color : Violet Black Text Color : Gold Pearl Black Size : 45 x 45 x 155 (mm)
SHOW CARDS Material : Comet Paper Color : Yellow Pearl Dark Blue Magenta Pearl Brown Orange Size : 100 x 50 (mm)
Alfar Vamp Nymph Diva
Vase Vac.
Vase Vac.
Vase Vac. Floor Care & Storage
Vase Vac. is a household vacuum cleaner designed to meet Chinese culture and living habits. Since ‘vase’ conveys very special blessing of being ‘safe and well’ and is commonly seen in Chinese family, the design of Vase Vac. is to offer a successful combination of storage and interior decoration. The idea is to store vacuum cleaner as a vase in the living room when it is not in use, while only needing few simple setups to make it ready for cleaning. Vase Vac. is an upright model, containing a battery and a charging base. This provides compact volume and high mobility for cleaning movements.
Charging LED
Handle (Power Switch and Dust Indicating LED)
Vase Vac.
Concept Sketches
Target Group Female Relative high income 25~40 years old Lives in an apartment with limited room (60~80m2) Has at least 1 child Lives in a big city in the south east China Has little time for cleaning the house due to her busy life Stands open for new techniques and products
Mood Board
Family care
Compact & High mobility
Elegant
Easy to use
Fits into environment
Light weight
Pull out the handle and get ready to clean
Turn the cabinent cap for taking out the dust chamber
The handle will lift up a bit once the button (on the top) has been pushed, so that the user can easily pull out the handle. The handle can be bent with an angle which is easier for controlling while vacuum cleaning.
Pull out the hiding tube and get ready to clean
Stored as an interior decoration
Yellow arrows indicate the air ow while vacuum cleaning
4
15
Handle Joint
16
Power Switch LED Dust collection indicating light
Power Supply (China):
31
Filtering system: Battery:
110
Cleaning duration per charge: Space cleaned per charge:
7
Motor & Fan
Charging time:
17
Dust Chamber & Filter
10
Dimension of the Vase Vac: Nozzle
Price:
Charge base
Capacity of dust chamber:
2
28
Suction power:
12
Material:
20 FRONT VIEW
Weight: Dimension of the charge base:
Battery Nozzle
71
65
15
4 10
Vase Vac.
SpeciďŹ cation
SIDE VIEW
STORAGE
LED
input 220V/ 50Hz cyclonic Long life 9.6V Ni-MH battery 15~20 minutes 82.7m2 ~ 100m2 8~10hr per time 3kg~4kg 28cm × 20cm × 6cm 28cm × 12cm × 110 cm 100 ~ 150 euro 1L 250W ABS charge indicating light
Specular Spin
Specular Spin
Cup Reflection
SPIN
Salver Pedestal
Food Design
Original prints on the salver
The design is for creating new experience when sipping a cup of coffee. Tea time is no longer providing only a short break from frustration, but offering an opportunity to create a relaxing atmosphere for innovative inspirations. Original prints on the salver are reflected by the specular surface of the cup (made by stainless steel). By spinning the salver, reflections will circulate round the cup’s surface and end up with different combination every time when the salver stops turning. “Specular Spin” is going to take away your attention from the job, and instead, focusing on the dancing stars. Probabilities and uncertainties created by the spinning salver make sipping of coffee more than just ordinary, by adding unique playfulness.
Rotating salver
Wake up with the aroma of coee, and pick up lucky stars for a gorgeous day; Take a rest with the fragrance of tea, and get fantastic ideas in your peculiar way...
Specular Spin
Idea sketches A roulette pindle reflected onto the surface of the cup
Original Print
Reflection
Mood Board Feel
Function Contain liquid
Probability
Leisurely & Carefree Happy & Fun
Interaction
Cup Material : stainless steel Size : 35mm (radius) 50mm (height) Salver Material : ceramics Size : 65mm (radius) 15mm (height) Pedestal Material : ceramics Size : 63mm (radius) 6mm (height)
Form Smooth & Graceful
Glittering
Translucent
Colorful
2011 Xian Expo
2011 Xian Expo
2011 Xian Expo International Horticultural Exposition Dutch Pavilion 天人長安
意自然
This project was in cooperation with Alliance-NL for designing a Dutch pavilion for 2011 Xi’an International Horticultural Exposition. The aim is to show a sustainable plan for future eco-city of Xi’an, including waterrecycle systems and cradle to cradle concepts. The pavilion is going to provide people in China harmonious experiences with nature, with the way that those people were already familiar.
The project integrated the traditional Chinese culture into the modern Dutch-style garden. ‘Water’ played a very important role in Chinese history so as the Dutch one; a levada system was therefore built in this garden in order to link the common experience between the Dutch and the Chinese. People could sit on the side of levada system and put paper ships (made by their entrance tickets) or wine vessels in the water, making poems or writing notes, recalling their memory of the past and enjoying the harmonious atmosphere within the sustainable pavilion.
2011 Xian Expo
Spring Vessels In the past, Chinese poets usually sit along the wandering stream in spring time, releasing several cups of wine oating from the top of the river. Once a cup stops in front of someone, that person has to come up with a poem or to drink the wine. The design is going to introduce the traditional fashion to the future generation, combining culture from the west and the east, through the respect and love to the water and the nature. The idea of this project is to introduce the sustainable solution by building a modern Dutch garden in Xian, while integrating an ancient Chinese activity during the 2011 exposition. The concept can recall the ancient memory about the care of nature, showing the possibility for tradition to ďŹ t into modern technology. A series of glass boards will be built along part of the levada system for visitors to leave their notes, poems, or riddles on the boards. Visitors can exchange their ideas about the future eco-city of Xian by leaving their messages on the glass board. Levada system not only provides a place for people to relax and enjoy the waterside, but also shows the water reclycling system which can be applied to the future city of Xian.
W
Chinese people were trained to learn things by playing with words through poems and riddles. By writing down their ideas at the end of journey, Chinese visitors can look deeply into the culture and technology from the Netherlands, transferring into a new language for them to communicate with in the future.
T
Whole landscapde proposed by NL-Alliance
The ancient Chinese wine game
Top view of the entire idea
People release their paper boats, filled with wishes and blessing
The position where the “Spring Vessels” concept is proposed
Several glass boards are built along part of the levada system, for visitors to leave their poems and riddles
Design Manifestation
Design Manifestation
Design Manifestation Design Practice
A poem was written based on the features of an original product, such as a furniture, a domestic appliance, or a consumer product. Then, the poem was switched to another team member who did not know what the original product was, and the person had to come up with a new design according to the poem, no matter the new design was the same as the original one or not. This practice can inspire new ideas and creative concepts.
Poem You, you give me warmth and comfort cradle me, protect me, enable me surround me with your bold look, shielding me from criticism I’ll hide inside and keep looking at the ground edgy, harsh, immune, you make me I do not care what they say, so don’t make a sound.
Anlysis ( I ) Feature = Soft inside / Solid outside Function = Cradle / Protect / Shield / Hide Immune / Enable ( = gain confidence) Situation = Keep looking at the ground (Looking at the ground in front while riding) Appearance = Edgy / Harsh / Bold look Don’t make a sound = Quiet / Shut up
Helmet Shield with helmet, Protect our head. Warm but Cool, Masculine, Technical, Sporty, and Confident.
The two designs are based on the same poem; each represents a possible answer from the same description. I would like to show the contradictions I encountered while reading the poem. The product described in the poem can be either masculine and powerful or feminine and gentle. Therefore, I come up with two designs according my feelings about the poem. Fashionable boots and stylish helmet are both wearable products, having bold look in different ways. Both products have soft inner layer which can provide warm and safe feelings, confidence can thus be generated. Being covered by good looking helmet or boots, criticism is no longer a concern. So just shut up!!! Do not make a sound.
Analysis ( II ) Touch / Skin = Warmth / Comfort Function = Cradle / Protect / Shield / Hide Immune / Enable ( = earn confidence) Situation = Keep looking at the ground (Looking at the ground to see the fashionable boots) Appearance = Bold look / Edgy / Harsh No sound: Quiet / Shut up
Boots Cradle with boots, Protect our foot. Soften and Fashion, Feminine, Crisp, Sexy and Confident.
The Combinations
Workshop
workshop
Workshop The practice I paid particular attention to the course: workshop practice and engineering graphics during my fouryear bachelor education. It was really a pleasure to fabricate products by graphics. Though the memories of the horrible noises and intimidating enormous machines are still vivid, when I recall the moment I behold the golden steel-windmill and silver aluminum-swan in my hands, the jubilant satisfaction was really worthwhile.
Design for better life, Design for happier moment, Design for the future...