LLeongPortfolio by self-employed

MAKING

DREAMS MEET

LIFE

Imagination is the catalyst. Life and experiences staged or coincidental, structured or natural are the inspiration. Art and engineering unite as soul and mind and from this interwoven synergy, Design is the culmination.

Good design is deliberate; a resolute, coherent, decisive statement. It makes an impact without external support or extraneous explanation. It is universal, lasting, and leaves an impression, whether acknowledged consciously or not. I have been a designer all my life, have made many articulations, and have continuously built upon and stretched my awareness of the meaning of design. My intuition was buttressed with engineering and elevated with the langugage of need and form. I am passionate and emotive. That intensity is distilled and channeled through my creations. These pages reflect me through multiple media. It fulfills me - this expression via manipulation of concept, material, visuals, and words. My creative side is not limited to these; these are simply some of the opportunities I have found or have been given. I look for ways to integrate design philosophies and practices within all aspects of my life and career. Enclosed is a snapshot of my development through 2008. Laurie Leong

DESIGN STYLE

USER-CENTRIC INTUITIVE LOGICAL FLUID FOCUSED VERSATILE MODULAR

SOPHISTICATED CLASSIC ELEGANT SIMPLE ALLURING REFLECTIVE ILLUMINATING copyright Laurie Leong, 2009

DESIGN PROCESS ZAZZLE PROFILE CARDS

1. Need-finding

2. Brainstorming

User interviews, competitor analysis

Ideation of purpose, form, features

5. Prototyping

6. Engineering

60+ functional prototypes created

Dimensions, material, form finalized

3. Concept Sketching

4. Form-Giving

Visualize form factor and functionality

Exploring visual and tactile solutions

7. Manufacturing

8. Marketing and Launch

Overseeing manufacturing in China

Software configurator UI and product

IDEATION

I lead energetic brainstorms to address a specifically-stated need. These are performed in a comfortable environment that encourages thoughtful creativity. The deliverable, detailed, context-relevant solutions are then evaluated for feasibility and impact after the brainstorm to determine the path forward.

STORYBOARDING

Telling a story whether a contextual snapshot or a process flow communicates dynamic purpose and user interaction. In visualizing a scenario, the creator communicates intent by context. copyright Laurie Leong, 2009

CONCEPTUAL SKETCHING HANDBAG DESIGNS

Modularity, versatility, aesthetics, and need-based functionality are part of my design language, as shown by these conceptual sketches.

Conceptual sketching is the first step in defining an idea by framing its characteristics and key functionalities. Shown here are my thoughts of a handbag/carrying case product family. The sketches above illustrate customization of a single bag form factor, and the sketches below emphasize potential configurations for differing functionality. These drawings led to the handbag prototype to the left, which I cut and sewed by hand. It features customized organizational elements and interchangeable decorative hardware.

FORM-GIVING

My first lesson in design was to look past the literal. I learned to challenge myself to find and convey the pure essence of a thought. I learned to make clean, beautiful designs.

Elsa-Peretti-styled pen made of synthetic wood, paint primer, metallic car paint

I learned that design is an evolutionary process, and that there are enormous changes between the first and final forms. I learned the language, and I found my voice.

Calla lily wireform made with 16-gauge wire

4-foot tall 窶話am made of coppe pipes, electrical sheet, and woo

mbooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lamp er plumbing l wire, copper od.

Modular light made of clear acrylic, iridescent film, and LED circuitry,

Kite made of rip-stop nylon and dowels. Visualized, learned to sew, and constructed within 48 hours. copyright Laurie Leong, 2009

PACKAGING ZAZZLE

Packaging and presentation is an integral portion of a design experience. As the user’s first impression, it establishes a sense of value and complements the product. Because of Zazzle’s unique user-generated content products, I utilized translucent materials to showcase both the user’s design and the Zazzle brand.

Coated electrostatic discharge bags and lenticular magnet

As part of my Zazzle packaging redesign, I populated the blank back side of the packing slip with content-relevant creative projects. The following project, a collaboration with Compai, was printed on orders including an adult T-shirt.

Packaging for a trendy limitededition apparel offering copyright Laurie Leong, 2009

PRODUCT DISPLAY ZAZZLE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

BEFORE C O N C E P T

I exercised a combination of spatial sense, design, and mechanical engineering when I took on this unconventional project of creating a product showcase. I single-handedly constructed this installation. Visualization to construction including component ordering, and trips to hardware stores - to completed assembly was two weeks.

AFTER

Skateboard and sneaker display I installed in the board room

Artsprojekt LABz limited-edition product display

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MIT

Yo-yo made with CAD, thermoforming, and injection molding techniques

Camera prototype made of 3D-printed cornstarch, resin, paint, and clay.

Above: This electromechanical wagon, a senior group design project, was put on display in the Smithsonian museum of natural history.

Left: This is the functional prototype for an automotive side mirror assembly that I proposed for my undergraduate thesis. The concept was put into production and can be found in most cars manufactured after 2001.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

I use Creative Suite: Illustrator and Photoshop to design graphics for apparel and prints that sell in the Zazzle.com marketplace.

PHOTOGRAPHY I shoot: PEOPLE FASHION EVENTS LANDSCAPES

ANIMALS NATURE CUISINE ABSTRACT MACRO

LIFE

JEWELRY-MAKING THEN

My love of creation began as a child, when I constructed LEGO palaces, wove paper into rings, and strung leaf-shaped sequins onto dental floss. I vowed to one day be able to create objects of professional quality and beauty, and have now achieved that goal.

NOW

DREAMS ARE REFLECTIONS OF THE HEART; LIFE, THE EXPRESSION OF THE SOUL. DREAMS, MEET LIFE.