YA LU N LEE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO
www.yalunlee.com
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yalun1128@gmail.com
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929.245.7060
YaLun Lee
In this portfolio, you can find selected works in recent years from company works and personal side projects. My passions for design is to find simple solutions to daily objects that is delightful in both function and aesthetics. Growing up in Taiwan and studying in the US let me always view things with curiosity and take cues in differences of culture/social pattern. Over the years of design from electronics to housewares, I am ready to take my curiosity and skills for the next challenge.
:: Tel :: E-mail :: Website
929-245-7060 yalun1128@gmail.com www.yalunlee.com
TA B L E
POCKET UTENSIL Houseware
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PEBBLE S
OF
CONTENTS
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Instrument Accessory ....12
STROLL UP Thesis Project
NEAT BENTO Houseware
3
PAMPHLET Electronic
....22
5 ....42
WEDGE CHAIR Furniture
4 ....32
6 ....54
PERSONAL PROJECTS
7 ....64
COMPANY WORKS
8 ....68
1 Pocket Utensil Set
Category ::Housewares Company :: Zoku,LLC
With the idea of expanding personal food-to-go products, we looked at reusable utensils that can replace the disposable plastic ones and pair with our existing Neat Stack™ Food Containers. Pocket Utensil Set was selected as the winner of 2020 Progressive Grocer Editor’s Pick and has been the best seller among all Zoku product since release in 2020.
How to open your utensil case? To kick off the project, I held a couple of brainstorm sessions with the team about interactions with the case. Our goal is to make the case simple and easy to understand but with practical details to address the common issues.
DE S I G N ED TO B E US E D ON T H E G O Opening the case without your finger touching the head of utensils became my focal point especially during the pandemic situation. Full size utensils were designed with minimal design language. The spoon and fork are stackable in any order to achieve a compact profile.
SILICONE HOLDER
HYGIENIC CASE Remove your utensils without having to touch them!
It holds the utensils snuggly so you won’t hear any rattling sound.
FORM FITTING CASE Pocket Utensil Set is designed to replace single use plastic for good! The neatly nesting set of 3 utensils includes a spoon, fork and knife. The utensils stow snugly into the slim travel case. The complete set is made to fit in a pocket, purse, backpack or lunch box. No sink? No problem, just put the dirty utensils back in the case and clean when you get home.
NE XT G EN ERAT I O N
CHOPSTICKS CASE To fulfill the needs in Asian market, an elongated chopsticks case is also considered with same design language and muted color ways
KIDS UTENSIL CASE With character printed on the case and bright color ways, the pocket utensil set also provides kids version that pair with Neat Bento product line.
2 Pebble S LIGHT WEIGHT PEDAL BOARD
Category :: Guitar accessory design Company :: Endaw, LLC
Pebble S is a light weight pedal board designed for musicians who needs to constantly travel. I worked on this project in my spared time through concept sketches, CAD modeling to prototyping.
LIGHT WEIGHT PEDAL BOARD WITH BEAUTY OF MACHINING Pebbles S is a light weight pedal board designed for musicians. The goal is to enhance its portability and utilize the lightness of the aluminum. The Pebble S celebrates the aesthetics of the metalic material and the simple, functional geometry.
Handle and Cell Phone Dock Ideation
HANDLE
CNC milled Aluminum / Matte Anodized
RAIL
Pebble S
Aluminum Extrusion
Dimension: 130 x 510 x 17 mm
BOTTOM CAP
CNC milled Aluminum / Matte Anodized
I NT EG RAT E D C E L L P H ON E DOCK The cell phone can fit in two ways, ideal either for music recording or voice tuning
Slip Clip™ CLIP TO ORGAN IZ E From the discussion we are aware of the common issues that cables underneath the board could become loose and troublesome — come off or cause a short circuit. Slip Clip system is a creative approach that helps organize and secure the cables. Its quick release mechanism is exclusively designed to fit under the board and to be easy to slide left to right and snap on/off.
S LID E TO TIGHTEN
SN A PS I N RA I L
3 N e at B e n t o
Category ::Housewares Company :: Zoku,LLC
Neat Bento™ is the first product of Zoku’s kids food-to-go category. It is designed for kids at 3 years and older and can potentially be used by adults as well with different color treatment. We aimed at a higher retial price point with innovative feature and useful functions.
™
A kids bento box to fit every lunch ideas This project started as looking at what kids pack for lunch and what products the market is offering. Often times we find sandwiches and chopped fruit/vegetable as the more popular choices together with prepackaged snack/drink and more liquid sides such as yogurt.
“...yogurt got warm by lunch time“ “...food choices are limited by the size of the compartment“
“...takes up so much space in backpack“
“.Food are mixed together, and the chips are all crushed..“
A DA PTABLE CO MPARTMENT With the extra containers in the lunch box, it naturally creates different ways of partitions to serve different needs.
NEAT BENTO™ Neat Bento™ is a lunch container for kids with practical functions and a boost of freezer pack to keep their fruits chilled for extra hours. It has two repositionable smaller-sized containers, a removable and microwavable tray, a freezer pack, and a carrying loop.
Repositionable Containers
CUSTOM I Z E YOUR COM PA RTM ENTS With two modular containers plus leak-proof lids (4.5oz and 2oz), crafty moms are encouraged to make delicious and nutritious meals with all different configurations. Containers are designed to nest in the removable tray with dedicated pockets, so they will keep your food from being mixed together even when it’s held side way.
NO M ORE SP I L L The small leakproof containers and watertight gaskets will keep your food liquid stay separated and secured between compartments. LEAKPROOF SMALL CONTA I N E RS
W AT E RT I G H T GA SK E T
MICROWAVA BL E TRAY
FRE E Z E R PAC K
CHI L L O R R EH E AT Place a freezer pack under the tray to keep the food fresh for extra hours . Or use the removable tray to reheat the food in the microwave.
KI DS F R I E N D LY C A R RY I N G LOOP Soft touch TPU handle makes Bento easy to carry. Containers also fit snug in tray and stay in place during transport.
PACKAG I N G A cut out window on the top corner reveals the carrying loop and can be hanged on a peg for alternative display.
STO R E DI S P LAY CON C E PT
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PA M P H L E T 7” ANDROID TABLET PC
Category :: Electronic Company :: Compal Electronics
Pamphlet was the very first electronic product that I conducted from the concept to the prototype phase while in Compal Electronics. In order to reach the needs of target customers and cost’s limitation, we provided an overall solution from target research to material/color definitions, combined with effective mechanical layout.
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Pamphlet 7” android tablet pc
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S U BT L E S U R FACE TRA N SITIO N
The frame surface changes from downward to upward in order to better adapt to different holding scenario.
Pamphlet 10” 10” android tablet pc
S O F T TO U C H G R IP
The back grip area features a patterned texture with soft touch finish.
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STROLL UP REIMAGINE AN U R B A N - F R I E N D LY S T R O L L E R
Category ::Thesis Project Advisor :: Katrin Mueller-Russo
Using a stroller in a subway station has been a longstanding problem for many young parents in New York City. This is one of the most notable and difficult issue young parents experience and puts a mobility barrier between them and their city. As an industrial designer, my role is to design a product that can change user behavior and lead to a better experience.
“ Using Strollers in New York city subway? ” Click to watch the animation
A City With An Unfriendly System Using strollers in a subway station has been a long standing problem for many young parents in New York City. The most challenging issue is to climb up and down the stairs; therefore, they commonly have to seek help from other passengers to get through the subway system. Another common problem is, due to its size, the stroller usually occupies too much space in the train and blocks the entrance.
of total 469 stations
No Elevator
5.6 Million daily ridership
According to the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority), average weekday ridership was 5.6 million in 2014, and only 85 among total 469 stations were accessible with elevators. Also, the MTA’s safety rules even state that people are not allowed to take an unfolded stroller on a bus.
No Unfolded strollers on the bus
Scenario Break Down This scenario was illustrated to present every keyframe and issue that would happen while a city parent taking the New York City subway.
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Then the stroller was lifted up to cross over a gap between the train and the platform while boarding.
After finally sitting in the train, she worried the stroller might take too much space and block the entrance for other passengers.
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A young mother encountered the entrance where she had to wait for someone’s help to carry the stroller through the staircase.
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Before entering the gate, she notified the subway staff to open the door for her.
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And the same issues appeared again when she got off and returned to the ground.
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Frequent Issues 1. 2. 3. 4.
Climb up and down the stairs Had to seek for other passenger’s help Block other passengers in the train Avoid the situation by planning ahead on only going to the stations that had elevators
Joel Wennerstrom Stroller Designer
“... concentrate on the ergonomics of the carrying, lifting, climbing, setting down and comfort issues. “
Darek Store Owner of Height Kids
“ I suggest you add straps on the back of the stroller, so that it is easier for people to carry when it is folded. “
Valeska, 27
“ Usually, if I go out with Callein, I will avoid going to a station that has no elevators. “
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Monica, 32
“ I always felt overwhelmed while taking the subway, especially if I had to climb those stairs at a crowded station. “
David, 38
“ I like using the carrier for my daughter, Helena since it is much easier for me to move around while taking the subway. “
Ximena, 29
“ I will use a smaller stroller if I take the train. “
Difference Between Carriers And Strollers AGILE
E A SY
MOR E E F FORT
CUMBERSOME
“ Can a stroller transform into a carrier in a quick and easy way? “
STROLL AND CARRY
LON G D U RATIO N
LO N G DU RATI O N
STRO L L
STRO L L CLIMB STA IRS EA SY TO CA R RY
Human Scale Study
IN THE SU BW AY CARS SAVE SPACE
EASY TO CARRY
Mechanism Exploration Load Carriage Study
Baby Carrier Test
CL IMB STAIRS
Material Exploration Quick Prototype
Full-scale Prototype
+ To make the transformation more
intuitive, I adopted the retractable self-locking mechanism, commonly found in suitcase design.
Retractable Frame
+
I was inspired by the beer vendors who frequently climbed the stairs with a vending tray carrying glasses of beer on the shoulders.
Handle inspiration
+ I worked closely with 3d printing industries. Functional mechanisms and precision were tested and modified efficiently.
Mechanism Test CAD Modeling
Color / Fabric study Final Model Assembly
is an urban-friendly stroller that allows young parents to independently adapt to the various, mass-transit situations in the city. It is designed to be easily transformed from a stroller to a baby carrier depending on different scenarios, to better align with a user’s need.
A Carriable Stroller Stroll Up differs from the many attempts to create a wheeled product that climbs the stairs. I started from the user’s perspective, creating the design by extracting the strengths of two conventional products, combining them with a creative yet practical approach. The handle is designed to fit human’s shoulder and covered with flexible, high-density foam that can provide extra cushion while being carried.
STROLL
RETRACT
CARRY
Stroll While Extended Due to its auto-locking retractable mechanism on the handle and the frame, users are able to easily transform Stroll Up and adapt to multiple applications - by simply pushing the button to unlock the mechanism, and extending or retracting the structure. When a young mother and her baby are going on a trip, Stroll Up can be used as a full-size stroller on flat ground when the handle and the frame are extended.
Click to watch the video
Save Space
Climb The Stairs
Stroll Up also saves much space in the train. While sitting in the train, Stroll Up allows the user to rest the stroller on one’s laps without blocking other passengers.
The user compresses Stroll Up into a carrier and easily walks up and down the steps and over varying levels in the underground subway system.
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WEDGE CHAIR A NEW APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTING FURNITURE
Category :: Furniture
Wedge chair is a lounge furniture inspired by brilliantly designed objects that commonly exist in life but with little people’s attention. I developed a simple wedge behind the back as the main joint and the curved seat derived from traditional eaves of Taiwanese architecture.
Inspired by everyday object 1
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1. Wedge shaped door stopper 2. Tapered wood joint 3. Taiwanese extended eave
Cultural Elements My main inspiration came from the wedge commonly used as door stoppers or wood joints. I also referred to the extended eaves derived from my culture. My goal was to incorporate these elements and use the wedge as a new approach to construct a chair both elegantly and ergonomically.
Easy To Re-assemble During my academic and working years, I am used to moving from one place to another. But moving furniture can be troublesome because it was either too bulky to move or too complex to take it apart and re-assemble. Furthermore, it was likely that some of the parts would be lost while transporting. Therefore, I wanted to design a furniture that is easy to build and transport.
QUICK EXPLORATION OF PAPER MODELS
FULL SCALE CARDBOARD MODEL
CAD MODELING & DRAFTING DIMENSIONS
CONTOUR CURVATURE & FULL SCALE PLYWOOD MODEL
USER TESTING & ALTERATION
MDF MOLD FOR BACK AND SEAT
LAMINATING VENEERS AND PRESSED MOULDING WITH VACUUM DEVICE
CUTTING MAPLE PLYWOOD WITH CNC ROUTER
3D PINTING RUBBER WEDGE
ASSEMBLING PARTS AND FINISHING
Wedge Chair DIMENSION 25.3 x 23.8 x 30.2 inch
3 D P R INT E D K E Y J O I N T
The structure was locked and reinforced by a wedgeshaped joint behind the back. Now with the help of 3D printing technique, users can print out their wedge joint from the online database with precise dimension and customized color.
Wedge Chair A New Approach Of Constructing Furniture
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Personal Projects
Stand Up Tray Stand Up Tray is a fun collaboration to bring a novel twist to an everyday object. In addition to its utilitarian use of serving food and drink from kitchen to your table, our tray stands up to paint a warm wooden color in living space when it’s not in use.
Stand Up Tray comes in two sizes, ideal for putting a cup of tea and a stack of apples.
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Company Work Samples
Thank You ! yalun1128@gmail.com www.yalunlee.com 929.245.7060