Haowen Khor

An industrial designer passionate about creating visually striking and functional designs that enhance everyday life. I aim to blend creativity with practicality, focusing on sustainability. Growing up in Malaysia, the cultural diversity of indigenous, Chinese, Indian, and Malay influences inspires my work, allowing me to integrate traditional and modern elements. My early love for making models led me to pursue Industrial Design, where I find excitement in transforming ideas into finished products.

The Issue of Distraction

It is a common issue for people to procrastinate due to external distractions, resulting in reduced productivity and less time dedicated to meaningful, goal-oriented tasks. I often find myself distracted by noise from my neighbors, and with limited desk storage, the cluttered environment leaves me feeling disorganized and constantly behind on my assignments.

Research

Research and interviews reveal that a lack of desk organization is a common challenge among university students, often impacting productivity without them even realizing it. The need to maximize space and enhance organization became essential elements in designing the EchoGlow.

Design Journey

Inspired by the need for organization and noise reduction, EchoGlow evolved through multiple design iterations, each focused on maintaining an aesthetically pleasing look. Every stage brought new challenges and valuable feedback from peers, ultimately shaping a solution that effectively addresses both organization, noise distraction and aesthetics.

Manufacturing the EchoGlow: Social Impacts

Keeping sustainability at the forefront, EchoGlow incorporates recycled denim insulation as its sound-absorbing element. Additionally, it’s designed to be shipped in flat-packs, reducing its carbon footprint by optimizing transportation efficiency.

Form follows Function

What’s the value of a design solution without aesthetics? Through various design iterations, a smart lighting element was introduced as both a functional and visual enhancement. When not programmed, it serves as ambient lighting to foster a productive atmosphere; when activated, the lights can change colors in response to IFTTT inputs, like notifications or missed calls.

EchoGlow: Illuminate, Organize, Focus

Functional and stylish, EchoGlow is a sound panel that does it all: immersive acoustics, dynamic smart lighting, customizable organization storage, and a sleek shelf.

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