Yingfei Zhuo-Portfolio

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CONTENTS

BIOBLEND

BIO-MATERIAL / FURNITURE

PLUGSWAP

ELECTRICAL / SUSTAINABLE

PAPERA

BIO-MATERIAL / UX

CLIP-TRASH

PRODUCT / TYPOLOGY

ONE-DAY

PRODUCT / MOCKUP

RE-GARDEN

PRODUCT / STRUCTURE

RAINBOW SHARDS

LIGHTING / MATERIAL

BioBlend - New material design based on the concept of sustainability, which can be applied to traditional furniture and fabric design to replace the traditional environmentally unfriendly materials such as plastics and resins.

BioBlend is a range of bioplastic & bio-resin furniture made from Milkweed fiber as raw material. Traditional plastic materials tend to cause serious pollution to the environment, and as they reach the end of their useful life, they are permanently present in the soil and the ocean.

Therefore, designer find a more environmentally friendly alternative, such as the use of plant fibres that can grow in the soil itself to make materials similar to plastic and resin. This material can be ultra-high temperature completely melted into a harmless liquid, but also can be directly discarded with time completely degraded. Technically, this bioplastic material not only have a certain degree of support as hard plastics, but can also be made into bio-fabrics that can be cut and sewn after adjusting the proportions.

25 Mile

RESEARCH

- Milkweed Cultivation and the Use of Plastic

- Background

Use Coarse Yarn:

- Individual Knitting - Mixed Color Knitting - Knitting On Acrylic Sheet [Single & Double Sided] Female Cerulean Warbler

KNIT

BLEND

Male Cerulean Warbler NESTING

NEST DESCRIPTION

Together male and female Cerulean Warblers choose the nesting location. Females weave together bark fibers, grass stems, and hair that they bind together with spiderwebs to form a cup-shaped nest.

Males occasionally help collect spiderwebs at the beginning of nest construction.

Cerulean Warbler (Migration Range) Cerulean Warbler (Breeding Range) Bruchus Pisorum (Pea Weevil) 450 Mile

Bruchus Pisorum (Pea Weevil)

DELAMATER LocData DELAMATER CitSci V2 Common Pokeweed Macro Plastic Litter Load Normal Warning Alert

EXPERIMENT - Raw Material

- Process Moistened Plant Fiber

- Experimental Samples

Video of Bio-plastic Production

Jelly Fabric

During Drying

- Translucent

DESIGN PROCESS - Moodboard

- Sketches & Process Model

- Structure

PRODUCTION

Use as a Stool

Use as a Table

Use as a Side Table

PlugSwap - Portable Power Hub: a revolution in user-centred sustainable design.

Designed for the conscious traveler and the eco-aware consumer, the PlugSwap boasts modular replaceable sockets, allowing users to tailor socket configurations to their needs. Made with eco-friendly materials, it ensures got easily repaired and reduced electronic waste by letting users replace individual sockets rather than the entire strip. Its sleek and compact design not only fits seamlessly into modern living spaces but also slips effortlessly into travel bags. Whether you‘re at home or on-the-go, the PlugSwap is a adaptable, sustainable, and travel-ready power solution.

BACKGROUND - Problem

- System Material Diagram Oversized Plugs

Messy Wires

Retailers/ Distributors

Package Production

Energy Factory

Transportation (Truck)

Mining Factory (Iron)

Not Enough Socket Space

Incompatible Plug Shapes

Mining Factory (Nickle)

Transportation (Railroad/Shipping)

Product Production (Product Shell)

Transportation (Railroad/Shipping)

Global Assembling (Packing)

Transportation (Railroad/Shipping)

Repair

> Modular Power Strip Traditional Power Strip Broken socket needs to be disassembled and repaired Hard to carry with

A New Solution

Mining Factory (Cooper) Synthetic Production (PCB)

Modular sockets make repair easier Customize it to fit different international standards Easier to carry with

Recycled

Transportation (Truck)

End - Users

Petrochemical Industry

Mining Factory (Clay)

Design Center (Company/Agency/Academy)

Landfill

Dumping

5cm 15cm

5cm 15cm

5cm

Top View

5cm

2.5cm

Side View 2.5cm

1.2cm

5cm

4cm

Bottom View 5cm

4cm

5cm 15cm 5cm 15cm 2.5cm

2.5cm

Socket

0.5cm

3.75cm 0.5cm

0.5cm 1.2cm

3.75cm

Section

0.5cm 1.2cm

5cm

3.75cm

5cm

3.75cm

Chassis

1.2cm

SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT > Traditional Power Strip

- Lids Wheel Analysis

> PlugSwap

Old Product New Product

Papera - Build a new hotel booking platform, exploring the development of systematic sustainable solutions to enhance the green travel experience in hotels.

PAPERA introduces a groundbreaking approach to the hotel booking experience, merging digital innovation with eco-conscious practices to revolutionize the way travelers engage with sustainability. This platform stands out as a novel solution in the travel industry by not only offering a booking service but also fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among hotel guests.

The key features are integrating physical eco-friendly practices with a digital system to promote environmentally conscious behaviors among hotel guests. The digital interface implements a sustainable hotel ranking system, amenities focused on sustainability, and a green credit system designed to guide and reward customer behaviors.

Background - Problem

Solid Waste in Hotel Industry

Current Status of Recycled Paper

Disposable toiletries provided by hotels for guests' convenience and as a symbol of their stay are exacerbating environmental problems. Single-use plastic items typically do not end up in landfills or are recycled. 32% of the 7-8 million tons of plastic packaging produced each year ends up in the ocean.

> Reliable Recycling Paper Company

- Target Group

> Luxurious Hotel

Sorting

> Business Hotel

Grading

Abundance of Waste

Paper is widely used in daily life.

Converting it into materials with more properties can reduce dependence on natural resources.

Packaging Degradability of Paper

By converting paper waste into biomaterials, the risk of long-term pollution can be reduced by replacing other materials.

Shipping Mature Technology

Paper recycling technology are relatively mature, which provides a foundation for the early stage of the project.

> Paper Handling Diagram

Public

Urban Waste

Poly Filmed Paper

As sustainable tourism grows in popularity, more and more hotels are looking to adopt sustainable practices when it comes to disposables to meet customer expectations and reduce environmental impact.

Logging

Debarking / Chipping/etc...

Design Opportunity

Design Opportunity

Pain Point

Pain Point

Corrugated Paper

Companies

Recycled

Design Opportunity

Design Opportunity

Most disposable materials are difficult to break down and recycle.

Paper-based bioplastic products are easy to recycle and compost.

MRF

Material Facility Recovery

A large surplus of other single-use items are thrown away before they can be put to optimal use.

Paper Factory

Filtrating / Tall oil reacting / Pulp washing / Bleaching / Mixing / dandy rolling / etc...

Pain Point

Paper-based bioplastic products will replace plasticbased disposable products.

Printed News

Wood Factory

Pain Point

Most travelers rely on the small items that hotels provide for free.

> Budget Hotel

Forest

> Pain Points & Design Opportunity Analysis

How can these single-use items be better integrated into hotel sustainable management?

Disposable items create a clean and hygienic feel to the environment.

How can sustainable single-use products become a hotel promotion?

Material

- Production Method Physical Method

The paper is made again according to traditional recycling procedures.

STEP 1 : Tear into pieces

STEP 2 : Soak the paper

- Experimental Sample Chemical Method

Bio-based adhesives are added to bind shredded paper.

STEP 1 : Add bio-glue

STEP 4 : Stir to pieces

STEP 3 : Soak the paper

STEP 4 : Mixed heating

STEP 5 : Dissolve fully

STEP 6 : Take paper

STEP 5 : Pour into mold

STEP 6 : Cool down

STEP 8 : Dry

STEP 7 : Demoulding

[1] Pure Pulp -Physical Method

[2] [1] Pure Pulp with Seeds -Physical Method

[3] Recycled Pulp -Physical Method

[4] Isinglass -Chemical Method

15g

15g 3g

30g

10g 5g

Papier Mache

Papier Mache Grass Seed

Recycled Paper

Papier Mache Isinglass

STEP 2 : Add glycerin

STEP 3 : Put in blender

STEP 7 : Absorb water

- Performance Test

STEP 8 : Bake dehydration

[5] Agar-Agar -Chemical Method

[6] Gelatin -Chemical Method

[7] Carrageenan -Chemical Method

[8] Carrageenan -Chemical Method

15g Papier Mache 5g Agar-Agar 1g Glycerin

15g 15g Papier Mache 5gGelatin 1gGlycerin

15g 2g 1g

30g 2g 1g

[9] Carrageenan -Chemical Method

[10] Carrageenan -Chemical Method

[11] Eco-Friendly Resin -Physical Method

[12] Pine Resin -Physical Method

15g Recycled Paper 2g Carrageenan 1g Glycerin

30g 2g 1g

15g 15g

15g 5g 2g

Recycled Paper Carrageenan Glycerin

Papier Mache Carrageenan Glycerin

Papier Mache Eco-Friendly Resin

Papier Mache Carrageenan Glycerin

Recycled Paper Pine Resin Beeswax

The material combinations intended to be used in the product are selected based on experimental results and material testing.

Design Process - Sketches

- Production

Design System > Logo

> Buttons Vitality Bio-Tech Fiber Clean Texture

> Colors > Icons > Typography

> Tertiary & Chips

Platform Wireframe - User Flow Chart

> Tab Bar

Prototyping

Clip-Trash - Changing the dumping function of garbage cans used in kitchens to make sorting and recycling of kitchen waste faster and cleaner, thus increasing the public's willingness and efficiency in collecting and dumping food waste.

In order to better address the serious environmental problems caused by poor garbage disposal, countries have launched garbage separation campaigns, requiring residents to separate their garbage to facilitate subsequent disposal. However, due to the fact that it is dirty to collect or dispose of food waste, the residents are resistant to the actual operation, which hinders the promotion of the garbage classification movement.

On this basis, a trash can suitable for food waste was designed in an attempt to solve the problems of difficult collection, odor, and easy to get hands on food waste in the dumping process. It can improve users' willingness and efficiency in collecting and dumping food waste. It is also hoped that the garbage can will further promote the waste separation movement and the benign development of the environment.

RESEARCH

- Background

- Brainstorm

- Persona DAY 1

DAY 2 NAME: Linda GENDER: Female AGE: 23 RESIDENCE: Alone PLACE: school, apartment

NAME: Drif GENDER: Male AGE: 26 RESIDENCE: With his wife PLACE: company, apartment

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTRICS 1.Take out the kitchen trash twice a week.

2.Awareness of kitchen waste sorting and will follow rules when sorting.

3.Sorting kitchen waste needs to become habitual, and easier collection and disposal methods are very helpful.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTRICS 1.Throwing out kitchen garbage when the trash can is full or smells bad.

2.Know the general rules for sorting kitchen waste and will do so when not in a hurry.

3.It is hoped that waste sorting will become quick and efficient, and without the burden of sanitation issues.

> Where is it?

Traditional garbage cans are far from the sink and many people are reluctant to separate their garbage for collection, so line analysis was used to help guide the collection of food waste to determine the ideal location for the garbage cans.

> What is its size?

DAY 3

Ordinary garbage cans generally have a large capacity. Food waste thrown into ordinary garbage cans has to be piled up to a certain volume before it can be discarded, which usually takes a few days and brings bacteria and odors.

Easily accessible paper boxes and the daily volume of kitchen waste are used for reference to determine what the appropriate size of a garbage can is, aiming to shorten the disposal interval, form the habit of throwing away garbage every day and reduce the growth of bacteria.

DESIGN PROCESS - Concept

- Sketches

Associate the food waste process with the closing and opening of the CLAMP to separate food waste from trash cans and garbage bags.

Using Process of Clamp

Into the Ideal Process of Throwing Kitchen Waste

If the lower part of the garbage bag can be opened, during daily use and transportation, the lower opening is caught by the bottom of the garbage can, and when dumping food waste, as the garbage can opens, the lower part of the garbage bag opens as well, and the food waste is dumped out, thus avoiding getting hands dirty.

- Process Model

- Detail

- 3D Model

PROTOTYPE

One-Day

First Prize - Collab’s Student Design Competition in 2022

- Designed based on an educational concept, the clock connects time with the change of day and night and can be decorative at the same time.

One-Day is a multiple-purpose clock, Combining weather and time, which is designed to be in a transparent form so that one can see the time and the weather at the same time, giving users the ability to adjust the horizontal line for different seasons and different regions. Mounting the clock on the window where you can change the outside weather and read the time at the same time. One day shows 24 hours of a day.

It can be used for both adults and kids (6+), as an educational device. Manipulating the horizontal line that helps a kid to understand the shift of sunset and sunrise time in 24 hours which changes in every other season. The transparency of the product helps a user to understand the outside weather in real time, which is beneficial to everyday users.

DESIGN PROCESS - Problem

- Moodboard

- Sketches

Restricted Design

Single Function

- Key Elements

Placement Limitations

Market Research Innovative Design

Modern Elements Design Trend Analysis

Customer Feedback

Appearance Design

24 Hours Rotation Appearance Integration

Transparent Material

Sunrise And Sunset

Versatility Dial Rotation

PRODUCTION

- Technical Drawing

- Exploded View

- Using Process Horizon Line

Front View Clock Surface

Calibration Point Pointer

(specific time)

Sunset Pointer

SUMMER 2 PM

Sunrise Pointer

Side View

Battery Box Cover Turning Rings Battery Battery Box Suction Cup

WINTER 2 AM

PRODUCTION - Rendering Model

- Physical Model

Battery Box Battery

- Usage Diagram Suction Cup

Calibration Point

Horizon Line

Clock Surface Battery Box Cover

Turning Rings

Sunrise/Sunset Pointer

One-Day Usage Video

Re-Garden - The design of this candle holder is based on the background of traditional Chinese culture, associating the windows of the Suzhou Garden with the lampshade to realize the change of light and shadow.

Inspired by the external forms and internal meanings of traditional Chinese Suzhou gardens, the family of these there projects is applied Wto the expression of light in daily life through a combination of non-traditional materials and distinctive coloring methods. For example, the pattern of each piece on the product comes from the doors and windows in traditional Chinese gardens, and the changes in light and shadow that occur during use reflect the concept of "the landscape changing with people's movement" in Suzhou gardens. The designer reinterprets the application and possibilities of the ancient Chinese garden concept in modern life through materials and structures.

With blue-green as the base color of the material, the warm yellow candlelight will cast shadows in the nearby environment. The shape of the candelabra above each outer piece resembles the roof of a pavilion in a Suzhou garden.

DESIGN PROCESS - Ideation

- Exploded View

Suzhou Garden with its unique architectural style and exquisite design elements has always attracted people's attention. In Suzhou gardens, lanterns, windows and arches are typical elements with a strong cultural background and historical value.

The design aims to incorporate the cultural essence of Suzhou Garden. The shape and ornamentation of the candlestick will refer to these elements, allowing people to feel the flavor of the Suzhou Garden in their homes.

Lantern

- Sketches

Window

Pavilion

Arch

Usage Video

PRODUCTION

Rainbow Shards - Using the interaction of natural light and materials to form a light refraction effect, the rainbow color fragments are fixed on the wall.

It is well known that colored light is produced by the decomposition of white light. Through the reflection and refraction of light, the phenomenon of rainbow of different sizes occurs.

In the design process, designers use a special light-transmitting material to break down white light into different dazzling colors in the spectrum, and then use these rays in their creations. In this way a colorful work of art is born from the combination of white light refraction and glass.

DESIGN PROCESS

- Inspiration

- Experiment Experiment A

Experiment B

Experiment C

Under the light, the CD will reflect some beautiful rainbows. Laser film based on this principle is also widely used in many products. Therefore, the designer tries to find another material with this kind of film to apply the reflected colored light to artistic creations or lighting-related products.

- Research

Dichroic is a colourless optical coating that selectively reflects certain wavelengths of light. This allows the remaining wavelengths to transmit through, producing a variety of rainbow coloured shadows and projections. The material itself shifts from being reflective like a golden mirror to vibrantly coloured or almost transparent depending upon the viewpoint and angle of light.

In Normal Ambient Light

In Direct Sunlight

Cross Structures In Direct Sunlight

The results of two sets of comparative experiments show that the material can produce rich light changes after stacking multiple pieces in sunlight. In addition, in the absence of direct sunlight, there will also be a light-colored single-light change.

- Moodboard

- Sketches Continuous repeating pieces are inserted to obtain a large surface. Through the combination of interwoven structure and light refraction and reflection, we try to achieve unexpected light and shadow effects.

MODEL

PRODUCTION

- Experiment

- Effect

Two Pieces

Five Pieces

Three Pieces

Seven Pieces