Tag Archives: Kevin Chiam

LG’s Foldable + flexible OLED screen can be carried like a folio bag!

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A foldable phone and rollable TV are considered passe – that is the bane of innovation that finds us always looking for the next big thing! But, soon, you will be able to wear a screen around the wrist or even carry a display like a briefcase. If this scenario seems animated, industrial designer Kevin Chiam has stretched the limits of flexibility and conceived a portable LG branded OLED screen that you can carry along like a folio bag.

Companies like LG, TCL, Royole (the Chinese manufacturer who pioneered foldable phones), and more brands have experimented with rollable, bendable, and stretchable displays. The concept Chaim has envisioned for LG, however, throws open the domain for more enticing applications. It is directed toward the urban nomads working remotely and are always on the move, ready to explore options at work, home, and anywhere in between.

Dubbed the Folio – visibly because of its shape inspired by a folio bag – this conceptual display design works as a modular entertainment system featuring an extremely thin yet flexible 32-inch LG OLED screen with a leather back. The screen is fastened by cylindrical aluminum arms – with integrated magnetic clasps – on either end, and it can fold up in the middle and close seamlessly with the magnetic clasps. In addition, the display becomes its own carrying case has a handle attached to it for convenience on the go.

When unfolded, the display has infinite uses – entertainment, gaming, or even to display digital information and artwork. In addition, the magnetic clasps on the arms in the display’s open orientation can be used to connect speakers, cameras, and other accessories to the screen. Being extremely flexible and modular in design, the Folio complements a user’s ever-changing lifestyle by transitioning between work and play!

Designer: Kevin Chiam

This wearable Air Conditioner cools you + lets you breathe cool air, making you summer ready!

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Summertime brings relentless heatwaves and the frustrating spells of chapping under the sun. Sure you can take shelter in the cozy confines of your home cooled down by the air conditioner, but in real-life situations, you’ll have to step out from time to time outside in the scorching heat. There are battery-powered portable AC’s that last for two hours on a single charge – but if you like something that can go on and on without the need to worry about the battery running dry in the middle of a meltdown spell, this creative wearable has got you covered.

Saiga is the result of a team project by the Royal College of Art & Imperial College London, Innovation Design Engineering students – Harry Barber, Kevin Chiam, Wei Haw Huang, and Nacho Vilanova. This wearable neck air conditioner makes use of conduction to cool down the area around the neck using the user’s own breath. So why did these mindful students design a prototype that needs very negligible external battery power? For a simple reason – the air conditioners are energy demanding and adversely affect the environment as they increase the environmental temperature and are also polluting in the long run. How one feels around the neck contributes a lot to the perception of environmental temperature, and the Saiga neck wearable does exactly that.

It provides cooling by conduction of air onto specific parts of the neck and breathing in cold air through the mouth further provides added relief when the temperature gets too hot – thereby improving the thermal comfort when in hot environments. The device works when sweat is detected – making it work in tandem with the body to feel comfortable when it is needed. The prototype version makes use of the Peltier chips (running at under 2W for a low power alternative) strategically placed around the neck area (back and the sides), and a phase-changing material that cools down the air when breathed through the mouthpiece. It is basically about cooling down the neck area rather than the whole environment to give the sensation of a perceived colder environment that it actually is!

Designer: Imperial College of London Students – Harry Barber, Kevin Chiam, Wei Haw Huang, Nacho Vilanova





Stickies on a Roll!

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What good is a sticky note without a pen? With the Moment Pen, you never have to ask that question. The two-in-one design combines both into one handy unit that’s perfect for leaving notes, reminders, and lists where you need. The body of the pen itself is actually a roll of sticky notes with adhesive backing that can be refilled when you run out. Simply grab a corner, peel off the paper, write your note, and stick! Compact and convenient, it’s perfect for carrying around in your bag, backpack, or purse.

Designer: Kevin Chiam

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Cooking with Confidence

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Even when you have your eyesight, cooking can be a daunting task! For those with vision impairments, it’s next to impossible. Folks, however, is a series of familiar kitchen tools adjusted to blind individuals’ sensory strengths. Each of the 5 tools leverages on natural, sensory feedback and tactile cues so users can prepare food safely with independence, confidence and dignity.

Designer: Kevin Chiam

KNIFE: features a retractable guard that serves as a physical anchor and guides the fingers during the cutting process. This encourages blade contact and makes it safer to use. It also makes it possible to clean any food that may be stuck to be easily cleared from the blade.

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CHOPPING BOARD: features a side tray that rests freely on the sides of the chopping board’s valley. This acts as an extension of the hand to gather and efficiently transfer ingredients with less spillage.

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STOVE RING: has a terraced profile that allows the user to effectively recognize the burner’s boundaries, eliminating unnecessary probing. It also centralizes and secures cookware in place during the cooking process to prevent topples and spills.

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POT LID: provides a convenient nesting spot for kitchen tools or ingredients. An ergonomic handle and dipped shape also make it easy to transfer food.

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TEASPOON: features an integrated float that rises as liquids are added into a given vessel. When the float touches the user’s fingers, which are normally situated near the rim of the vessel, it informs the water level and prevents contents from overflowing.

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Not Your Grandma’s Old Lamp

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(Though it might look like it!) From afar, the Silhouette lamp might look like your run-of-the-mill floor lamp… but take a closer look and you’ll see it’s anything but average!

It earns its name from the visual illusion of a shade created by its frame. A near flat LED is cleverly placed where light would shine through a normal shade to further enhance the illusion. Above the light source, a flat surface makes a perfect place for plants, decor other other objects of display! Near the base, a cleverly designed cable management system helps organize and keep excess cord out of the way.

Designer: Kevin Chiam

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