Designers are trained to approach situations in a visual way. Every complex idea, problem or interaction is translated to imagery. This way flawless communication is possible between the designers, clients, specialists, production and potential investors.

A clear visual representation of a situation or design relieves all the involved parties from common misconceptions.

First Prize Design Competition ProRail:

“Design a Sustainable Heater”

This prize winning concept improves the comfort and sustainability problems that are present with the current public heaters on the Dutch railway platforms. The concept is designed to heat the body in an efficient and comfortable way by directing all energy to the hands, wrists and the center of the body.

Keeping the thermal energy low and under a cover energy is used efficiently. The heater bar is an ideal place to wait for the train with fellow travelers on a cold winter day.

Design by:
Wouter Horstink & Marco van Leeuwen
First Prize - Design Competition ProRail
November 2011 

These images show an example of communicating design in an early stage. In a series of drawings and images we will visualize for instance the product, the user and its environment.

Using these visual representations the client and the designer can join their knowledge in a meeting and decide together on the appropriate project direction.

In this case it led to the more detailed design of the Embrace.

Design by:
Marco van Leeuwen
Project ‘Domestic Appliances’
Master Integrated Product Design, eind 2010 

Part of a TU Delft project the ‘Embrace’ embodies innovation for men. Focussing on life-style, image, user-experience and skin care the embrace tries to improve on the current market position of electric shavers. Many men believe electric razors to be damaging to the skin. The Embrace was designed to overrule this preconception.

The tactile experience of the ‘Embrace’ tries to live out a new approach on electric shaving.

 

Design by:
Marco van Leeuwen
Project ‘Domestic Appliances’
Master Integrated Product Design, eind 2010 

Construction-workers have to carry a lot of tools from their van to the construction site. Currently, they are often using wheelbarrows but these products do not fit into small vans and have to be lifted in.

The Hopper is a foldable transport solution that can easily be put into a van or car. The principle is inspired on an ambulance stretcher.

The Hopper is designed to assist construction workers in carrying their tools

This product is a typical example of a functional and user-centred design, thanks to intensive user-testing and field-research.

Design by:
Wouter Horstink
Bachelor final project for ‘PerfectPro’
Industrial Design Engineering, June 2010

A clock for the subway in the Netherlands, based on a vision that is inspired on the New Metropolis museum in Amsterdam.

The clock uses the breeze in the subwaytunnel as an energy source.

The design is all about the link between collecting energy and using it directly. The complete journey of this energyflow is made visible to stimulate the curiousity of people in their daily routine.

1. The subway train causes a breeze in the tunnel
2. The Fan stores energy by winding up the weight.
3. The weight causes the clock to work.

Design by:
Wouter Horstink
Fictional assignment for NEMO Amsterdam
Industrieel Ontwerpen, 2010

This project is part of a second year design assignment at Industrial Design Engineering. Students start out with an old patent and redesign it as a modern kitchen appliance.

Design by:
Marco van Leeuwen (as part of a group)
Second year Bachelor Project
Industrial Design Engineering, 2008

De opdracht om een icoon als de Renault 4 te herontwerpen is een uitdaging voor elke ontwerper. Deze uitdaging ligt voornamelijk in de vormgeving, de balans tussen de herkenbaarheid van het oude ontwerp en de vernieuwing waar de huidige markt om vraagt.

Met oog op de groeiende problemen veroorzaakt door onze consumptiemaatschappij is er gekozen de auto gedeeltelijk af te werken met ruwe, gerecyclede materialen. Op deze manier hoopt het ontwerp twee dingen te bereiken:

• Auto’s worden weer gezien als gebruiksvoorwerpen, een toevoeging aan het leven van de gebruiker. Dit in tegenstelling tot de gelikte, fragiele, eigen identiteit die de huidige auto’s lijken te hebben.
• De persoonlijke stijl die de gebruiker toevoegt aan zijn auto zorgt voor levenslange sentimentele waarde.

Ontwerp door:
Marco van Leeuwen
‘RENAULT 4 ever’ design competitie
Designboom.com, Augustus 2011 

(Deelnemers: 3273, ‘Renault 4intage’ is geselecteerd bij de laatste 50)