During my year of study in Industrial Design at the Technical University of Eindhoven (TU Eindhoven), I had the opportunity to engage in several impactful design projects. Among these, two projects stand out due to their innovative approach and collaboration with notable companies.
The first significant project was a collaboration with Van Bommel, a renowned shoemaker, and Five Fingers, to design a new type of climbing shoe. Our goal was to create a shoe that offered a climbing experience more akin to being barefoot, addressing climbers' needs for both protection and freedom in harsh climbing environments. The shoe featured integrated electronics to measure weight distribution, providing valuable feedback for improving climbing technique. This design, notable for its heel-less construction, garnered interest from various companies, showcasing its innovative approach to enhancing the climbing experience.
The second project focused on improving the learning environment for children in the first three years of primary school. In collaboration with Philips Desso, we designed an interactive carpet that addressed children's difficulties in maintaining attention and engagement. Utilizing Philips Desso's technology, which integrates LEDs into carpets for airport signaling, we adapted this for educational use. The carpet displayed simple symbols and images relevant to early primary education, offering an alternative to smart boards that were often unsuitable for young children's needs. Although the project was in its early stages, we explored the incorporation of additional sensors to enhance interactivity, aiming to create a more engaging and effective learning space.
Chat-GPT generated image capturing a surreal moment of a squirrel utilizing laughing gas (N2O), inspired by Eric Alblas's perspectives as discussed in interview De Correspondent
