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Field Trip 2: Red Dot Museum — Celine Goh Shi Ying

Overview of Field Trip

The museum trip was organised by Stephanie and it saw us going through a series of exhibits which ‘previews the future’. 

The exhibition showcased novelty and aesthetic designs and inventions collated through the Red Dot Award For Design Concept organised by Singapore.

We were free to roam about the 2 floors of the museum and engaged in some of the interactive exhibits! Some of those exhibited were actually wearables (although I forgot to snap a picture of it) similar to that of your handy-dandy apron studio Prof!

An electronic violin
Puding BeanQ Robot

One such novelty invention was Pudding BeanQ, an intelligent robot for young children in China.

It takes inspiration from a bean waiting for sprouting,who comes to earth with curiosity and wants to become a buddy with children. To activate it, we just had to shout out ‘Puding Puding!’ and voice out whatever questions we have for the little robot.

Besides that, touching the two sides of its body and head makes you feel like having a pet. For instance, when you pat its head, Puding will display heart-shaped eyes to indicate that it likes the touch.

Supported by extensive perception and characteristic emotions, children can chat and be educated by this intelligent little robot.

Personal Insights and Reflections

While visiting the museum, I was intrigued that there were so many novelty innovations around such as Puding BeanQ which utilised recent advanced technology. Whilst having the knowledge that such technology are proliferating nowadays, the solidification of the idea that novel innovations are produced everyday, break the limits of reality, was only sank in after the museum trip.

It was also heartening to find that Singapore actually supports such creative artistic spaces such as the Red Dot Museum and also encourages the expansion of the creative landscape through competitions like the Red Dot Design Concept.

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Explore Practitioners 1 + Field Trip 1: Theo10 — Celine Goh Shi Ying

Local brand funded by Spring Singapore, Theo10’s products are created from 100% natural ingredients sourced globally. Cream bases contain beeswax (harvested from Italian bees), American peppermint essential oil (air-flown in to preserve its efficacy) and Indian neem oil (Cold pressed to ensure the highest yield of beneficial components).

Theo10 Director Theodore Khng, came down personally to conduct the workshop specially which was located at the Singapore Visitor Centre.  

Process Documentation

During the Workshop we were given the opportunity to create ouor very own moisturiser and insect repellant.

Moisturiser:

A combination of aloe vera and beeswax was the organic cream base we used for our moisturiser. Theodore mentioned that all Theo10’s products are good for eczema and was the brand was created to aid people with sensitive skin ailments.

First, we collected a small sample of cream and were told to drop a maximum of 10 essential oil drops into our metal canisters.
Then, using the glass rod, stir the mixture till the essential oils were fully Incorporated into the cream.

My moisturiser was a combination of Rose Otto and Lavender which had the benefits of anti-oxidants, reduction of anxiety and helps in skin complexion, burns and wounds!

Theodore explaining the concept of Theo10

Insect Repellant:

First, we were given a sample of 2ml of the organic Neem base which smelled interestingly like fish oil and soy sauce combined. Combined with 10ml of water, the base mixture of the repellant was formed.
Then, again Theodore assigned us with the task of using the essential oils to mask the putrid stench of the base. 
The insect repellant was wind-proof and also had a shelf life of 5 years.

Me and Darren’s Fruity Insect Repellant

Tools Used

Moisturiser:
Metal Canister
Glass Rod
Essential Oils

Insect Repellant:
2 ml Organic Neem Base
10ml Water
Glass Spray
Essential Oils

Pain Points

Initially, when Theodore first started Theo10, he mentioned that the tedious part of the process was making the cream base by himself, stirring the pot continuously for hours and also making the moisturisers by hand one by one dropping the essential oils into the mini metal canisters.

However, that was years ago. Now, Theo10 has factories which machine-produce the moisturisers and products in big batches so this was not a pain point for Theodore anymore.

Class Picture with Theodore!