Magnitude: Groundbreaking Innovations, a series of human-centered design solutions by 17 Filipino designers, addresses issues on sustainability, productivity, health, and safety to enhance the quality of life of its users. The importance of material development, environmental design, and bio-waste management were likewise considered.
Conceptualized and created by the budding talents from the Industrial Design Program of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), the works integrated design philosophies with technology to meet the demands of the modern consumer.
To champion circularity, CeliaWorks by Mikaela Asuncion introduced how the mycelium in fungi can serve as a binding agent to wood waste, resulting in an organic, durable, and lightweight composite. Pomtex by Rika Higashi highlighted how the by-products of pomelo fruits may be converted into a fire retardant and humidity-resistant material.
To promote long-term ecological balance, Brianna Khu’s Bukopel revolutionized retail packaging for self-care products using coconut agricultural waste. Sue Oblepias’ Parafilter gravity-fed filtration system showcased a more efficient and affordable way to purify tap water using coconut fiber and coconut-activated charcoal.
Several proposals focused on the organization of physical spaces. Austin Panti’s Aatos, an adjustable ergonomic armchair, accommodated left- and right-handed primary learners and fostered excellent posture during extended study sessions.
Ysabella Villaverde’s VISILLA, an improved gang chair for airport passengers, featured reclining seats, mini tables, charging outlets, and storage systems. Kenji Del Rosario’s MOKU, an avant-garde outdoor ventilation system inspired by the airflow patterns of termite mounds, incorporated TEFLON funnel and delicate orchestration of moisture and temperature gradients.
Other creations aimed to boost efficiency and effectiveness. Kasalo, a redesign of the traditional ice cream cart by Jewel Baltazar, featured horizontal and vertical grips for comfortable maneuvering, swivel wheels with a stopper for stability, and a removable cooler for effortless cleaning. IGAH, a coffee bean dryer by Glenn Laurence Hernandez, is completed by an advanced rotating mechanism, strategically positioned fans and heat lamps, a control panel, and a safety monitoring program.
Under the well-being category, INSURIN, a vacuum-insulated diabetic care kit by Derick Chen, came with spacious pockets for essentials such as glucometer, syringes, and lancets and kept temperature-sensitive medicine cool for hours.
PULSO, a heart monitoring-alerting system by Kathlyn Go, was equipped with ECG technology and an alerting pendant for comprehensive supervision of heart rhythm, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels.
Mary Joyce Curia’s Geknu, an assistive knee support for patellar tendonitis rehabilitation, presented personalized progress thanks to an integrated mobile app, an accelerometer for real-time position feedback, and gyroscope smart technology for measuring angular velocity.
Angelica Ibit’s Malia, a rechargeable menstrual management device that utilized heat therapy, featured a foldable pad, elastic belt for security and gentle compression, three heat settings, and an automatic shut-off.
Inspired by the armadillo’s natural defense mechanism of curling into a protective shell, RJ Mallari’s ARMA collapsible helmet included light signal indicators for the visibility of urban bike commuters and offered compact portability when not in use.
Also designed for cyclists who bear the scorching weather, Juan Carlos Prado’s ArcticPro arm sleeve presented active external cooling technology through moisture-wicking fabrics and gel packs that strategically targeted pulse points.
To prevent heat-related complications for dogs, Raphael Amparo’s Furbool KoolK9 provided cooling through evaporation and refrigerated gel packs, which are stored in the front pocket near the chest and stomach areas.
Ideal for hard-of-hearing individuals, the Sagip emergency alert device by Joyce Genesis Vasquez delved into wearability, relays alerts through vibrotactile signals, and allows direct communication between the transmitter and the gadget.
