sumajin

MAKING OF AN IDEA :

I decide that it was the right time to revamp some of my sketches of candles to an physical product. It took about 2 days to get the design right. As it had a fluid design and should look nice from all directions.We decide to use tea candles as we feel that this type of candles has the most standard size, lots of varieties in colours and affordable.You can choose to use scented candles if you like. 

We  decided that we should showcase this candle stand at the London 100% 2006 design show.We looked at many material but decided on using Aluminum which was perfect;as it will be light weight and we can plate it to give us different finishing effect.It took only a few days to get the prototype which was milled from solid block of lightweight very durable air craft grade aluminum.Which was later polished to give us that gloss mirror finish.

Our design also gives the impression that its floating moving on the table top.The actual product did not disappoint us.The design turned out great. Its weight was a surprising 1.4KG though. “WOW”. I always had this impression that aluminum was light weight. 

MEANING OF THE PRODUCT :

Currently we looking into creating a range of candle for our new interest; which is geared for the resort living lifestyle. We have taken an common sight of sunshine and clouds of being near the equator as use this as our design language. We see these clouds everyday from our window. Singapore is an island on which we have our studio. Although our island is now very modern; i still like to romance of a place where we can relax with sunny weather with its large white clouds and gentle breeze. Maybe images of this is still fresh in me;just reminising of our last get away vacation. 

Clouds are for ever moving and are never the same.We have name our candle stand ” Cumulus.” As its design is also meant to be moved around the house. We will see our product moves around the world; where ever the end destination i hope you enjoy its use. As you will; like us have your own story on how you came about to own a “ Cumulus “.

**Cumulus clouds are puffy. They have flat bottoms and are low in the sky. Cumulus clouds usually mean fair weather. If they grow tall, they can become thunderheads and bring rain.** 

Clouds candle is still under development and we hope to introduce it before Christmas 2006.

We recently introduced our Cotton T-shirt for our on-line store. It was a fun experience for us at sumajin. I always wanted to get involve with designing T-shirts as a i find this to be a refreshing break from product design.I have always admired the illustrations of graphic designers and thought to myself that i should explore as a designer.

Recently after a business trip to Thailand and having been inspired by the creativity of the Thai; i had renewed interest in developing T-shirts. We decided to have a theme to begin with. As you know they are many ways to express yourself when it comes to using designs on a T-shirt and the market was full of it.Everybody is making t-shirts and some have done well through retailing them in our saturated market. Not to mention what the manufacturers are pumping them out in containers from around Asia. Its still an affordable way to express yourself through using designs.
So we decided to refocus and define a topic we want to say with these T-shirt.We decided it would be interesting to start, based on a ” Music ON ” idea; if not all; a majority of us can relate to this scenario. Listening to ouriPod/Mp3 /Disc-man on the way to somewhere or just resting on your bed. Getting that personal space i call it.

Why don’t we create a T-shirt that has a signage element, We like to create an invisible link between music users; no words needs to be exchanged its all graphic. Its not about which player you use MOBILE/MP3 ; its more about using technology and enjoying the use of music ;expanding the theme “MUSIC ON”.

We used our FLEX champion character to extend this graphically.Keeping it clean by using simple line work.The colours you choose will depend on how much you would want to be noticed. We hope to use this T-shirt as a base to explore design communications.