Dezeen School Shows: a vehicle powered by electricity intended for use in urban areas is included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Also included is a project exploring the psychological effects of food packaging and a jacket suitable for various weather conditions.

University of Illinois Chicago

Institution: University of Illinois Chicago
School: School of Design
Course: MDES Industrial Design
Tutors: MDES Faculty

School statement:

"Our Master of Design (MDes) in Industrial Design programme aims to broaden students' worldviews and deepen their understanding of their roles as designers through studio classes, workshops, seminars, lectures, visits and opportunities for regional and international travel.

"MDes student design projects are not merely formal and aesthetic propositions but also profound explorations that scrutinize the complex interplay between the natural and artificial elements in society and global culture.

"Concluding the programme, each MDes student explores a topic of inquiry in which they contextualise and formulate a position and develop tangible designerly responses.

"This process entails a broad range of engagement and adopts a holistic approach, encouraging and empowering students to blend theory with practice."

Cumulus by Sadaf Jalali

"Function and aesthetics are not mutually exclusive, but are complementary aspects of design.

"Cumulus is a stylish jacket that provides a convenient way to stay dry and comfortable on days that come in like a lion and go out like a lamb – it is a versatile jacket crafted for urbanites navigating the unpredictable elements of city living.

"This stylish garment merges fashion with function, ensuring that utility never sacrifices style – lightweight, reversible and durable, it effortlessly adapts to changing weather conditions, requiring minimal effort and minor adjustment from windbreaker to jacket to raincoat.

"Cumulus offers a convenient solution for temperamental spring and fall weather, providing comfort and protection while showcasing innovative design in challenging urban environments."

Student: Sadaf Jalali
Course: MDES Industrial Design
Email: sadafjalali1997[at]gmail.com

The Ultimate Object by Hamed Gholami

"As a musician, I sought a highly refined instrument that was affordable, extremely durable and repairable, portable, formally refined and ritualistic.

"Through careful consideration of function, aesthetics, symbolism, usability, activity facilitation, self-expression and social interaction, this violin evokes a range of emotions and stands as an exemplar for the promises and pleasures of engineering design.

"The Ultimate Object achieves its status through an innovative modular design.

"Except for its metal strings, tuners and electronics, the entire instrument is produced and maintained through additive manufacturing workflows with accessible materials.

"The Ultimate Object is democratic and sustainable while simultaneously activating the six primary sources of emotions in human-product interactions."

Student: Hamed Gholami
Course: MDES Industrial Design
Email: hgholami.design[at]gmail.com

Talk To Me by Azadeh Ghalehnovi

"Talk to Me is a wearable digital device that allows a child to log feelings, emotions and events, and generates prompts to help parents engage in conversations with their children.

"Globally, families can be categorised into four distinct types – two of these types, the 'laissez-faire' family and the 'protective' family, are characterised by low levels of communication and their interactions involve limited topics.

"Although these families are not equally divided, according to the global population, half of these families face challenges in discussing emotions and everyday events and often have difficulty communicating due to their lack of shared experience.

"Currently, there is no specialised tool to assist these family members in developing tailored communication strategies and prompts – meaningful communication is the lifeblood of healthy family dynamics, it exerts a profound impact on the emotional, psychological and overall wellbeing of both children and parents; but not all families talk.

"Talk To Me provides parents with entry points into family conversations that centre on the daily experiences of the children."

Student: Azadeh Ghalehnovi
Course: MDES Industrial Design
Email: aghalehnovi[at]gmail.com

Flat World by Andrew Lee

"The smartphone promised to expand the human experience through freedom of choice and seemingly unlimited possibilities – despite the promise of choice, however, many users develop habits of mindless consumption that lead to a narrowing of experience.

"Digital experiences are largely driven by invisible algorithms designed to predict desires in order to maximise engagement – because these algorithms are incredibly effective at anticipating and shaping desire, they pigeonhole people within a recognisable radius of comfort and thereby limit the scope of experienced culture.

"The result for the individual is a digital and socio-technical ecosystem that becomes increasingly shallow and unfulfilling.

"Flat World is a family of critical yet commercially viable products that reframe three features of the smartphone as separate, single-function objects: the camera, the radio and the telephone.

"Through new methods of interaction, Flat World critiques how smartphones dilute our lived experience – the project proposes that substituting the algorithm with uncurated serendipity may present users with opportunities to develop a healthier relationship with technology and have a more authentic lived experience."

Student: Andrew Lee
Course: MDES Industrial Design
Email: leeyandrew[at]gmail.com

Quotidian Encounters by Alissa Touranachun

"By associating the experience of food preparation and consumption with positive emotions and memories, lasting emotional engagement can be achieved and meaningfully transcend the commercial aims of food products.

"The pervasive industrialised food economy has caused an emotional disconnection between people and the food they eat – meaningful product-mediated experience is not promoted through the utilitarian, convenient nature of many contemporary food products and their packaging.

"In response, there is value in recognising the packaging's intrinsic potential of increasing emotional engagement within the food consumption experience.

"Leveraging gestures derived from culinary techniques and traditional food practice, Quotidian Encounters elevates otherwise banal food experiences into gastronomic events.

"This project demonstrates how the industry can shift from a cost-driven practice to a value-driven practice by employing engaging tactile and dynamic physical design to increase consumer satisfaction and provide positive psychological experiences for day-to-day wellbeing."

Student: Alissa Touranachun
Course: MDES Industrial Design
Email: alissa_trnc[at]outlook.com

GetGo by Murphy La

"Mobility is not a luxury but a need for millions of people.

"As urban populations swell and city traffic becomes more congested, accessible solutions for local mobility are increasingly necessary.

"GetGo is a simple, flexible electric transport vehicle that can be configured as a single track cycle or a free-standing cargo trike.

"Whether commuting on narrow city streets or transporting cumbersome cargo loads, a comfortable, functional and space-saving design serves the needs of urban populations."

Student: Murphy La
Course: MDES Industrial Design
Email: murphyla.design[at]gmail.com

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of Illinois Chicago. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.