customizable appliances

The Sewing Chameleon is a multi-functional sewing machine that prints out thread on-demand in whatever color the user prefers, relying on color detection sensors and built-in ink cartridges.

These days, innovative design for home appliances boils down to convenience. Design that’s multifunctional or customizable has come through across all industries, providing everything from home furniture to stationery with a double function. Realizing the opportunity to turn the sewing machine into a multifunctional product, Minsong Cho designed the Sewing Chameleon, a sewing machine that prints out thread on-demand using built-in ink cartridges and color detection sensors.

The modern home is not about clutter. Everyday products are getting redesigned to fit in better with their environment, making their operation more user-friendly and keeping our living rooms organized. Cho’s Sewing Chameleon was conceived to cut out the hassle that comes with changing the thread in sewing machines when a different color is needed.

With traditional sewing machines, the process of swapping out the old thread for a new thread comes with its own heap of challenges–it takes a while to swap out the threads and even when you do, the new thread often gets stuck inside the machine and frays.

Solving this, Cho’s Sewing Chameleon comes with its own color detection sensors that allow users to create any color thread they’d like. All a user will need is a physical depiction of the color they’d like their thread to be and by placing that near the color detection sensors, the Sewing Chameleon will use its built-in ink cartridges to dye the new thread that color.

In addition to this multifunctional design, Sewing Chameleon comes in a neat, matte black with achromatic accents, giving it an overall look that pairs nicely with most color schemes. Users will also be able to control the Sewing Chameleon’s thread flow, needle speed, pattern, and lighting.

Designer: Minsong Cho

By turning the dial on the Sewing Chameleon, users can adjust the speed of the thread output.

In addition to its dual function s a printer, the Sewing Chameleon comes with a control panel that allows users to control everything from thread flow to lighting.

Coated in matte black, the Sewing Chameleon fits in nicely with any home color scheme.

Minsong Cho spotted the trouble spots of conventional sewing machines and looked to other home appliances like coffee makers and chargers to solve them through design.

Controllers aren’t called controllers for nothin’– they not only control the game, but they provide the tool necessary to even play the game in the first place. Everything from the texture to the placement of buttons affects the game and it’s not a one-size-fits-all sort of deal either. Different games feel better to play when certain controllers are used. To build a new, adaptable gaming experience and to help declutter our controller cabinet, Juan Lee conceptualized Icon, a new customizable controller.

Icon consists of two handheld motion controllers capable of registering any one of the six provided control modules that prompt any given movement within a video game. Through magnetic linkage, the control modules, which are made from micro-suction rubber, can easily be attached and detached from the motion controllers. For example, when playing Super Smash Bros. Melee, a user can integrate the directional module into one of the motion controllers so that their character can easily change direction, jump up and down, and attack Luigi. The motion controllers come equipped with Bluetooth to connect to either your smartphone or smart television, also allowing for wireless gameplay.

Further incorporating the use of smartphones by means of an accompanying app, Lee designed Icon so that the control modules can also be attached to your smartphone’s touchscreen and registered as a controller when playing any given video game. Icon’s handheld carrying case doubles as a charging case so whenever you’re not playing Super Smash Bros. Melee, Icon can charge up and be ready for Luigi’s demise in Mushroom Kingdom whenever you’re ready.

Designer: Juan Lee