What if your morning drinking mug comes with a desktop oâer it? I know it sounds interesting but simultaneously it would evoke lots of questions too especially with respect to its cleaning, the interface on curvy surface, the transference of data (which I assume gonna be wirelessly), here, I am talking about Jasonâs Yuno PC mug. Although the concept is far from the serviceable PC, it is designed to have similar functions to that of a PDA or a smartphone. Scroll down to read the rest of his story.
1. Jason, please give us your brief introduction?
Jason: I am an Industrial Design Student at California State University, Long Beach, with a minor in Marketing. The Yuno PC was designed as a next-generation personal computer concept for people with busy lifestyles as well as a passion for business and success.
2. Concept of The Yuno PC is really cool but don’t you feel that the reading on it gonna be a li’l difficult especially because of its curved surface?
Jason: While it would be difficult to read long messages on the curved surface, the Yuno is meant to keep your alerts short and simple. It is even meant to control exactly who you receive email from. All of the alerts, or “widgets,” I guess you could call them, are small enough to see without turning the mug. There are no long messages, its actually meant to do quite the opposite. It is the pc you use without having to use a pc. It is perfect when getting ready or doing something else besides sitting at a desk.
3. How you are able to revamp the everyday objects into interactive art forms, I mean who or what is your source of inspiration behind your innovative and stylish concepts?
Jason: It really comes from a combination of things you encounter or observe, and people you talk to, especially talking about ideas and the need or possibility for something that doesn’t exist yet. I like getting feedback from friends, both designers and non-designers, and professors anyone who likes to talk about new and exiting things. I also like looking at images, shapes, or patterns that are pleasing to the eye like cars, flowers, even animals and art. Music and photography can also be very inspirational. I once got an idea for the shape of a device when an interesting looking, flat edgy rock caught my eye on a hike. Surround yourself with people and places, and don’t look for inspiration, it will find you one way or another.
4. What type of rendering do you like most and why?
Jason: I love the beauty and purity of hand sketches and drawings. It expresses true emotion. But sometimes more accurate and cleaner-looking results are necessary. I like using photoshop for product illustrations. And of course 3D computer models are always helpful in analyzing forms. I use 3D programs like Rhinoceros and 3D Max to name a few. But nothing can beat a nice hand-sketch.
5. How do you generally begin with the design process?
Jason: It’s funny because I always start out with an idea that I think is the answer, but the more I think about it or explore, the more I realize it needs lots of refinement. I’ve learned to not hold on to my ideas, and that what I think may not always be right. I like getting proved wrong because it opens my mind to something I just didn’t know or think about. My designs are always the result of many changes and reconsiderations.
6. What are your favorite product lines to work on, and why?
Jason: My favorite things to design are sporting goods and performance products. Anything that people really interact with provides the perfect amount of design constraints with just the right amount of design freedom.
7. Can you describe an evolution in your work?
Jason: I like putting my designs out there in the early stages to find out what people think about it. You have to let it be touched and molded by many people because thatâs where the real answers are. You give them something to look at or think about and immediately they have a reaction of some sort. A question, an idea, a different point of view. If they hate it, you ask why. The reason I am a passionate designer is because I encountered many poorly designed toys and things as a kid. I always wondered what was behind the products we bought. The Yuno PC for example started as a digital newspaper and coffee-maker interface, then came the idea of having a “smart” coffee mug to go along with it. But since digital newspapers have already been conceptualized I dropped that aspect, and then it became just a device to take on-the-go and not have to worry about being attached to a central computer. The Yuno was born. And as a designer, you just kind of get better at it every day.
8. Which of your projects has given you the most satisfaction?
Jason: I designed some pool tables for a school project a few years ago that turned out to be very fun and rewarding for me personally. People really responded positively to those designs and now I am working on a line of pool tables and accessories for my senior thesis.
9. Where do you see yourself, let’s say, five years down the line?
Jason: I plan on having a decent career going by then, and to be a design manager for products that I really care about. Right now I focus on doing things for me, perhaps in hopes of making a name for myself.
10. Any flying tips, you’d like to leave for our readers?
Jason: Don’t procrastinate, but if you must, try to save it all for one night.
11. Finally, we’d like to have your views on Coolbuzz.org?
Jason: It’s very fresh and interesting. I like that it gives people like me a chance to let the world know who I am.
Quick bits:
Is there any figure you wished you’d designed?
Jason: Like many people I’m sure, I wish I could have been a part in designing the iPod. That or the snowboard.
What music is on your iPod or radio?
Jason: Dredg, Circa Survive, Easy Star All-Stars, The Postal Service, Bloc Party to name a few.
Who would you like to design something for?
Jason: It would be great to design concept cars for Audi or BMW. More realistically I hope to work at Oakley in the near future because I think they give their designers a real voice. Plus they are in Southern California.
How would you label/categorize your work?
Jason: I would call it very conceptual and progressive. As a student I have to set myself apart from the other new designers around the world. I would also like to call it stylish, but that is up to the observer.
Your wildest dream would be?
Jason: A signature edition product designed for me, kind of like Jordan basketball shoes, but with sunglasses. Being a name in fashion that is rock star status!
Thank you Jason for sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. Iâd also like to wish you luck for all your future endeavors 🙂