SINGAPORE — In the 10th edition of the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD, Poh Yun Ru takes the highest honour for a design first that helps memories last. Her winning design, Rewind is a motion-tracking tool, which guides seniors with dementia to relive and recall familiar gestures, by leveraging multi-sensory stimulation to trigger meaningful recollections.
She was first inspired to address this subject when her grandmother, whom she shares a strong bond with, started to grapple with the struggles of dementia. As a child, Yun Ru would often spend time with her grandmother, who would share stories from her childhood and teach her family recipes. But as the disease took over, these special moments grew rare. This experience moved her to find a design-based intervention that could help manage this debilitating disease.
In her endeavor to develop a practical solution, she had to gain a deeper understanding of this complex disease, and how it impacts each individual differently. Yun Ru decided to complete a short residency at a nursing home. “It was an emotionally draining experience,” she says of the time she spent there. “This experience was surely an eye-opener and a profound realization of the importance of human interaction,” she adds.
Her human-centric approach to design was chosen over the other finalists, who were shortlisted from the 1726 entries received. Each of the finalists offered novel solutions to varying problems ranging from environmental needs to social issues.
“I felt grateful that Rewind is now a step closer to improving the lives of more people,” says Yun Ru, who is passionate about designing an inclusive tomorrow. She further adds, “this opportunity from LEXUS DESIGN AWARD to turn a project into a real-world product felt nothing short of amazing.” Yun Ru decided to participate in the award after being inspired by the winners in the past. She was also eager to interact with the mentors and learn from their expert perspectives.
Her aim for Rewind is to extend beyond the conventional therapy that exists today and be able to create a better future for the elderly with dementia.
With that goal in mind, both Yun Ru and the mentors at the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD program set out to explore new materials and textures that could enhance the senses, and develop different scenarios for Rewind’s interface content. “This whole process allowed me to be able to redevelop my project with professionals to enter into a more concrete development,” explains Yun Ru.
Yun Ru also encourages other designers looking to elevate their projects and thinking to participate in the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD. “This experience will allow designers or creators to collaborate and even co-design with people from all walks of life,” she says.
“Learn to adapt to different situations with an open mind,” she advises future participants. “Enjoy the process because it is a really rare opportunity to be able to connect with world-class mentors and designers from different parts of the world,” she adds.
While taking in the present, Yun Ru looks to the future. She believes that designing for a better tomorrow means anticipating challenges and developing innovative solutions that can stand the test of time.
Yun Ru also believes that design should be inclusive. She explains, “inclusive design to me extends to creating a system that enables anyone to contribute easily.”
From recognizing a need to crafting a design solution; Yun Ru’s Rewind is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, driven by a vision to create a better tomorrow for all.
Learn more about Poh Yun Ru’s winning project and the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD at: https://discoverlexus.com/stories/lexus-design-award-2022/
ABOUT LEXUS DESIGN AWARD
Launched in 2013, the LEXUS DESIGN AWARD is an international competition for up-and-coming creators from around the world. The Award seeks to contribute to society by supporting designers and creators whose work shows the potential to shape a better future. Six finalists gain a rare opportunity to prototype their designs under the mentorship of leading designers. The LEXUS DESIGN AWARD provides global media exposure to drive professional career advancement.
