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Featured at the Microsoft Hardware website is the Microsoft series of pad holders, portfolios, and laptop bags manufactured by Samsill. They were introduced last year and are currently available for purchase at online retail stores.

Today I bring you an interview with Kenneth W. K. Wu, winner of the Judge’s Award Third Place at the 2006-2007 Next-Gen PC Design Competition. Zeed+ for the Future, the name for his winning design, uses stem-shaped hardware modules that can be plugged into a base for hardware upgradability, all without needing to open a computer case. This convenient design comes in the look of a flower vase. In addition to winning numerous other design awards, Kenneth is also one of the founders of Monoedge Inc., an award-winning website design firm, where he holds the position of Creative Director. See what he has to say to some of my questions on design and about himself.

What made you become interested in design?

I believe it is the empty space in my textbooks which provided me a lot of space to think and dream in school.

To be selected by the jury panel is an extraordinary accomplishment. What was your reaction when you learned that you won the Judge’s Award?

There are many good designs in the competition. Both 1st and 2nd Judge’s Award designs are actually my top 3 predictions, I am proud to have competed and be selected among with those talented designers. Joining this design competition is just a fun experience, I enjoy the process very much and being selected is a bonus.

Explain how you came up with the idea of Zeed+.

The idea came from my own experience with PCs. Although I use computers for my design works everyday, I hate to open the computer case to figure out what happened when something goes wrong or something needs to be upgraded. I always ask myself, “Can those IC boards look less complicated and look more user friendly?” “Can I fix or upgrade my computer without opening the case?” During the brainstorming, I am also inspired by a documentary show, which talks about how our environment got polluted by mountains of old and unusable computer hardware. The direction of the design (form and mobility) had been defined since then. With the advantage of the mobility, each zeed can be easily upgraded or changed. It also offers the benefit of trading or recycling the old “zeeds” to different market segments. Children in developing countries will have better chance to gather those donated zeeds to form a computer instead of waiting for a full piece donated computer. This is what I feel proud of and it is also the message behind the name, Zeed+, “when you need something, you seed something.”

How much time did it take to turn Zeed+ from a brief idea to a finalized, detailed concept?

It took me couple months to brainstorm ideas along the design direction during the travel time to work, and a month to finalize the details on visual presentation.

What do you think your design style is?

I am an architecture grad, so I am no stranger of the debate of “form follows function” or “function follows form”. But I don’t see they should follow each other, instead, I see they should interact to each other to follow the design purpose. I enjoy putting a lot of thought into the design and let people to explore the meaning and reason behind it. Design for purpose and design with reasons is my design theory. But I don’t really think I have any particular design style, please drop me a line and let me know what my style is after you take a look of www.kennethuuu.com, thanks!

Tell us something about Monoedge Inc. and what you do there.

I confounded Monoedge Inc. with two of my university collegiate, Alec Ng and Vincent Chan in 2001. We are considered one of the pioneers who introduce 3D spatial elements to the flat webpage design industry in the old days. As a Creative Director, I am responsible for most of the art and creative output. Client projects include website design and online marketing presentation.

What areas of website design do you see as being the same as or different from product design?

No matter it is dealing with pixel or mm, every unit counts for both website design and product design to make our life easier; provide experience, enjoyment and inspiration to users. On the other hand, both website design and product design have their own design challenges, such as the timing, flow and transaction between sections for website design; extra dimension, materials, regulations and manufacture issue for product design. You will see the trend of crossover between web and product interface design when the bendable OLED displays become popular for the product design in the future.

What do you see as the current and future state of website design?

The latest technology of flash effect, HD video content and fast connection has provided the best platform ever for designers to explode creativity andpossibility. I can see the future of website design will expand the focus to the mobile device and multi-touch displays in public places.

You also design brand logos. What’s your perspective on logos?

Logo is the face of a brand. It is a pretty face which makes people remember you easily; a face which tells who you are; a face which represents your spirit; and a face wouldn’t make people think you are brother of your competitors. Rather than telling the full story via the logo, I usually leave some space for people to imagine the meaning behind it. Exploring and studying the meaning behind logos and brand name is a great design practice, try it when you have chance.

Who or what you think has influenced your design work?

The vision of Mc Escher, the pop effect of Andy Warhol and the beauty of nature have influenced my design work a lot. Besides, I always ask myself “What if?” and “What if not?” during observation of designs around us. From the shape of the road sign to the function of our nails, I will try to answer the question with my own design theory. This type of practice influences my design work as well.

Over the course of your design career, how do you see your work change?

I used to put all the focus on defining my own style and signature in my early stage of my design career. Nowadays, I put more effort on the defining the value of the final product, such as how and what users benefit from the design.

When do you consider a design a good design?

I see a good design as a piece of work which should make our life easier; provide experience, enjoyment and inspiration for people.

What do you think are the most important attributes of a designer?

Observation and appreciation of other designs, cultures and trends are very important to a designer. A designer who designs within an enclosed room could only design things within a box.

Tell us about your favorite design projects.

Zeed+ is no question one of my favorite design projects, but what’s the Next design after this Next Gen PC Design?

Zeerog, Glasses with zero grams is also one of my favourite design projects. The weight of the glasses is reduced dramatically by the simple magnetic system. The challenge for this project is to keep the characteristic of the glasses but keeping it as light as a pair contact lens at the same time.

My favourite web design project is www.monoedge.com, it was considered one of the topnotch web design in the old days. We haven’t updated the website since it was launched because we just want to keep the space and the mood as it is.

What do you think is the most challenging part of your work?

The most challenging part of my work is to find the right balance and focus among the design perspective, the business perspective, time and budget. Designers need to think quickly and move fast; otherwise, you will end up watching others filling your dream on their canvas. You think different doesn’t mean different people will not think about the same thing in the other corner of the world, especially when we are living in the global village and influenced by the same media and resource.

When you’re not designing something, what hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy shopping, playing video games, movies and watching sports and surfing fwa.com, engadget.com regularly.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring designers who want to enter the industry?

Nobody can read your creative mind and your well trained skills until you let them visualize it. Your portfolio is the pass to enter the industry, (and on-line is always a bonus). Surfing design websites and reading design magazines will also open your mind and give you the latest updates of design standard, trends and technology. Once you enter the industry, you will find out being a designer is a cool job, not only make our world look more beautiful, but also make our life easier and better.

Many thanks to Kenneth for his sharing his valuable insights. If you haven’t already, you can head to Kenneth’s website where you can see his work portfolio including brand logos, websites, and other award-winning product designs.

All images courtesy of Kenneth W. K. Wu. (c) Kenneth W. K. Wu

Today is the day that tse: surpasses 1000 views, after 64 days since its inception. For a relatively unpublicized website I am very thrilled with this level of support. I would like to thank every single person who has made this possible and I look forward to delivering more content for my readers in the future.

Thanks everyone!

At the 2006-2007 Next-Gen PC Design Competition was the winner of the Chairman’s Award John Leung. His winning entry was the innovative concept computer MADE in China which uses next-generation wireless technologies that allow software to run from centralized servers, shifting the bulk of hardware to software service providers where they can be utilized and recycled more efficiently. Input is driven by a pair of chopsticks for new forms of user interaction. John has started the design band AARIVE and is also the recipient of numerous local and international design awards. I’ve had a chance to talk with him a little about the competition and his thoughts on design.

Give us a little background about yourself; and what sparked your interest in design?

For half of my life, I lived in Hong Kong, and the other half, I lived in Australia. The knowledge and experiences from the east and west has really shaped me into a global & holistic thinker. This also allows me to discover more loopholes and opportunities in everyday life for design. The process of discovery is what always interests me.

Looking back, did you expect yourself winning the Chairman’s Award? What was the feeling when you realized that you’ve won the Bill Gates’ award?

I remember before the announcement of the result, MADE in China wasn’t one of the popular ones amongst the Internet community. It wasn’t much talked about, it wasn’t much publicized. When I entered the contest a year ago, what I wanted most was to pitch my revolutionary PC concept to the world - to benefit the world. A concept of a young person (no matter how much potential it carries) can not go anywhere without opportunities like these. I believe there’s no good or bad design. When my design got personally selected by Bill Gates and won this contest, what meant most to me was that I shared the same grand vision as Bill Gates and Microsoft.

What was the inspiration for MADE in China?

The inspiration came from seeing how most PCs nowadays are made IN China but none are really made FOR China. I wanted to design something which begins with the 1.3 billion people in mind - something with a primary interface which doesn’t start with a keyboard with foreign alphabets.

What aspects of MADE in China do you think have made it stand out?

It is how simply it addresses multiple fields simultaneously - the users, manufactures and the environment. Many of the features on the MADE in China are simple and nothing new, but it is the way they are put together to address a single grand purpose which defines the innovativeness of MADE in China.

Tell us about your dreams for your design band AARIVE and where do you see it going in the future?

“AARIVE the design band” is also my concept. We want our designs to be like music, for people to enjoy. I also want the designers(including me) to get the kind of happiness associated with making music, so to keep us making even more designs in the future. I’m foreseeing a branch of designers who will follow a path similar to bands and artists in the popular music industry. AARIVE is definitely leading that way.

How do you come up with ideas? Do you have to think hard or do they just come naturally?

Ideas come to me with everyday experiences. Just have to be conscious of them. I collect them as I go. Playing with ideas is like playing with Lego. There is a bag of them and I have to see how each of them can fit together to accomplish my goal. To be efficient at it, usually you need to be a very free thinker.

What kind of products do you enjoy designing the most?

As a matter the fact, I like to design things I hate - it can be anything from Building to Product to Graphics. It’s the most satisfying in design, to start off with something you hate and end up with something you love.

What are/were you studying at university and how has it influenced your design work?

I’ve started the Masters of Architecture this year. Having a background in architecture does make me more aware of pragmatic issues. Knowledge in different field is always the ingredient for innovation, but I never let my knowledge hinder my free thinking.

When you’re near finished designing something, how do you know when it’s complete or when it’s good enough?

I often say a design is “concreted” by the designer rather than “completed” by the designer. When to concrete a design is highly dependant on the project. Most of the time, the concreted design reflects my state of mind for that project’s duration.

As someone coming from Hong Kong, how do you see it as having an influence on your design style?

Hong Kong is a very special place, it’s a small city with a lot of international influence. I do keep internationalism in mind when I design.

What do you consider is important for new graduate designers entering the industry in this age?

Passion. Direction. Don’t enter this industry at all without uttermost passion in a direction.

Tell us an “ah-ha” moment where a creative idea suddenly popped up in your mind that solved a real-world problem.

I still remember the “ah-ha” moment when I came up with the idea for the MADE in China infrastructure. I was on the train and thinking about the future of 3G telecommunication - what will happen when we have 10G…? The idea of the MADE infrastructure pop-up and I instantly realized its vast potentials - it literally give me Goosebumps! But when an idea like this comes up suddenly, I always ask myself - “why not?”

What do think of the current and future state of the design industry?

If you ask me about the current state, I’d say … “give more chances to the young designers!!”

What would be the ultimate design project for you?

Nowadays, the so-called “popular designs” are those “half-a-step ahead designs” majority of the population embraces; while the so-called “good designs” are those “one-step ahead designs” which those in the design industry celebrates. I hope to get a real life opportunity for a design project where I can be at least TWO steps ahead.

What other activities or hobbies do you enjoy besides design?

I enjoy the Internet very much - especially innovations like the Wikipedia and YouTube. It’s like getting out of the house without getting out of the house at all!!

After winning so many design awards, what are your career plans now?

I’m building up AARIVE. I’m also looking for more design opportunities. I also want to write a book.

Last but not least, what advice would you give to young aspiring designers?

Once again - Passion, Direction. Be passionate about designing - but HATE your designs.

My thanks to John for his time and effort. Take a look and see more of John’s design work at his website AARIVE.

All images courtesy of John Leung. (c) John Leung

If you are still using Windows XP, there are steps you can take to make your operating system more secure. This tutorial will look at the tools provided by the operating system.

Install Windows XP Service Pack 3

This latest service pack for Windows XP culminates all updates before it including new security features from Windows XP Service Pack 2. This simple step goes a long way in ensuring that your operating system is prepared for today’s security landscape since 2001 (the year the OS was launched). You can install it on an existing installation of Windows XP or slipstream it so that future installations of Windows XP includes the service pack right out of the box. You can download it either through Windows Update or at the Microsoft website.

Turn on Windows Firewall

Before you connect to the Internet, make sure you have a firewall installed and in use. A firewall helps prevent unsolicited communications to and from your computer with harmful websites. Windows XP includes a built-in software firewall called Windows Firewall which can be activated with a few clicks.

1. On the Start menu, click Run.
2. Type “firewall.cpl”, and click OK.
3. Select On (recommended).
4. Click OK.

Note that Windows Firewall allows exemptions from its monitoring. Therefore you should keep an eye on the list of programs not monitored by Windows Firewall. You should keep the number of exemptions as small as practical for your daily Internet activities.

1. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, select the Exceptions tab.
2. Under Programs and Services, select an unwanted program.
3. Uncheck the checkbox or click Delete.
4. Click OK once finished.

Turn on Automatic Updates

New attacks appear everyday so it is important for you to keep your operating system one step ahead of the game. By turning on Automatic Updates, Windows will check for updates for you automatically when you’re connected to the Internet. You can choose whether to allow Windows to install them for you itself or ask for your permission beforehand.

1. On the Start menu, click Run.
2. Type “wuaucpl.cpl”, and click OK.
3. Select one of the first three options.
4. Click OK.

If you select the second or third option, make sure that you do install the updates when prompted to.

Extend protection from Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

By default, DEP only protects core Windows processes from buffer overflow attacks, a type of exploitation where a malware tampers with parts of another process’ memory section in order to compromise the system. You can have DEP to protect all other processes from this type of attack.

1. On the Start menu, click Run.
2. Type “sysdm.cpl”, and click OK.
3. Select the Advanced tab, and click Settings under Performance.
4. In the Performance Options dialog box, select the Data Execution Prevention tab.
5. Select Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.
6. Click OK.

Note that some programs may not work properly with DEP protection. In these cases, simply check the checkboxes next to the program in the DEP exemption list for them to work correctly again. These programs will appear in the list once they have been closed by DEP.

Turn off Autorun/Autoplay

When you insert a software CD, more often than not it will automatically run the installation program by itself, with the help of Autorun. Viruses stored on removable media can do the same if you do not prevent it. Windows Vista changed the way Autorun scripts are handled so that permission is required for them to run. In Windows XP, you can disable this feature in Group Policy.

1. On the Start menu, click Run.
2. Type “gpedit.msc”, and click OK.
3. Under Computer Configuration, select the Administrative Templates folder, and then select the System folder.
4. Open Turn off Autoplay.
5. Select Enable, and then select All drives under Turn off Autoplay on.
6. Click OK.

Unfortunately, Windows XP will still run the scripts if you open the drives directly either through double-click or the Enter key. You should therefore always right-click your drives and choose Open to bypass the scripts.

Avoid using an administrator account

Running under an administrator account allows viruses and Autorun exploits to do everything that you as an administrator can do: install malware, run Trojans, deleting files, formatting disks, record password keys, and so on. You can greatly limit the damage by logging on as a “User”, a type of user account that lets you run most programs without giving viruses the user account privileges to change your computer settings. You can create a “User” account by following these instructions.

1. On the Start menu, click Run.
2. Type “nusrmgr.cpl”, and click OK.
3. Select Create a new account.
4. Type a name for the account, and click Next.
5. Select Limited, and click Create Account.

When you do need to install programs or change computer settings when logged on as a “User”, hold down the Shift key and right-click the installation file or Control Panel item and select “Run as”, you will then only give that program administrator privileges for that instance only.

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to log on

This key sequence is recognized only be Windows. When you activate this sequence twice in succession while at the Welcome Screen (all user accounts must be logged off first), you will be presented with a traditional log on dialog box. This way of logging on ensures that your password is communicated to Windows only and not to third-party software.

Use a strong user account password

Last but not least, you should give strong passwords for administrator user accounts. All these security measures are useless if someone with access to your administrator accounts can revert them back. There is a Wikipedia article on the characteristics of a strong password.

Microsoft product screenshots reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of EOS (short for Electro Optical System), Canon has released a Flash presentation at the Canon Camera Museum. In addition to detailing the design philosophy and technologies of EOS from past to present, it serves as an exhibition for nearly all camera models of the EOS series. For long-time Canon users, it sure will bring back some memories. The camera shown above for example is the first EOS camera - the EOS 650.

Camera image used under a Creative Commons license. (c) Thomas Steiner

Looking for a quick and easy way to license your Office documents under Creative Commons? Microsoft and Creative Commons (the non-profit organization) has collaborated and released and updated the Creative Commons Add-in for Microsoft Office. This add-in is presented in a two-step wizard interface that takes the guesswork out of choosing the right type of license, and includes the choice of releasing the work into the public domain. Once finished, it inserts a boilerplate stating the type of license along with a Creative Commons logo. In addition, license information is embedded in the document’s properties.

One caveat, though. This add-in requires Office XP or 2003 being present on your computer to install. Although after installation the add-in appears to work fine in Office 2007 (for example, after upgrading from Office 2003 to 2007). You can download this free add-in at the Microsoft website.

Microsoft product screenshot reprinted with permission from Microsoft Corporation.