Makers In Action: Meet Working Member Simon Yuen
November 2, 2011
We were so lucky to find Simon (well, he technically found us…he attended Fabrication Fest and wanted to get involved)! Now, he’s a Working Member here — helping out with a wide range of fabrication projects, facility maintenance, and problem-solving. Seamus calls him a meta-apprentice: “everything I’ve asked him to do for me has been perfect.” Read on to learn more about this talented budding maker!
Name:
Simon Yuen
Occupation: Multimedia and Product Designer
What’s your expertise and how many years of experience are under your belt?
My previous profession was in video and multimedia design. I did that for a few years, got sick of staring at a computer screen, and for the past two years have been doing product design.
What led to your passion for creating? Have you always been a maker in some fashion?
My dad was always building or fixing something in our household and taught me the basics of using tools. Besides hand skills, I would say the mentality of DIY was firmly imprinted on me from a young age.
What led you to ADX and why are you involved there?
I heard of ADX through various design-related channels, so I can’t exactly pinpoint an exact reference. I’m here to meet and collaborate with amazing people, and to fulfill my endless desire to learn to make things. I’m very happy to have a place to finally have some of my product ideas realized.
Where can someone typically find you in ADX? What might you be working on?
Mostly everywhere. As a working member here, I’m tasked with a lot of our in-house fabrication projects, and I’m responsible for maintaining the shop and assisting any members that need help. For personal projects you’ll find me in and out of the wood shop, metal shop, or a desk on working on my laptop.
Tell us about some of your favorite past design projects.
I designed two clocks from the ground up and was able to almost 100 percent source all the parts in the United States. They’re based on two classic American clock models and look really killer. Another favorite project of mine was a portable folding guitar stand I built into a suitcase. I was fortunately able to have it featured in Readymade (rest in peace) a few years ago.
Do you have any specific projects in the works?
Yes, always. I’m working on a template for cutting out your own CD sleeves from cardstock or paper. It’s aimed at DIY musicians who can’t afford to publish and print CDs but still want to be able to have a quality looking package for their self-released records.
A second project of mine is a re-design of the rear-mounted bicycle cargo rack. I’m still in the brainstorming stage at this point but eventually want to do the full scale prototype at ADX.
What significance does collaboration have in your creative process?
It means everything. I’ve been realizing that I have sketchbooks full of ideas and concepts, but it’s worth nothing if I don’t share them with people. As a designer/maker you’ll never get your first product right anyways, so you have to involve people for their critique and feedback early on if you’re going to be successful.
What’s your dream project you’d fabricate/design/build if you had the skills and materials at your fingertips?
Oh boy, that’s a tough one. I’ve got so many. Off the top of my head I’d say I’d like to design “proper” urban-use bicycles that don’t come with a high end custom price that are reliable and can seamlessly integrate into metropolitan life.
To learn more about Simon, visit his website or drop by ADX to introduce yourself!