Emily Ong
Extraordinary times call for extraordinary efforts.
With the Covid-19 virus causing unprecedented disruption across the world, it is imperative that humanity makes a collective effort to tackle this situation. Designers have a mission to find innovative solutions to the intractable global problems – and now even more than ever is the time for them to heed the call for answers to this pandemic.
Around the world, we’re seeing designers answering the call with innovations such as hands-free door openers, and ventilators being “hacked”, and diving masks repurposed to save more lives. Prototype ICU pods have been deployed to ease the burden on hospitals, while new systems and procedures such as drive-through testing have sprung up to identify those afflicted.
Here in Singapore, our DesignSingapore scholar and senior service designer Chua Jia Xiang was part of a team at a local hospital that designed a new face shield prototype that is meant to be more comfortable and less cumbersome for prolonged wear. Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency and Racer Technology have created FaceProtect+ a reusable and adjustable face shield in double-quick time for medical front-liners.
Also answering the call, STUCK design, a design innovation agency in Singapore, is offering its services – for free – to help healthcare workers with ideas to address Covid-19. Many others have also stepped up to this national challenge.
It could be a long battle, but I have faith in the spirit of innovation and ingenuity which underpins all design efforts. Just as SARS helped Singapore and other nations around the world be better prepared for Covid-19, the lessons learnt from this pandemic will stand us in good stead in addressing future global challenges.
Importantly, this pandemic should serve to underscore that humanity shares a common destiny, and that we should work in unity and apply our design skills for the good of all people. I look forward to this shining future.
Ms Emily Ong, Deputy Executive Director, DesignSingapore Council Singapore Economic Development Board