Can a simple bottle be an instrument too? Although all we learn from physics class tell us otherwise, nothing is impossible in the minds of creative designers. Tama Art University student Fujiwara Jun came up with a design known as “Re:  Sound Bottle”, a system that collects sounds into a glass jar containing complex wires. This device records any sound automatically and converts it into beatbox music by popping the lid. The sounds are a bit disjointed, but you can’t stop bobbing your head to it!  Sounds you encounter on a daily basis, such as: Clapping, chatting, or snapping

“Thinking!” This paradoxically simple yet deep concept effects the smallest establishment of a humble shop, to the great history of human civilization. However. . . How do you define the act of thinking? Should it be as heavy as Rodin’s Le Penseur, or as light as an innocent child, wrinkling brows?   In fact, the only rule you need to have in a brainstorming session is that, there are no rules! The process of inspirational thinking should be the act of “emptying your brain” and connecting everything that pours out of your mind at the moment. Just freely associate

G-Voice Recommends: Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation By Tim Brown This is not a book just for designers, but rather, it is a how-to manual about thinking and living with a creative mindset. It introduces design thinking seamlessly into life, organizations, products and service, and serves as a breath of fresh air for social outlook and corporate strategies.   Sit back as the CEO of IDEO, Tim Brown, takes readers on a journey to explore the world of design thinking. Design not only concerns visual appeal and polishing surroundings. It is more about

Looking back to what users want How does a good idea stand out among others in the sea of inspiration? We need to ask ourselves. . . Where does the problem lie, exactly?        “The Question is always inside us” That fact is, we need a “user-oriented, innovative, interactive and practical method to figure out the best concept and ultimate plan”. That is the heart of Design Thinking: humanity. Through observation and key interviews, the problem can be truly pinpointed and tackled with; that is the spirit of what ideas are all about. For example, one of IDEO’s past

G! VOICE Introduces: Everyone has heard about “design thinking”, but what is this idea really about? How does one “think creatively”? Can “design thinking” really solve problems? Four inspiring Taiwan youths visited the most successful innovative companies in the US (IDEO, Coca Cola, Autodesk, Stanford... etc) to make a documentary on how people come up with “design thinking”. This film objectively illustrates how different industries come up unique ways to tackle human need, behavior and way of thinking. Their solutions apply to corporations as well as social problems. This following video would allow gamanians to “design and think” from

Build a prototype; Embrace the mistakes    On the road of Design Thinking, after much observation of the consumer society, it is important to learn how to embrace your “failed” ideas as much as the successful ones. Many are idealists that aim for perfection on the first go. This leads to a lot of pre-planning and organizing beforehand, which is a good thing. However, when it comes to innovation that is when it starts to get tricky. Upon wanting a top score before actually trying often leads to the reluctance to be bold and take risks. From conceiving an

Quit smoking, no drinking and driving, clean elections, child welfare, domestic violence preventions, gender equality. . . . . . When an advertisement is from social institutions, charity foundations or child care services, the product usually is a marginalized group or taboo subject. In the advertising industry, controversial topics are always a challenge, and need to be dealt with care and consideration. It’s having to stride into the office when you are aware everyone knows you are late. That is, this kind of thing must be “bold, yet sensitive”.  The client, YWCA New Zealand, requested a survey about “women

▲On March 15th, 2013, the abolishment of GTW guest center, a place of iconic status, finally takes place, and lives on now in the memories of all gamanians.  The center was first established in April 2007, as place to receive guests in Taiwan that visit our corporation. Every time a Gamania player sets foot in the headquarters, he or she is greeted by the warm, welcoming gates of the stylish - and orange - Customer Service Center. From April 2007, to March 2013, the center served as the perfect receptionist venue that introduces people to what gamania’s image is

There is no doubt that Gamania has the best creative thinkers gathered into one, smart and fun team. Each playing different roles, gamanians have always excelled in affecting others, as to march in a more positive light! Yet, with such versatility of division, that range from customer service, HR, IT, UX, QA, marketing, operations, design, creativity, brand, strategy planning, administration, finance and Gama Island... Not all objectives apply the same kind of logic. This time, SPACE 17 introduces the Design Thinking exhibition to remind all gamanians: Design is not just a professional trait, it is a way of living,

In this era of internet age, information inundates the virtual world. Whenever you need to find any information, the first place to be is the internet. There are so many competitors on the web, when a user is not satisfied with your service, please believe that his/her patience won’t last over a minute. With that said, how do we provide an intuitive and thoughtful way of search method for users? This is an important issue to address. Especially when a website provides a service of massive information, they would need a thoughtful information architect who understands users’ behaviors in

After a long, hardworking year, GHK held an awesome annual Spring Banquet on March 8th, 2013. The 6 brave fighters showed great courage facing terrible monsters. They went all the way to Miramar Shopping Centre to fulfill their promise of protecting earth.  ▲The Red Fighter: Leave the Earth’s Happiness to me!   Change and Innovation! Challenging the Theatre This year’s spring banquet was a special one. Besides the dance performances, we were introduced to “The Orange Fighters: GAMA6”! A nod to the greatly appreciated Taiwan film “Machi Action”, this year a short performance based on the idea of the

Everyone has a posture of happiness, it doesn’t need to be anything extravagant. Sometimes it may be wrapping arms in front of the chest, and looking at your completed task. Sometimes it may be a light smile or looking at your loved one and laugh from the bottom of your heart. “Doing what you love and living in peace” is exactly the posture of happiness!  When Albert said to the media who came to the press conference, “Running this kindergarten, I care first and foremost about our ‘stance on education’. I hope that GamaGarden, like Gamania, could share the

As a business in the 21st century, it doesn’t matter which field you’re in, I think most people would agree the conviction of ‘Customer First’. But do you know that even though we both recognize the importance of service quality, the ‘standard’ of service may change according to different industry and company positions. Everyone must have visited the hospital at some point in their lives. The image of a hospital conceptualized in your mind may be something of cold and serious. However, not all medical related services make you ‘feel’ the same. Health Check Center actually provides a whole

Sure gamanians have notice the recent decorations in the 18F lobby, 15F UX LAB, and even in SPACE 17 in Gama Island. They are now a part of the Design Thinking campaign! This campaign aims primarily to pump up our member’s ability of thinking creatively, and injects a new, energetic vibe to send us off on a better, new direction! This event was proposed by our very own UX director, Michelle Lin, and her dedication to Design Thinking. G!Voice invites Michelle to share with our readers what Design Thinking means for her, and why it is important for gamanians. 

Everyone has their own image and perception of their ideal company in mind. After the official launch of GamaGarden on April 3rd, 2012, Albert said to his media friends, “Gamania celebrated its 17th anniversary at 13:00, on April 1st, 2012. This company is like my child, I’ve cherished and loved everything about it. I hope it could become a company with a competitive edge in every aspect, be it innovation, development or staff welfare etc. In sum, I hope that Gamania is the most ‘kick-ass’ company… ”When the word, ‘kick-ass’ was uttered, our media partners who sat with straight

Sanuk is a renowned handmade shoe brand in California, U.S. The word is originally Thai, meaning ‘pleasant and wonderful’. This brand won the grand prize of shoe design in 2007 in the U.S. This year, they launched a new series, ‘Streaker’, hoping to bring everyone the joy and comfort of streaking. When you hear the name, ‘Streaker’, it is not hard imagine how light-footed this shoe would be!  To welcome the blazing summer, Sanuk promotes the urban surfing and casual leisure style and adopted the bright orange as color to reflect the ‘madness’ of Streaker. The shoe model is

We’ve all been there. After entering a restaurant, the waiter takes you to your table, and hands over a glass of water with the menu. The water is usually free of charge. (In Taiwan, we are served boiled water, while in the US, they provide drinkable tap water).   Tap water is something we take for granted, something accessible just by turning on the faucet. Amazingly, one out of five children around the world cannot have clean water to drink on a daily basis. As a result, 6,000 precious lives are lost each day.   Information like that are

How do you associate “Coke” with “staying fit”? We all know that Diet Coke might a better choice than regular Coke for one’s guilty pleasure. But did you know that the brand of Diet Coke now stands for slimness?  Diet Coke’s latest publicity stunt in Paris is the “Slender Vendor,” a vending machine that’s only 7 inches wide to show how “famously fit and elegant” Diet Coke is. Get it? Not only does it fit nicely in narrow spaces, it is now everywhere: in the middle of sidewalks, in bowling allies, between treadmills in fitness centers... etc. In short,