Above: The final product.
ABOUT THE DESIGN
RAVI is a portable solar generator for small electronic appliances. The name RAVI is a Hindu name meaning benevolent sun god, appropriate as RAVI's goal is to help lower greenhouse gas emissions through generating renewable energy and to encourage a lifestyle change to help the reduction of green house gases seem achievable for the average person.
The concept
RAVI is based on the concept of a flower, appearing as a closed flower to begin with. Once you open the 'petals' out, solar panels are revealed on the inside of them. RAVI toys with several emotional triggers of interaction from 'growing energy' to 'picking a flower'.
The user places RAVI in their garden and opens the 'petals' to reveal the solar panels. During the day, RAVI collects energy from the sun and stores it in a removable battery pack. Once the battery is fully charged, the 'petals' then close (the direct antithesis to a normal flower) and omit a glow to signify RAVI is fully charged. The user can then remove the charge pack and charge products via 2 USB outputs.
The process
Leigh Ryan wanted to design a product that people could connect with. An intense 8 months of rigorous research, development and refinement has resulted in a working prototype of RAVI.
"Although the technology in RAVI is nothing new, it's a product that you want to engage with; it has an emotional connection with the user," Mr Ryan said.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Leigh Ryan is an Industrial Design graduate of Monash University, Australia. After completing his four year degree, he is now working " his dream job" at Dyson.
AWARD
Leigh Ryan's RAVI design received first place in the Industrial Design Category at the 2008 DIA Student Design Awards, run by the Design Institute of Australia. This much-acclaimed and keenly contested awards program gives all Australian and New Zealand design students and institutions the chance to show their best work to the entire country, and win valuable prizes.
www.dia.org.au