Where does creativity come from? This is a story about finding inspiration from life|Bone Talk

Feeling being restricted by the repetition of daily life? When feeling bored with work and life, then creativity is needed to enrich lives and inject new vitality. Let’s take a look at how the design director of Bone, whose name is Reads, gets his inspiration from daily life and creates wonderful ideas!

The stage of life happen repeatedly in the process of "regret, change, and habit"

Hi, I’m Reads/Lin Jinsheng, the design director of Bone. I like drawing and designing. I have new ideas anytime, anywhere in my mind. People, things, and objects around me are all sources of inspiration. Using industrial design expertise to create "beautiful and convenient" products.

Reads、設計總監、設計、靈感
Bone was founded over ten years ago by Reads

Repeated daily routines can easily lead to exhaustion

In fact, not just designers who need inspiration and creativity. Everyone will face a moment when they need to use their brains and creativity to solve problems. However, repeated daily routines easily make people fall into repetitive loops.
Although at any stage, life and work are composed of different fragments, the scenes that are played repeatedly make us fall into a habit and ease of daily life.
Especially, when we grow up, adapt and integrate into society, we are familiar with the people, things, and objects in life and work. Everything seems to be familiar, but it also makes our heart feel a bit lonely, and feeling regrets about the unchanging life.

Boldly change, but easy to face the repetitive of daily life

The more intense activists will be unwilling to live the repetitive daily routine every day, so they will boldly step forward, travel abroad, change jobs, move houses, change life track... etc., try to reignite the enthusiasm of life.
After changing the track and opening a new chapter in life, but then is used to the changed life again.
Here comes the question, "For how long will we live the same life every day again?”, the unwilling feeling of loneliness reappears, and so are the regretful thoughts about the daily repetition.
Gradually, everyone is constrained by repeated daily routines, and the opportunities for brains to try "creative thinking" are gradually reduced, and senses of fatigue in life and work also arise spontaneously.
Even for those whose work requires creative output: such as designers, engineers, marketing...will unconsciously fall into the "repetition" routine. If you do not immediately turn on the exploration radar in your mind and explore new knowledge, then the pace of progress will gradually be slow and lag behind.
Exploring the unknown field does not necessarily have to jump to an unrelated field. You can also use your professional skills to find new information and find new inspiration in your own professional field.
Here comes to the key parts.

How to find new information, and trigger inspiration? Where does creativity come from?

What is inspiration? Where does the inspiration come from? Carefully observe the things around you, the inspiration may come from a moment in life.

On a business trip to New York in 2009, one day I wanted to listen to music in the hotel with my mobile phone with it standing, so I put the mobile phone into the cup so it stayed standing while the music played. The moment the mobile phone entered the cup, the sound reflected and became louder.

mobile phone, cup, inspiration
A little more observation of the surroundings in life can generate creativity.

Grasping this moment of intense and interesting experience, and transforming this deep impression into a product's creativity, the mobile phone horn speaker (Horn Stand) was born. This environmentally friendly speaker that does not require electricity has also won four international awards including IF, Red dot, and four other big international awards.

horn speaker, inspiration, design
Who would have thought that this was transformed from a cup?

Interest can also become the source of creative inspiration

In addition to design work, Reads is also a bicycle enthusiast. He always carries a bicycle in the rear compartment. After work, he will take it down and ride it whenever he has the opportunity.

bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride
Reads is also bicycle enthusiast, he will ride his bicycle whenever he has the opportunity.

The creative invention of this horn speaker was further extended to the bicycle, so that people can enjoy the convenient functions of mobile phone navigation, listening to music, and recording mileage while riding.

bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, horn speaker
The design concept of the horn speaker is extended to the bicycle, so people can enjoy the convenient functions of mobile phone navigation, listening to music, and recording mileage while riding.
Bike Horn, bicycle, outdoor, ride, horn speaker
Bike Horn, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, horn speaker
In 2014, the Bike Horn evolved into a single silicone material, including a quick disassembly and universal strap structure that can be adapted to different handlebar sizes.

Many cyclists will bring their mobile phones while going on a ride, listening to music, navigating, recording journeys, taking pictures, sending to social media, and sharing riding experience, making bicycle riding to have a richer experience. In an emergency, you can communicate with the outside world, and also feel more at ease when going out for a ride.

Mobile phones have become inseparable to us. Looking back when having the thought of the design patent for this mobile phone universal strap in 2010.

bike tie, bicycle, outdoor, ride, universal design
The universal design that can cover different mobile phones is definitely a big leap forward for bicycle mobile phone strap.

It is a "universal design" that can cover different sizes of mobile phones, and combined with the rear strap to form a "bike tie" that is suitable for different "mobile phones" and "handles". It also won the German IF Design Award.

Creative inspiration inspired by European road trips

In September 2019, we started a 3,000-kilometer road trip in Europe and visited many bicycle shops and cyclists. We started an interesting cooperation with European Vodafone. The main business of the telecommunications company is to provide telecommunications services, but because of the continuous establishment Base stations and sending signals have become energy consumers, so Vodafone has this carbon reduction concept: "If feasible, accelerate the transition of low-carbon or zero-carbon energy." Therefore, there is a telephone contract given by the telecommunications line project to bicycles. Bone’s Bike Tie also joined the line of Vodefone.

Vodefone, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, universal design
Bone’s Bike Tie also joined the line of Vodefone

During this 3,000-kilometer journey in Europe, seeing that only a few people would bring a bicycle watch while riding, but almost all people would bring a mobile phone when riding a bicycle. With a brainwave, now that takes the phone out, why not use the bike mounts to hold your phone?

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride
Good design often comes from a simple question

It would be a good idea if bike watches and mobile phones can be used interchangeably.

This idea circulates in my mind. I hope to use the simplest way, without glue or tools to hold onto the mobile phone on a bike, with the strap that can apply to the universal design of all mobile phones.

This was how the original design ideas of Tie Connect unfolded.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
The prototype of the tie connect system
bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
First edition

First edition

For the first sample, our goal is to design a binding system that can be tied to different sizes of mobile phones and can be locked on the bike mounts at the same time. Through the use of hard plastic material at the base, and to fix the mobile phone on bike mounts by rotating it.

The strap uses a soft silicone material, which is flexible and can hold onto different sizes of mobile phones.

We use the method of not bonding the two components, but it is difficult to effectively and tightly combine. Once trying to pull away a larger fixed mobile phone, the hard and soft components may come loose. The reason why Co Injection Molding or gluing is not used is for the environmental protection concept of being able to disassemble when the product is recycled.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
Second edition

Second edition

The anti-hook structure is made at the four corners, the protrude of the plastic hook the silicone body to prevent the soft and hard materials from separating. Based on this, it has also developed into a shape of four circles connected together. It can be stretched, be used steadily when holding onto a phone, and no need to worry it will deform the silicone when pulling it.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
Third edition

Third edition

Modified to a round shape, the shape is more concise, and the protruding body shape hides the anti-hook structure inside.

But there will be a problem:
The shape of the body is protruding, the snapping structure that enters the bike mounts cannot be used.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
Fourth edition

Fourth edition

Lower the height of the silicone rubber, allow the plastic to be cut flat and exposed, so that it can enter the bike mounts. However, there is less space to fix the mobile phone. When a bicycle is riding, the mobile phone is easy to shake back and forth.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
Fifth edition

Fifth edition

Increase the fixed area for mobile phones, and to enhance the stability.

But there is a problem. Although it is relatively stable, it will block most of the middle lens of the mobile phone to take pictures, and the appearance of the shape has also become much more complicated.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
Sixth edition

Sixth edition

Use the runway circle design to enlarge the fixed area with the mobile phone.

At this time, we are very happy to find a good idea that takes both stability and styling into consideration.

The round tie straps that tie the four corners of the phone are easy to slide. We have tested two different shapes of tie straps, from round to triangle to racetrack. Finally, the racetrack tie takes into account the strength and avoids the strap slide, and the surrounding straps are changed to triangles to prevent the phone from sliding.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike
In addition to the good appearance, the design would still be useless without taking care of the functions.

Thinking further, extending this structure, let's make a base that can be quickly disassembled and assembled with the tie connect.

The universal design of the bike tie mounts can be applied to different handles and stems.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release
The soft silicone will not damage your mobile phone or bicycle, and the quick assembly and disassembly design makes it easier to switch to different bicycles to use.

Apart from the Tie Connect, it can also be attached with a bicycle watch.

After testing, one strap is enough to support the phone, and the use has become faster and more convenient.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release
If you have two bicycles at home, the quick assemble/disassemble bike tie can be quickly switched

The tightening perforations are changed to parallel slots. After being tied, they fit better on the frame. It is suitable for different pipe diameters (2.2~4.7cm in diameter), and can disperse the vibration from the road to protect the mobile phone.

In addition, we also want to allow people who ride bicycles and running to be able to use a tie connect exchange system that can be used interchangeably.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release, run, run tie
Using the ingenious combination of stainless steel, silicon and plastic materials to design run tie mount.

Using the ingenious combination of three materials: stainless steel, silicon and plastic, design the run tie mount, collocate with tie connect.

With high tension skin-friendly straps, it provides you with stability and comfort in sports.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release, run, run tie
bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release, run, run tie
The high-tension skin-friendly straps provide you with stability and comfort during exercise

It is convenient to switch between cycling and running, sports or leisure. Tie Connect "running, cycling, mobile phone, binding system" has become a good partner when bringing mobile phones while exercising.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release, run, run tie
bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release, run, run tie
The Tie Connect System can quickly switch to cycling exercises, providing more possibilities for sports enthusiasts.

The design of the Tie Connect system was completed after 15 months of round-trip testing and modification. After considering the "environmental recycling, universality, beauty and function", this concept was finally implemented into a product with the efforts of all "Bone" colleagues.

bike watch, bike tie, bicycle, bike, outdoor, ride, exchange, mobile phone, mobile phone bike, silicone, quick attach and release, run, run tie

Looking back at 2009, the horn speaker inspired by inspiration has become the origin of extending a variety of creative ideas. Hoping this story that transforms life experience into creative inspiration can be helpful to product designers, people in the field of creativity, and people in the field of product research and development.

Creative inspiration is hidden in the details of life
Pay attention to every detail of life and transform it into creativity. Everyone can find new inspiration through their work and life.
Everything around: exercising, walking, shopping, reading, watching TV, surfing the internet, FB, Instagram, Line.
Every touched event can be an input of new information, as long as you observe carefully, and give a little imagination. Corresponding to your own work and life problems, maybe this information can provide a different perspective, solve your problem, increase your efficiency.

What is creativity?
Not only creative people can use it; Find inspiration in life, then it applies to all people.
When the inspiration is triggered, no matter how difficult it is, as long as you stick to it, then you will be able to complete it.
This is how creativity comes, and this is how difficult things are accomplished.

Bone encourages outdoor sports, running and cycling series items:
Bike Phone Holder series
Run Tie Series

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