Graduate designer Min-Kyu Choi saw a design problem and he’s fixed it! Last night Korean born Choi won the Brit Insurance Design Award for his folding plug . He has dramatically improved the present chunky design by creating a slim, elegant, inclusive design solution which could very possible be used universally in the future. The plug is less than 1cm thick and is very easy to use- simply turn the pins and open the cover.
Choi recognised the need for a better solution whilst using his super slim MacBook Air. Many people transport their laptops, adapter leads and plugs from place to place and while the ultra slim laptop slides easily into any small bag, the chunky plug can be difficult to store and it can rip into papers and damage other belongings. The new folding plug accompanies the Mac Air beautifully and we predict that in the future, Choi’s design will be used widely and not just for laptops.
The original chunky plug, designed in 1946, was not constructed with mobility in mind however Min-Kyu Choi has made the new plug thinner and much easier to use. Antony Gormley who chaired this year’s judging panel, called the invention thought-through, responsive and modest “the folding plug shows how intelligent, elegant and inventive design can make a difference to everyone’s life”.
Congratulations Min-Kyu!
