Core77

Commute Culture May Have Just Peaked with this Passive Aggressive Fashion

By erika - December 12, 2013

in Fashion Design

No one really likes commuting (except maybe those who have readily accepted "Tube Games" into their daily routine). We might temporarily curb our discontent with a few minutes buried in a good book, slowly head-bobbing to music or eyeing the cute straphanger across the train. It doesn't push past the fact that no one likes being crammed into a sweaty sardine can with a crowd of groggy people on their way to work.

If anyone has come even remotely close to making that scenario the least bit enjoyable, it's industrial designer Siew Ming Cheng. She's put together a commuter get-up that'll keep even the bravest of morning riders at bay. Just make sure you aren't on the receiving end.

Cheng's creation, "Spike Away," was the product of a two-day workshop at the National University of Singapore. Students were directed to come up with a "Chindõgu"—the Japanese art of designing gadgets to solve a mundane problem. Cheng decided to focus on maintaining your personal space during the crowded peak hours of the public transit system. Her question: "What would happen if I wore a vest of spikes?"

Students were given half a day to find their chosen materials and put together a working prototype. Cheng's design features a handy store find: strips of spiky, flexible plastic she found in the gardening section, which is intended to keep pets away from plants.

I can imagine the reactions now: Babies on their way to daycare being pulled in closer to their parents, curious toddlers poking and prodding the vest, commuters actually paying attention to where they're slinging their work totes—and a potential disaster for rogue earbud cords. All in all, from a seat far away this could just make the morning commute a much more entertaining place.

What do you think—do any of you have a quirky solution to the self-centered commuter crowds on public transit?

Via CNET

o

Favorite This
Q
6

Comment

Comments

Sean

11 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Self centered in the way that using a condom is selfish. Let's break down the photo of Siew Ming. The guy on the right over her left shoulder: Do you see that pit sweat? That guy's sweaty pit would be right in Siew Ming's face if it weren't for the spikes. Biological attack #1 thwarted. Now the guy in the back left immediately over her right shoulder: He is totally checking her out! At the first stop he is surely going to be the guy that seemingly can't keep his balance and will lean in for a little unwelcome groping session. He is keeping his balance now isn't he? Sexual attack thwarted. Now the next guy to the left in the striped shirt. This guy is completely wasted. Just look at him. After a long night out at the bars, striped shirt guy is about to lose the two slices of pizza he just scarfed down right on to Siew Ming. Not anymore. Biological attack #2 thwarted. Now the last and seemingly innocent passenger, the cute girl with the glasses in the front left of the frame: Where is she looking? That's right, she is gazing down right at Siew Ming's pocket book while everyone is trying not to get sprayed by stripes guy's meat lover's pizza. Despite the perfect distraction, cute glasses thief can't reach into Siew Ming's bag because she doesn't want to risk getting spiked. Would be pick-pocket thwarted. All Siew Ming is saying is look: "Give me 6-inches people. Or get spiked." It's not like she is going all puffer fish and pushing people around. Nobody likes an aggressive puffer fish. I am with you on that. See... you just have to look at the picture! It speaks a million words as they say. But seriously. Don't be so serious.
!Report as spam
pierre

11 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Self centered? of course it is, a solution that helps you while hurting the other can't be antything but self centered, no need to argue about that.
Having said that, a two days workshop can't bring a real solution, and every project will be quite guimmickly, but I really like this one.
!Report as spam
Sean

11 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Self centered? No way. When modes of transportation require people to touch their mucus membranes against you the maximum capacity was exceeded long ago. You already have to breathe all the same air which makes me want to put bags over peoples heads that haven't learned how to cover their sneezes. I would take it a step further and electrify each little spike and also have a little CO2 powered Predator-like shoulder canon that shoots little tranq darts at people who don't cover their sneezes. Like Carlos said, I would also market this as "Black Friday" body armor to protect you from crazed shoppers. This is revolutionary!
!Report as spam
Sean

11 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Haha! This thing is awesome! Siew Ming Cheng is like the Mad Max of commuters.
!Report as spam
Aniruddha

11 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I thought the same thing up when I was a kid and immediately realised that it doesn't really make any sense.
In public transport, most people bump and brush against you because of overcrowding. The only way they can move to exit is to gentally nudge past people blocking their path.
In overcrowded modes of transport if everyone wore one of these it would reduce the maximum carrying capicity. I think this solution is self centered and would surely get one beaten up in some countries.
!Report as spam
carlos

11 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

makes me think of the improvised armor in mad max.
this would be useful in the crowded trains and busses of manila.
and during the christmas shopping rush. :)
!Report as spam