the DESIGNER
In one word, what is good design?
Andrew believes good design is thoughtful; thoughtful to its users, place, and time. It is 2023, and there are too many poor functioning eye sores of products that somehow makes it way off the assembly line and into market. He wants to combat this behavior in which industries have become accustomed to, by validating every design choice.
He addresses sustainable design by innovating additional functions to extend the life cycle of a product, conscious material choices, and forms and visual languages alike that are too beautiful to discard.
featured articles
Lifeguard flotation device and harness by Andrew Lee, BID ’21
An industrial design studio challenges Pratt Institute students to identify what’s missing in medical care and create solutions.
August 11, 2021
By Ilana Novick
For Andrew Lee, BID ’21, the design inspiration was his training as a lifeguard and his instinct that there was a way to improve how beachfront lifeguards rescue people in open water. Specifically, he wanted to create a device that would give lifeguards more freedom, flexibility, and the ability to use all of their limbs while rescuing swimmers.
His project consists of two sections, a harness for the lifeguard, and an inflatable flotation device for the person in danger. “The lifeguard wears the vest that clips on the tethered flotation device while enroute to rescue,” Lee said. “They can then buckle the flotation device around the neck and chest of the immobile or unconscious swimmer and swim back to shore for immediate medical attention.” This leaves the lifeguard’s hands and legs free to swim, getting the victim to help faster.
Designs for the Portable Environments Studio by Andrew Lee
Industrial Design Students Improve PPE for Construction Work, Healthcare, Hospitality, Teaching & More
February 19, 2021
Face shields can offer another layer of protection when worn with a mask, yet there are few options currently available that are designed for specific settings. For instance, Andrew Lee, BID ’21, examined how a face shield could support hospitality industry workers. Because front-of-house restaurant workers are engaging directly with customers, they must be able to easily communicate while being protected from virus transmission. Using 3D-printed PLA plastic, a voice amplifying kit, and anti-fog coated PET material, Lee prototyped a comfortable face shield that could be worn with a mask and enhance communication, with an amplifier designed to be clipped on a belt or carried on a sling.
Andrew Lee, photo taken by Erwin Dionisio
LEE GOES UNDEFEATED TO TAKE PREDATOR PRO AM AMATEUR STOP AT GOTHAM CITY BILLIARDS
May 19, 2019
Andrew Lee got by John Morrison twice during the Predator Pro Am Tour’s visit to Gotham City Billiards on the weekend of May 18-19, and finished undefeated to claim the event title. According to tour director Tony Robles, the event was something of an experiment, designed to divide the normal crowds that show up for the tour’s A/B/C/D amateur events and lead to seriously late night/early morning finishes. Robles isolated the C/D players and invited them to the $1,800-added amateur event that drew 39 entrants to Gotham City Billiards.
In the Amateur event, Andrew Lee and John Morrison met first in a winners’ side semifinal as Zain Sundaram and Juan Melendez squared off in the other one. Sundaram survived a double hill battle versus Melendez to earn his spot in the hot seat match. Lee joined him after sending Morrison to the loss side 7-3. Lee claimed the hot seat 7-1 and waited for Morrison to complete his three-match, loss-side winning streak.
Melendez advanced to the quarterfinals with a double hill win over Jankov. Morrison downed Torres 7-4 to join him. Morrison took the quarterfinal match over Melendez 7-4 and then, defeated Sundaram 7-3 in the semifinals, to earn a shot at Lee in the hot seat.
Lee completed his undefeated run by allowing Morrison only a single rack in the finals. The 7-1 victory earned Lee the tour’s first-ever, strictly C/D amateur title.
The Hades Bar (Mixed Media)
Scholastics Arts & Writing 2012
J Art Studio Annandale, VA 22003
Grade 8
Educators: Ju Yun, Isaac Lange
Awarded: Gold Medal, American Visions Award, PRISMACOLOR Scholarship
BFG on the ISS: The BFG Sleeping Compartment Kit (rendering) in place with expedition 33, Commander Sunita Williams floating in the inside of Tranquility module. BFG, TWC Workshop & NASA LBJ Space Center
Core77 Design Awards 2021
Student Notable Built Environment Award
TEAM Bed for Goldilocks (Ellen Ren, Jihun Kang, Andrew Lee)
Pratt Institute: Professor Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman
NASA LBJ Space Center Mentor: Captain Robert Trevino
Unlike crew onboard the ISS, future spacecraft of limited capacity cannot provide them with dedicated sleeping compartments. Without privacy, astronauts do not have a place to tend to their personal needs. Microgravity environments cause discomfort and improper ventilation, putting astronauts at risk of suffocation from stagnant carbon dioxide. Heavy materials burden costs and potency of spacecraft. Regardless of the duration of spaceflights, these factors prove to reduce astronauts' efficiency and productivity in outer space.
BFG stands for Bed for Goldilocks, which is intended to grant maximum comfort for the astronauts during their stay in space-- just like the perfect bed for Goldilocks. The design makes use of Acoustic Multipurpose Cargo Transfer Bags (AMCTBs), with materials specifically used on spaceflights. MCTBs are layered with Nomex and Durette, which are premium grade textiles. The sleeping compartments satisfy the allotted volume of 53 cubic ft. with a workspace, a designated storage for personal effects, and has ample room to change their clothes. The air in the sleeping compartments is ventilated to prevent suffocation from stagnant carbon dioxide due to microgravity. Within the volume parameters, this stowable sleeping compartment is also a personal enclosure that provides astronauts in future spacecraft with maximum comfort and ease by effectively using AMCTBs. These individual sleeping compartments are easily assembled, deployed, and stowed away and have personalizing features to provide an enjoyable private space in limited capacity spacecraft.
Humans have been fiddling around in space only for the last few decades, which means there’s a lot more to learn about being exposed to zero gravity. But the effects we are aware of we combat with inventions such as the Bed For Goldilocks sleeping compartment.
BFG Sleeping Compartment Is a Student Design Already Tested by ISS Astronauts
June 28, 2021
Folks, it’s simple, humans need to rest no matter where they are, even more so in space as life up there can be quite demanding. As a solution to help astronauts rest properly and under optimum conditions, a group of students from Pratt Institute has gotten together with a NASA mentor to bring about an easy to use, compact and effective sleeping module.
The main idea behind the project meets several criteria that astronauts need while in space. Objects like this need to be small, if modular, even better, able to clean the air inside and capable of storing personal effects.
As it stands, the compartment occupies a volume of 53 cu ft (1,500 liters) and includes a workspace, storage area for belongings, room to change your clothing, and of course, the possibility to sleep. One other feature included is ventilators as stagnant CO2 is an issue in space and can even lead to suffocation. All that’s solved, and then some.
Now, the Bed For Goldilocks (BFG) isn’t necessarily for use on the ISS (International Space Station), even though the project was tested there, but rather on future spacecraft meant for traveling through space with very limited capacity. With that, the final trick this module can perform is that of being reduced to the size of a small suitcase or cube.
The design revolves around the use of something known as Acoustic Multipurpose Cargo Transfer Bags (AMCTBs), which are then filled with materials to be used in the construction of the module or the journey.
To build the module, an astronaut must take six AMCTBs, empty them out, and unfold four of them. Once unfolded, the four AMCTBs are connected using an intermediary segment and zippers, lots of zippers. In some cases, Velcro and snaps can be used..
Once the main structure is set, the remaining AMCTBs are to be attached to the door. This way, once you’re ready for bed, you can easily grab your accessories and head inside the module. When not in use, these compartments can be easily broken down into their original components and stored.
One final feature the team included was being able to anchor the module down to the aircraft it’s in. By making use of simple carabiners, the compartment is secured in place and won’t be floating around the ship while you’re asleep.
Inside the module, not much is found; after all, it’s mostly meant for sleeping. But astronauts can find room for a couple of AMCTBs, a light, Velcro walls, and a folding workstation that's out of the way until you need it. Here, the inhabitant can place a laptop or a mug of morning coffee. Oh wait, never mind. I don’t think that last one will be in a mug; astronauts usually have foods and drinks stored in pouches to prevent spilling.
As for the sleeping itself, the designs show that an astronaut will be in a sort of sleeping bag, which is strapped to one of the walls of the module. Why? Kind of the same reason why foods and drinks are in pouches, and the module is anchored to the spacecraft: to keep the astronaut from floating around while sleeping and possible getting injured.
It's a simple idea, easy to use, and offers astronauts the necessary equipment they need to get a good night’s rest. Come to think of it, why didn’t I think of it. Maybe this summer is a good time for me to come up with something similar and sell it to NASA. Why not?
Editor's note:
This article was not sponsored or supported by a third-party.
Project team includes:
Ellen Zhengyi Ren - Team Member
Jihun Kang - Team Member
Andrew Lee - Team Member
Professor Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman - Professor
Captain Robert Trevino - NASA Mentor
Andrew Lee, photo taken by Erwin Dionisio
9th annual George “Ginky” sansouci memorial 2019
Steinway Billiards, Astoria Queens
May 25-27, 2019
Awarded: 7th Place
the student
His interest in the game of billiards falls far beyond leisure. His competitive ambitions and eagerness to improve technique and decision making heighten his sensitivity to spatial acuity that completes a mind and body synchronization.
Being an early-bird and a night owl, you may catch him after-hours in New York City.
the martial artist
Andrew NH Lee is a first dan (black belt) Kendo/Kumdo practitioner. It is a modern martial art that derives from Japanese kenjutsu, swordsmanship. It is a not for self-defense or combat but for discipline.
Kendo translates to “the way of the sword,” where the mind and body must be synchronized to strike a killing blow. A respectful attitude and peaceful spirit is trained and tested in this martial art.
Other works
Alongside design work, Lee has a passion for making. As someone whose interests are vast, he finds being a generalist more suitable for him.
Ultimately, he identifies as a strategist, one who assesses the possible approaches to logically elect the most promising outcomes; with belief it will arrive to something original, or validate existing solutions.