Squeaky Star
: Portable Pressure Crisis Alarm
Overview
Motivation
Design
Team
Inspiration
Design
How it works
Storyboard : Crisis Response with 'Squeaky Star'
My Role
Duration
Tools
Seoul's tragedy in Itaewon exposed the dangers of overcrowding, a daily reality in subway and large events. Selfishness and silent suffering in such cramped spaces often lead to accidents. Squeaky Star, a new product designed to alert others to nearby danger, will help solve the problem. I led the design team and was responsible for design and modeling.
Friends at a crowded Halloween event felt trapped and unable to breathe due to the dense crowd. Their familiarity with such situations led to a lack of precaution. They experienced respiratory distress from the crowd pressure, rendering them speechless in danger. This experience motivated the development of an emergency alert device for similar situations.
Inspired by the concept of the "Squeaky Duck Toy", this device is capable of creating a sound when pressure is applied
During a Christmas event, I introduced my friends to this product and encouraged them to wear it, considering the possibility of a crowded gathering. Fortunately, there were no high-pressure situations, and everyone had a great time without any incidents. However, the necklace made them more aware and cautious in crowded environments.
Through the use of the Squeaky Star, I hope that people will be more alert in such situations, even if the actual functionality is not required, and that accidents like the one in Itaewon can be prevented in the future.
It takes the form of a necklace that is worn on the chest area. Additionally, it features a convenient handheld size, is lightweight, and is constructed from durable rubber material. Its design enhances its portability.
The device's color and shape incorporate a purple star as a symbol of remembrance for the Itaewon tragedy.
When a star is pressed, it is compressed and air is expelled, creating a sound.
At crowded festival
Crowd surges can create emergencies
'Squeaky star' triggered by chest compression
Alerting nearby people to provide help
What I've Learned