I spotted this design for a combination door handle and lock from a Yanko design feed. What I really like about it is that it does two things really well.

Firstly, I solves a problem that I didn’t know existed. And, secondly it does more with less.

Let me explain.

1. Solves a problem the doesn’t really exist: With so much turmoil in the world with financial meltdowns, energy and climate crisises, and war and famine; does re-designing an door hand and a lock really make a difference? I mean is it really a problem that we have a handle and a lock, and have to manually reshuffle the combination. I don’t have an answer other than I don’t think it matters anyway. The fact that designers can see ways to improve everyday things is good enough for me.
2. Do more with less: Combining objects and functions into a new design is a great pathway to innovation. This design does it well. There is physically less hardware (less cost?), setting the combination can be done while your hand is on the handle (less effort), and you don’t even have to reshuffle the combination when finished (less thinking!).

Related Posts:

• Vision of the future
• why didn’t I think of that
• An honest look at the problem – Gateway to the Solution

Tags: Design Thinking, Problem Solving