Interviews mit Li Sung Shan

Since childhood, I’ve had a knack for solving problems. My dream? To make a positive impact on the world. Back in high school, I designed eco-friendly products to help those in need. By age 17, I’d already launched my personal collection, “Jason’s Collection.” Fast forward to 2011—I founded THINKTHING STUDIO Limited. My mantra? Create products that matter. If something already exists, I won’t duplicate it; that’d just add to excess production. But if there’s an unsolved problem on our planet, count me in. I taught myself electronics, structures, and product design, hoping to channel my knowledge and creativity to help others and tackle real-world issues.

Our company isn’t just about products; it’s a dream realized. We’re a tribe of like-minded souls, united by the vision of “Solving Problems, Changing the World.” Our brand philosophy revolves around three Cs:

Conversion: We strip away noise, preserving the essence of design to solve the core issue.

Connection: Every person holds untapped potential. By linking minds, we unleash powerful creativity.

Creation: We believe in our innate ability to think creatively. With the right application, we can devise inspiring solutions that benefit others.

Design is my oxygen—it flows naturally. As a problem-solver, I can’t help but tackle everyday challenges. Take FPV Drones, for instance. Their CPUs tend to overheat, and most drone housings are plastic. So, I designed a foldable metal FPV housing—better heat dissipation, longer CPU lifespan, and enhanced safety. Even with my own car, I brainstorm auto accessories. Design isn’t a job; it’s woven into my life as a designer and inventor.

As a designer and inventor, I don’t limit myself to specific products. My portfolio spans foldable pens, eco-friendly straws, power banks, chargers, phone accessories, drone structures, carabiners, wireless charging desk lamps, water bottles—even architectural concepts. It’s not about the products; it’s about the thrill of problem-solving. Success lies in using my creativity to make Earth more convenient, one design at a time.

MagSafer 2.0, the winner of the A Design Award, embodies my essence as a designer. It’s not just a power bank; it’s a statement. Imagine a power bank that defies wires—both for charging itself and your devices. MagSafer 2.0 achieves this wireless utopia. Its design? A nod to Bauhaus principles—clean lines, functionality, and purpose. No superfluous curves or unnecessary parts—just like my logical, straight-thinking self. And the double-sided magnet? It securely attaches to any surface, freeing your hands from charging cables. MagSafer 2.0 isn’t just a product; it’s my design philosophy in action!

After founding my company, my very first creation was the FLIPEN—a foldable pen. The inspiration? A friend from church wanted a commemorative item to aid Bible reading. So, I put on my thinking cap and designed a pen that could double as a bookmark. But here’s the twist: FLIPEN isn’t your typical cylindrical pen. When folded, it takes on a sleek triangular shape. Why? Well, when we grip a pen, we naturally use three fingers—forming a triangle. So, a triangular FLIPEN feels more ergonomic than its cylindrical counterparts. And guess what? It’s not just a pen; it’s also a bookmark! With an internal magnet, FLIPEN securely attaches to book pages, making it a reader’s best friend.

I have a strong affinity for titanium alloy because of its exceptional hardness. I once used titanium alloy to create the casing for the MagSafer 2.0, which I personally assembled. Although the assembly process was challenging, the satisfaction I felt upon completing it was immense.

My most creative moments occur when I encounter a problem. As an inventor and designer, I’m constantly thinking about solutions. Inspiration strikes swiftly because my mind is always at work, analyzing and seeking answers.

When designing, I emphasize a product’s usability. While aesthetics matter, true value lies in substance. Otherwise, it’s just a pretty piece of trash. Practicality is paramount in product design.

Designing makes me happy and fulfilled. Problem-solving is my passion. I strive for excellence, envisioning customer scenarios and using my skills to address any issues. The process is exhilarating.

Achieving a product’s realization is incredibly exciting. My designs often focus not only on appearance but also on production techniques and innovative technologies. Take my award-winning MagSafer 2.0, the world’s first wireless charging power bank that simultaneously supports input and output. It took extensive research and development, and the success feels rewarding and thrilling.

A product’s success isn’t solely about its appearance. Many products look different but offer similar functionality. To truly innovate, I focus on solving user problems. This requires knowledge in engineering, electronics, product structure, and production processes. Only then can a product come to life.

When evaluating a design, I consider two critical angles. First, does it genuinely solve a problem and meet users’ needs? Second, is the design built for longevity? A short-lived design risks being phased out by the market, which is environmentally unsustainable.

As a designer, I believe our responsibility lies in avoiding superfluous creations that contribute to production pollution and unnecessary products. My designs address unmet market needs and prioritize longevity. Sustainable products endure over time, minimizing waste—a duty we bear as designers.

While I haven’t participated in exhibitions, I’m honored that the MagSafer 2.0 power bank, which won the A Design Award, also received the German Design Award a few months ago.

My design inspiration stems from everyday life, but most importantly, I contemplate how our Creator designed this world. The golden ratio, physics, aesthetics—they’re all interconnected. By exploring the divine and understanding His methods, I integrate these skills into my designs.

Bauhaus Design captivates me due to its pure rationality. It eschews unnecessary lines, emphasizing both problem-solving and genuine sustainability. In this way, it aligns with my design philosophy.

I live in Hong Kong, which is a place where East meets West. Hong Kong indeed stands at the crossroads of cultures, seamlessly blending Eastern and Western influences. Its vibrant modern cityscape coexists harmoniously with centuries-old traditions. Whether it’s cuisine, art, architecture, or language, Hong Kong showcases a diverse and rich cultural tapestry

Email info@thinkthingstudio.com

Inspired by Elon Musk’s First Principles and the Bauhaus philosophy of "less is more," I reimagined the traditional power bank design. Most power banks are boxy, with components arranged in a conventional grid. I challenged this norm by experimenting with battery placement. After testing various configurations with four 21700 batteries, I discovered that arranging them in a diamond pattern significantly reduced wasted space. This layout not only saved volume but also aligned with ergonomic principles, similar to the diamond-shaped grip of an archery bow, making the power bank more comfortable to hold. Interestingly, I later learned that Tesla’s electric vehicle battery packs use a similar diamond arrangement, reinforcing the efficiency of this approach.For the circuit board, I noticed that traditional single-board designs consumed excessive space. To optimize, I split the board into two layers, stacking them vertically to reduce the footprint. Additionally, I arranged the board components by height, placing taller parts strategically to minimize volume. This approach not only made the power bank more compact but also reduced material usage, aligning with my belief that good design is inherently sustainable—using fewer resources while ensuring durability.

Most power banks use plastic, which is a poor thermal conductor. In contrast, aluminum alloy is an excellent heat conductor, a choice I also implemented in my previous A' Design Award-winning power bank, MagSafer 2.0. By using aluminum, the Superbank efficiently dissipates heat generated during charging, lowering internal temperatures and extending battery lifespan. This durability reduces the need for frequent replacements, minimizing waste. Unlike plastic shells that trap heat and accelerate battery degradation, aluminum ensures the power bank remains functional for years, supporting my vision of sustainable electronics that prioritize longevity and resource efficiency over disposable designs.

As a small company with limited resources, I faced challenges navigating global tariff policies. To make the Superbank accessible worldwide while avoiding high tariffs, I designed it for local assembly. By simplifying the assembly process to just four screws, I ensured that the power bank could be easily put together in various regions. This approach not only reduces shipping costs and tariff barriers but also creates local job opportunities. The minimalist assembly design reflects my commitment to practical, scalable solutions that benefit both the business and global communities.

The hook design emerged from a practical need I encountered as a YouTuber and product photographer. While shooting promotional content for the Superbank, I often used tripods to charge cameras and lighting equipment. Most power banks lack a way to attach to tripods, forcing me to use cable ties, which were cumbersome and required tools to remove. To address this, I integrated a hook into the Superbank’s design, allowing it to hang securely on tripods or other setups. During testing, I discovered an added benefit: the hook also protects the charging port from damage if the power bank is dropped. This accidental feature enhanced the product’s durability, making it both practical and robust.

High charging speeds and heat management are interconnected. High temperatures increase electrical resistance, slowing charging performance. Plastic power banks trap heat, causing them to throttle charging speeds as they warm up. To overcome this, I used an aluminum alloy shell for the Superbank, which rapidly dissipates heat, keeping internal temperatures low. This ensures consistent 130W performance without thermal throttling. By prioritizing heat dissipation, I addressed the technical challenge of maintaining high charging speeds while enhancing the user experience and extending the device’s lifespan.

My design philosophy focuses on eliminating unnecessary features to reduce waste and costs while meeting user needs. Instead of adding multiple port types or flashy elements like LCD screens, I streamlined the Superbank’s design. For example, I excluded USB-A ports, which are outdated and rarely used for fast charging, opting for two USB-C PD ports that meet modern standards. I also removed the LCD screen, as devices already display charging information, rendering such screens redundant. By focusing on essential functionality—compact size, high performance, and a practical hook—I created a lean, sustainable product that minimizes material use and production costs while delivering what users truly need.

To achieve a compact yet high-performing design, I rethought component arrangement. I arranged the four 1700mAh batteries in a diamond pattern to minimize wasted space and split the circuit board into two stacked layers, reducing its footprint. I also organized board components by height to further optimize volume. To maintain 130W performance, I used an aluminum alloy shell, which efficiently dissipates heat, reducing internal temperatures and electrical resistance. These choices ensured a small form factor without compromising safety or charging efficiency, delivering a powerful, portable solution.

In markets like Hong Kong, power banks are often treated as disposable due to high repair costs. This leads to significant waste, as functional components are discarded along with faulty ones. My design philosophy counters this by prioritizing repairability. The Superbank’s four-screw assembly allows easy disassembly, enabling technicians to replace specific parts, such as a faulty circuit board, without discarding the entire unit. This approach, also used in my previous award-winning MagSafer 2.0, extends product lifespan and reduces waste. I envision a consumer electronics industry that values durability and repairability, encouraging designs that minimize environmental impact by enabling products to last for years, not months.

Winning the Bronze A' Design Award is a significant affirmation of my work, given the award’s credibility and prestige. It motivates me to continue designing sustainable, impactful products that address real user needs while minimizing environmental harm. The recognition reinforces my commitment to creating electronics that prioritize efficiency, repairability, and longevity. Moving forward, I aim to push the boundaries of sustainable design, inspiring positive change in the industry through innovative, eco-conscious solutions.

While thermal adhesive isn’t new, integrating it effectively into the Superbank required careful design. I used thermal silicone gel to transfer heat from internal components to the aluminum shell. To maximize efficiency, I designed the assembly process to compress the gel during construction, ensuring it spreads evenly and contacts the aluminum shell. This allows heat to transfer directly to the shell, which dissipates it rapidly. The result is lower internal temperatures, reduced electrical resistance, and improved charging performance. This solution enhances user experience and extends the power bank’s lifespan, aligning with my goal of combining existing technologies in innovative ways for sustainable outcomes.

Initially, I never intended to design the world's first simultaneous wireless charging power bank. The idea for MS 2.0 came from my MS 1.0 magnetic adapter, a double-sided magnetic accessory. I attached one MS 1.0 negative pole to the wall and the positive pole to the phone, allowing the phone to magnetically attach to the wall, which was very convenient. However, the issue arose when the phone ran out of battery, as it couldn't charge and stay magnetically attached at the same time. I thought of applying this function to a power bank. While there are some MagSafe power banks, they lack magnetic strength on the back, so I added an extra MagSafe magnet. I then thought, why not also add MagSafe magnetic input? Thus, the development of MS 2.0 began. The entire process was very intuitive and straightforward, not deliberate. It's amazing how this led to the creation of the world's first simultaneous wireless charging power bank.

The production of MS 2.0 occurred during the 2021 pandemic when many factories were closed, and the pandemic and wars caused raw material prices to rise, posing numerous challenges. This being a pioneering technology, there were no reference circuit boards available, so I communicated and collaborated with engineers daily. We faced many failures, such as unresponsive charging batteries or unsynchronized input and output. We tried many methods and revised the circuit boards multiple times. In the end, we successfully developed MS 2.0.

Producing a new product during COVID-19 was incredibly challenging. I was in Hong Kong, while the factory was in Mainland China, and travel restrictions made it impossible to visit. We had to communicate production and development progress via phone and video calls. Additionally, MS 2.0 was being crowdfunded on Indiegogo, and we had to meet the deadline to ship to backers, making the timeline very tight. Although we had to delay the crowdfunding shipment, we were grateful for the understanding from our backers. Despite the lower efficiency of remote communication, we ultimately succeeded in developing MS 2.0.

MS 2.0 is not the first electronic product to use a metal aluminium casing. Apple has long used aluminium alloy for MacBook casings. As an Apple fan and MacBook user, I found the metal casing greatly improved heat dissipation, enhancing the MacBook's performance. This inspired me to use aluminium alloy for my power bank. The aluminium casing quickly dissipates internal battery heat, reducing resistance and improving charging efficiency. Although metal casings can feel hotter than plastic ones, plastic casings trap heat, keeping batteries at a high temperature, which is more dangerous. By dissipating heat, MS 2.0 extends battery life and ensures safety and durability.

MS 2.0 has 36 magnets on each side, equivalent to two MagSafe magnetic rings per side. Regular MagSafe power banks have only one ring, but we found that some users' phone cases had weak MagSafe magnets. To compensate, we added double the magnetic strength, providing a better user experience with secure phone attachment and improved charging stability.

I'm a Bauhaus enthusiast, and all my designs follow its principles. I believe the "less is more" philosophy is the most eco-friendly and sustainable. The MS 2.0 design follows the layout of the circuit board, battery, coils, and magnets, shaped according to their dimensions. For example, the battery's oval shape dictated the oval design of MS 2.0, saving unnecessary parts and space, reducing material costs, and creating a timeless design that can last for decades without becoming outdated.

That's a great question, and it touches on a key factor of MS 2.0's fast charging speed. Typically, 5000mAh power banks use 0.5C or 1C batteries, which charge slower. Like a water pipe, a 1C battery is like a 1-meter wide pipe, while a 1.5C battery is 1.5 meters wide, allowing faster output. The faster output generates heat, so we use aluminium alloy for MS 2.0's casing to enhance heat dissipation, ensuring safe operation and faster charging than standard power banks.

Winning the A Design Award is a significant affirmation of my creativity and development journey. I'm not exclusively a power bank designer; my designs span various categories, including lamps, drones, eco-friendly straws, foldable pens, speakers, and membership systems. The A Design Award encourages me, to recognise my contributions to the world. I aim to make life easier and improve others' lives. My products are packaged by St. James' Settlement sheltered workshops, where I design tools to help disabled individuals package products efficiently. Design encompasses more than profitable products; it's also about creating tools that make life easier and more convenient. I'm grateful for the A Design Award for the opportunity to share my designs with more people.

I confidently claim that MS 2.0 is one of the best wireless charging power banks on the market. Designed in 2021, its design remains relevant in 2024, with no other power bank offering simultaneous wireless charging. This demonstrates the complexity of the design and functionality. Currently, I'm focusing on other product areas, such as the 10,000mAh SUPERBANK with a unique stand design, which recently won the Muse Design Award. I won't stop innovating, continually designing new and innovative features, beyond electronic circuits.

THINKTHING STUDIO's core philosophy is to make a better world. MS 2.0's standout feature is its simultaneous wireless charging input and output, something users hadn't considered before. Traditionally, users charged power banks and phones separately, requiring an extra step. MS 2.0 allows both to charge on a 15W wireless charger with a single step, simplifying the charging process and enhancing the user experience. Imagine coming home after a long day and placing both your phone and MS 2.0 on a wireless charger, with strong MagSafe alignment ensuring no charging or alignment issues. This ease of use aligns with our mission to improve lives and enhance product experiences, making a better world.