S5 & A5
VanMoof
Responsibilities
- Team management
- Industrial design
- Project management
- Brand identity
- Prototyping
Project
- 2 year timeline
- 8 ind. designers (Taipei)
- Red Dot Design Award
The VanMoof S5 and A5 e-bikes represent the culmination of our previous bike development efforts. Based on extensive feedback from the SX3 series and findings from user studies, we put our focus on a few key areas for improvement. One major objective was to enhance ergonomics, as the S3 model had proven too tall for many users. We also explored new opportunities for modularity, aiming to make the bikes more adaptable to a variety of user needs. Improving parts compatibility between models was another focus, allowing for easier maintenance and customization. Altogether, these changes were designed to create a stronger, more versatile architecture for future development.
The SA5 was envisioned as our first step toward developing the ultimate commuter bike. I led the industrial design team in Taipei, which comprised eight designers with diverse areas of expertise.
R&R
Role & responsibility
My responsibilities on this project included sketching, concept development, 3D modeling, and prototyping. I created and maintained industrial design project briefs, led the ID team in Taipei, and facilitated communication between the Taipei and Amsterdam offices. I also co-hosted monthly company-wide R&D presentations, supported the ID team in aligning with our brand identity and vision, and helped communicate design concepts to the mechanical engineering team. Additionally, I managed the procurement and upkeep of tools for industrial and mechanical development, including 3D printers and software, while creating a collaborative atmosphere in the office.
For these bikes, I was involved in all major design decisions. My specific contributions included the development of the front and rear lights, the halo lights integrated into the handlebar, the frame, the front carrier, and several electronic modules.
Work
Process
The original roadmap aimed to fully replace the previous models with a platform designed for long-term development. The SX3 had not been built with scalability in mind, and the rapid growth it triggered had not been anticipated. With the SA5 concept, we focused on making key brand features more prominent, including the lighting system, handlebar displays, side-view silhouette, and the integrated chain cover.
Following the completion of the SA5 project, our attention shifted to future planning. Together with Marjolein Deun, I worked on developing an updated and comprehensive product roadmap for VanMoof. We established design and brand guidelines, refined our design process, and formulated a new mission statement that aligned with our shared goals and long-term vision of the company.
