Gallery: What if Our Hair Dryers and Blenders Worked Like Open Source Code?
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Open E-Components is a collection of appliances that combines consumer electronics functionality with Lego-like construction mechanisms. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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The system is comprised of five basic modules: a light socket, rotating motor, air heater, immersion heater, and a heated surface. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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The modules are covered by custom-designed, 3-D printed cases and combined with a library of accessories that allow a universe of consumer electronics to emerge. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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The fanciful gadgets in Tseng's collection are the result of a thoughtful analysis of consumer product manufacturing. *Image: Weilun Tseng*
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Tseng was also inspired by photographer [Todd McClellan](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/design/2013/06/see-an-autopsy-of-the-original-mac-in-things-come-apart/), who obsessively deconstructs mechanical objects. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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"The reason why I designed the components in such a simple, clear, even a little bit boring way, is because I want them to be as neutral as possible," says Tseng. "I wanted to create a clear blueprint, so I reduced other design factors that will attract irrelevant attention." *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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"Mass production is not a bad thing, but people do not think of what is hiding behind it," says Tseng. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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The system's biggest weakness is the failure to take advantage of specialized components—the aperture of a hair dryer probably shouldn't be the same as a table lamp. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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By limiting designers to five core modules they're robbed of their ability to balance power, size, and cost for specific applications. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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Designer Marco Gambino created a lamp/planter hybrid. He thinks the system has potential as a prototyping tool: "It gave me a totally different perspective towards electronics," he says. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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Designer Ming-han Tsai's combined a fan, air heater, and 3-D printed pipes to create a shoe dryer to help combat the damp climate of the Netherlands. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
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Emboldened by his first project, Tsai is considering designing products that don't have clear competitors at BestBuy. "I would like to make something crazier—a hatching farm for chickens," he says. *Photo: Ming-Han Tsai*
