As a Product Strategist in our design team, Gladys works out of our Singapore office as one of the creative minds behind many of Uniq’s well-loved products. With Uniq’s aesthetics and philosophy in mind, Gladys reimagined the conventional laptop sleeve design with Oslo, a 2-in-1 laptop sleeve and smart stand.
For her innovative design, Oslo has gained recognition and won the IF Design Award 2023, one of the most prestigious international design awards since 1953 – with almost 11,000 entries from 56 countries this year. 
Here, Gladys shares her thoughts and inspirations.
I believe that understanding the needs, preferences, and values of users is the key to creating innovative and functional products that align with current lifestyle trends.
With Oslo, I felt that laptops had become a daily necessity in today's fast-paced world, especially with many working on the go. So I drew inspiration from the nomadic lifestyle of modern professionals who value simplicity and functionality that can be taken anywhere.
There were already a lot of laptop sleeves available. But I felt there was room to redefine the laptop sleeve into something that goes beyond protection. Specifically, I wanted to design one that could address the common problem of back pain among desk-bound professionals. Taking cues from folding envelopes and origami designs, we created Oslo – a sleeve that features a smart foldable stand that magnetically snaps in place to provide ergonomic support for individuals who work long hours on the go.
I have always been fascinated by products that allow people to feel joy while using them. Whether it's crafting quirky sock toys or capturing special moments at a family shoot, all my creative interests are ways I can leave an impact through emotional connections tied to these creations.
With regard to winning the IF Design Award 2023, all I can say is that I'm just humbled and inspired to do more. For us at Uniq, it goes beyond just protection for your devices. It’s really about creating everyday tools that make life simpler and better.
Discover Oslo for yourself.