stumble

Stumbling around the internet as you do and you manage to find some ridiculously cool ideas.
This is a beer case concept straight out of Luis Luna's portfolio http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Beer-Crate/197437

Never again will you need to do a servo run for ice!

concept refinement

A quick render to bring insight into how a motion sensitive speaker might look

Ball joints are used to connect the unit together

Mounting is achieved with the use of spun aluminium

Sound information is wirelessly transmitted to the speaker

Power can be hidden in the wall

Concept Sketches

Concept 1

Created as a complete computer sound system, this concept draws upon user interaction, with a docking station incorporated with a removable remote. While in use, the remote remains a volume control until it is removed when it then becomes a whole computer media controller.
Form and colour are solely based on the colour palette described in the product maps where metals are contrasted with a dark, mature colour scheme.


Concept 2

Based on surface vibration technology, this concept explores sound emitted, in this case, through a pane of glass. At the heart of this is US Navy sonar research, whom take advantage of a material called Terfenol which expands and contracts with massive force.. It is currently being used in a product aptly named the Soundbug. Form, however is based on architectural influences, whilst the concept is expected to create a new take on speakers in the home.



Concept 3

Sound directive technology allows sound to travel in a specific path and not be heard elsewhere. This concept demonstrates a mechanical means of following the user around, through a combination of motion sensors and spun aluminium actuators, which allows the speaker body to pivot. Heavily inspired by hinge and dampening mechanisms, the speaker set (2 in a set) provokes the "Joneser" curiosity of technology and quality.

urban tribes

IF you want to know more about the joneses here is an excellent site talking about the ins and out of their personality traits and icons
http://www.generationjones.co.uk/gen_jones/

Using some of this information as well as buying magazines and having some one on one research time with this focus group the concept/ product maps were made.

Knowing that the Joneses are a key player in the technology sector (the Joneses account for a third of all internet usage) compounded with their high income is reflected in the technological product market chosen.

Key to the success was to ensure that the technology was to be harnessed in an interactive way, alongside using the key visual identity of product's already targeting this market.

Set up of the user scenario tries to humanize technology as it usually acts as the most personal outlet for this urban tribe member.

The brief was written to give structure to what was going to be prototyped in a practical sense.

Here are some early concept sketches, using the principles of the product map visual language. The design is for a set of speakers where the speaker faces upwards to maximize sound quality and harness sound technology.
Furthermore, an interface device wirelessly connects both speakers. Power is supplied by no contact transmission similar to that of an electric tooth brush. To evoke this sense of character and humanized technology the interface has a detachable remote, for use as a conventional volume control when attached, and then use as a media centre remote when lifted from the base.