3. Brand Studies
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Environment
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Apple Inc. is a multinational corporation which sells the Mac computers, iPod music players, the
iPad tablets and the iPhone smartphones.
Apple’s design process:
1. Believe in the simple
2. Design a full experience
3. Lock customers in
4. Sell at a premium
5. Cross-sell the product line
Apple recently conglomerated Beats and it has started to change its audio products into the
design of Apple. It uses complex manufacturing methods to make every part of its product. Their
products use the most unusual screws for attaching parts, their own technology to develop
something different and yet something to link users back to their other products. They have
created so much brand loyalty with their products that their customers won’t switch brands even
if another brand is more advanced or better looking.
iPhone 6 costed about £130 to manufacture but was sold for more than £450 without a carrier.
Apple, therefore makes thrice the profit of making a single iPhone.
Bose is a multinational corporation which sells docks, radios, speaker systems, headphones,
earphones, sound bars and other audio devices.
Its docks are very simplistic with good sound quality and usually some these have a unique
aesthetic feature, such as the grille or the touch buttons. They have created a brand image by
selling their products at a premium and this has helped to create brand loyalty. Most of their
products are either docks or sound systems for home cinemas. Their products are highly
expensive when it comes to cinema systems however the sound quality is so realistic and
immersive that most people wouldn’t think twice to buy them.
Although most of their manufacturing is done in metal, the company does tend to use plastic
for its docks as it is lighter and cheaper. Unlike Apple, the cost of the product is very close to the
cost of manufacturing, although the cost of the product is rather higher than those of other
companies. The company still makes a lot of profit from a single product due to the add-ons in
its products, brand loyalty from its users and its reasonably lower manufacturing cost.
Better Sound through Research
I have chosen these two brands since these are very popular
and the styles of both the companies are very unique,
innovative and attractive. Personally, I quite like the
products of the two companies and possibly, trying to merge
them, could result in a product which could entice a wide
range of users while selling at a premium. Both of these
companies are very good at creating brand loyalty and
therefore an addition to their collection, using my design,
could help to increase their user base and knock out other
competitors. These two companies have a high public
opinion and a profit margin, and although their unique
selling points are rather small, they still manage to entice
many people into buying their products.
4. Apple Product Analysis
Product Name:
iPod 5
Price: £250
Dimensions:
Height: 4.86 inches (123.4
mm)
Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm)
Depth: 0.24 inch (6.1 mm)
Weight: 3.10 ounces (88
grams)
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Slim and sleek
Easy to Use
Touchscreen
Retina Display
3.5mm Audio Jack
Speakers
5MP Camera Smooth Edges
Product Analysis (Primary):
The iPod 5 is very unique because it is very light, sleek and slender and this does not compromise on the hardware within it. It is very fast and it is perfectly suitable for listening to high quality music.
It is very safe as it has a long lasting rechargeable battery and it can perform many other functions apart from listening to music. The aesthetic and its ergonomic design gives it its own beauty which
can be outmatched by no other device. It is inimitable as Apple has used the best technology possible to make the creation of the iPod 5 possible. The lightning adapter is also very small and unique
and very user friendly because the wire can be inserted in both ways.
Ergonomic Lightning Adapter
Simple Home
Button
The iPod 5 is portable and can be
recharged using a very small charging
adapter. Its battery life is long lasting too
and has additional functions such as the
touchscreen and the camera. It has very
good graphics and excellent speed while
surfing on the internet or playing games.
Smooth Anodized finish
Smooth Chamfer
This is my primary product analysis done at home
and I have reviewed the product so I can try to
include the characteristics of it into my design.
I have looked into the new 5th
generation iPod touch as inspiration
for a speaker, a remote and as a
brand. With its Bluetooth it would be
an ideal user remote and an app
would make it just as reliable. This
would be a great idea because most
people nowadays have a smartphone
of some sort, iOS, Android or
Windows Phone. An app supported
by these operating systems would
mean that the user would take more
care of the remote and would be less
likely to lose it.
•4-inch (diagonal) widescreen display with Multi-Touch IPS technology
•Retina display
•1136x640-pixel resolution at 326 pixels per inch
•800:1 contrast ratio (typical)
•500 cd/sq.m max brightness (typical)
•Fingerprint-resistant coating
5. Panasonic Product Analysis
Product Name:
Panasonic SC-HC38DB
Price: £200
Dimensions:
Height: 204 mm
Width: 500 mm
Depth: 84 mm
Weight: 2.6 kg
Features:
CD Player
FM and DAB/DAB+ Ready
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Connectivity App
iPhone 5/5S Dock
Power Sliding Door with Auto Sliding Dock
Wall Mountable
Product Analysis (Primary):
This Panasonic Dock Speaker is able to wirelessly stream music using Bluetooth. It also includes DAB+ and
FM radio with a motorised sliding door that conceals a CD player and an iPod/iPhone dock for 5th generation
devices. Panasonic's audio expertise uses the latest technology to deliver outstanding sound clarity. The
crystal edge design adds elegance and beautifully blends this system in with any decoration. This speaker
system fits perfectly into any room especially the kitchen, bedroom or living room and is perfect for a homely
environment although its large size makes it very bulky and not very portable.
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“excellent sound bass and surround”
“stylish and modern”
“easy to use”
“portable”
“fantastic sound quality” Click to
Open dock
Click to Open
CD Player
Buttons on Top
of Speaker
Simple Functions
Buttons on top of the dock may be inaccessible if wall mounted however a remote is provided for long ranges in rooms such as living rooms. The buttons are also very small
and so I will make my buttons more user-friendly and more convenient to use. I will use a more attractive material like chrome finish on steel or aluminium to make it more
visually attractive.
Moreover the time is shown digitally on the dock behind the cover of the iPod dock. This is a very appealing function and very convenient too. It has a built in radio too and
an alarm function so this adds many more positives to its functions. This is mainly why it is suitable in a bedroom.
Digital Time
This speaker has to be connected to the mains and therefore it may not be very portable
however it is excellent for being used as a home gadget in a living room or bedroom on the side
table. It is reasonably expensive and although it is attractive, it is very large. This is mostly
suitable for a bedroom and possibly a kitchen when wall-mounted. It does not suit a lounge or a
living room due its colour, size and shape. It has a soft clothe grille so it is more likely to get
damaged especially during user operation. The buttons are very inconvenient as they are small
and unreachable. The buttons are inaccessible when wall mounted.
Watch this video to see how the dock works…
Material & Manufacturing:
This product uses injection moulding for both the front
and the back panel. The plastic is made of ABS and has
a rough matt black look. The size is too large for a
homely environment and has a wall mount attached to
it. The dock slides out when the open button is pressed
and the side panel slides sideways. It has CD player on
the right of the dock which is visible when the front
panel slides the opposite direction.
This is my primary product analysis done at home and I have reviewed the product so I
can try to include the characteristics of it into my design.
6. BOSE Product Analysis
Product Name:
Bose SoundDock Series II
Price: £170
Dimensions:
Height: 17.15 cm
Width: 30.48 cm
Depth: 16.47 cm
Weight: 2.1 kg
Remote control:
Height: 10.8 cm
Width: 3.81 cm
Depth: 0.64 cm
Weight: 53.8 g
• Power supply
• Power cord 5 feet (1.52 m)
• Remote control (batteries
pre-installed)
Product Analysis (Secondary):
This is a simple but classic dock with advanced sound quality. Its size is suitable for any room and although it may
not be portable (connected to mains) it has many functions and aesthetic features. It is reasonably safe to use
however as it is connected to the mains it is not necessarily safe or convenient. For its price it is excellent and its
use of material is fabulous. Bose uses a steel grille to increase bass and uses plastic (ABS) for the outer casing
since it is quite cheap, aesthetic and durable.
It has a simple design since it has simple buttons no complex features like touchscreen controls or any other such
features. It is aesthetically pleasing even though it is very thick and it does not have a streamlined design.
This speaker has to be connected to the mains and therefore it is only portable around the home in a living room
or a bedroom. It is reasonably expensive and although it is attractive, it is bulky. This is mostly suitable for a
bedroom and suits a lounge or a living room due its colour, size and shape. It has a hard steel grille so it is very
durable. The buttons are very smooth, easy-to-use and simply attractive.
I have analysed this product to evaluate its features for a dock, a sound system and as a portable speaker. This
product is also a part of my chosen brand and therefore I chose this product being the most reasonable for price
and very popular.
It does not have many functions since you can only play through an audio cable or through the dock and offers no
wireless connectivity. Overall, it is only suitable for listening to when you are tired, for relaxation.
Features:
Auxiliary Input
Proprietary Acoustic Design
3.5 mm Audio Jack
iPhone 4 /4S dock
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Wide Surround
Aesthetic
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Suitable for all home environments
iPhone Dock
Headphone Jack
Appealing Mesh
Volume buttons
either side
Summary:
Since Bose products are mainly docks and sound systems, my product will be the same with the same design but with the style of Apple and few features which will be unique to the product. I
have taken ideas from all the brands, products and designs that I have studied, to make my product the best product I can give to my customers. The Bose SoundDock has a uniquely aesthetic
design with a simple dock. It has an amazing sound quality and may be portable around the house. The remote makes the dock accessible from a large distance.
7. Samsung Product Analysis
Product Name:
Samsung DA-E650
Price: £150
Dimensions:
Height: 163mm
Width: 631mm
Depth: 192mm
Weight: 3.2kg
Features:
Auxiliary Input
Unique Design
3.5 mm Audio Jack
Dual dock Android and Apple
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Wide Surround
Touch Buttons
Stylish Click-to-
Retract dock
Smooth Shape
HDMI, USB, 3.5mm
Audio Jack
Product Analysis (Secondary):
This Samsung Speaker has a streamlined design with many features. It has a fantastic sound quality and you
can charge and play music through both Apple or Android devices. It is great value for money. It has unique
features such as a retractable dual dock and touch buttons on the panel. Its shape of a horn is most
intriguing as it is very distinctive. It has a wide surround with a interesting ergonomic shape. The interface is
user friendly as the control panel consists of touch buttons. It has a USB port for streaming directly through
a USB memory stick, a SD card reader or through a tablet. The only problem is that it is very bulky for home
use especially in a living room or a bedroom and it is not portable since it requires continuous main power
supply.
Material & Design:
The material is made to look like metal however on close inspection, the material looks rather cheap since it
is made of plastic. It does have the stylish look but the design could be improved and this is what separates
Samsung from Apple. It has lots of connectivity including USB, HDMI and the 3.5mm audio jack.
Ergonomics & Aesthetics:
This product has a smooth finish on the metal and the burgundy colour makes it very unique. The speakers are
also very unique since the shiny centre makes it very attractive and different. The design although unique may
not suit some users since it is very large and bulky. Many would prefer a sleeker or a slimmer design with more
functions and a more aesthetically pleasing design. The back could also
8. Market Research
All of the people I asked used a smartphone and 3 of the adults used the TV for listening to music. All the teenagers used Wi-Fi or the newest
technology such as Bluetooth or Airplay rather than DAB, FM or radio waves while 4 of the adults preferred using FM or DAB.
The teenage boys preferred to play on their smartphones while listening to music but the teenage girls preferred to chat with their friends while
listening to music, mainly when they are at home or when they are usually outside shopping or travelling. All the adults in my survey just listened
to music for relaxation usually in the evenings when they were tired while all the children listened to music for entertainment.
The boys wanted a bold and vivid design with a dock of which 4 of them also wanted excellent sound quality and many multiple ways to connect
their phone to it. The girls wanted a slick and an appealing design with many different methods of connectivity including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and
they used their speakers mainly in parties at home or sleepovers. My grandparents didn’t mind whatever connectivity it had since they hardly
used all the features, whereas my parents and the teachers preferred having connectivity and a dock too(all of them had an Apple iPhone). Most
of them preferred the dock and the speaker system to the portable pocket speaker; they also wanted high connectivity which could be potentially
very difficult with a portable speaker.
Using this market research, I was able to determine the types of product I could design, what technologies it would use, who it would be aimed at,
the perfect cost for the product and the extra functions which it could have.
Questions:
About You?
Gender
Age
What types of device do you use for listening to music?
Which technology or radio broadcast do you use to listen to music?
Where do you listen to music and when?
What do you do while listening to music?
What do you want a music device to be like or have which characteristics?
How long do you spend listening to music per week?
How much would you spend on a Speaker/Radio/Dock?
Which type of product do you prefer to buy or use?
I asked 20 people the questions above. 6 male
teenagers (Age: 12-19), 6 female teenagers
(Age: 12-19), 8 adults (4 Male and 4 Female)
(Age: 24-70)
For my market research, I mainly asked friends
from my school, my sister, her friends, my
parents, my grandparents and a couple of my
teachers. This made sure that I had a varying
age range and mixed gender groups. From
this, I would be able to understand the perfect
product for my specific target group.
9. 0
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NumberofPeople
Time (hours) spent on listening to
Music per Week
(h)<1
1<= (h) < 2
2<= (h) < 3
3<= (h) < 4
4<= (h) < 5
(h)>5
From this market research, I get a clear idea for my radio design and my central target group is mainly for teenagers and young adults. My design will
be sleek, slim and visually appealing for teenagers. It will be bold and have a dock to attract both sexes and it will definitely have high connectivity
for use around the house in the bedroom, living room, lounge and perhaps the kitchen. It will connect to smartphones as these are very popular in
the younger generation. Since most of my target users listen to music for more than 5 hours a week, my product needs to be visually appealing,
enjoyable and customised for each individual user. To make it have high connectivity I will ensure that speakers can be added on into the speaker
system to enhance the sound quality and immerse the user into the 3D surround sound.
25%
20%
35%
20%
Ideal Price Range
£50-£150 £150-250 £250-£400 £400+
20%
35%
30%
15%
What Do You Look For In a Speaker/Radio/Dock?
Function/Connectivity Style/Design Sound Quality Brand
9 people
3 people
4 people
2 people
2 people
4 people
Types of Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Airplay
FM
DAB
20%
10%
30%
10%
25%
5%
Where Do You Use Your
Speaker/Radio/Dock Most?
Kitchen
Car
Bedroom
Workplace
Living
Room/Lounge
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Which type of product do you prefer to buy or
use?
Easily Portable Mini
Pocket Speaker
In-Home Portable
Speaker Dock With High
Connectivity
High-Tech Home Sound
System
Market Research
10. My name is Raj and I am 24 years old. I am currently
going to university for further studies and work part
time in my father’s business. I got my driving
license a year ago and I have a just bought a BMW. I
will be finishing my studies soon and joining the
technology sector since I am very creative.
I love the latest gadgets and I
buy the newest ones every
time. My favourite brands are
Apple, Beats and Bose. When
it comes to gaming I prefer
Sony to Microsoft but I like
both of them. I have a
Samsung laptop and although
I love Apple products, the
products of Samsung are very
fast and productive. I prefer
Apple’s design since it is more
attractive and they are very
popular among the youth.
I live in the UK, in London and
my family is reasonably
wealthy and we live in a large
luxurious apartment. I like to
think that I am very
fashionable and I am a
enthusiastic fan of gadgets. I
am very sporty and I play for
the basketball team in my
university. I love listening to
music while travelling or at
home when I come back from
university. It is very relaxing
and pacifyingly pleasant.
I have a social life and go to the
gym frequently. I also have a
girlfriend and I am relatively active
over social networks including
Facebook and Instagram.
11. Inspiration Customised Colours and
Simple Design
Customisation and
Aesthetically pleasing
Different Design and
Excellent Sound Quality
Stylish and Easy to Use
Unique Design
High Connectivity
Novelty Design Advanced Sound EngineeringMulti-functional Easy-to-use and attractive
Portable and High
Functionality
Excellent sound
quality at home
(cinema system)
Sophisticated and
trendy
Commercially
Professional Classy and smart
Unique grille and dock
12. Initial Ideas
User-Group: Teenagers and Young
Adults
• Dynamic and Futuristic design
• Loud and clear sound quality
• Could be Portable
• Dock
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Digital Clock Dial
• Visible Coloured Screen
• Durable
• Rechargeable as well as Mains
Powered
• Wi-Fi
• Remote Controlled as well as
Simple User Interface
• Easy to Use
• Bold and Vivid
• Portable
Initial Design Brief:
My final idea is to design a dock for the latest Apple devices with speakers. My speaker will be very slim and sleek than modern
docks. It will have a touchscreen GUI or a gesture remote for easy usage. The dock will be very ergonomic, vibrant and bold for it to
attract teenagers and adults (18- 40). It will be dynamic and have a futuristic design with loud, clear and sharp sound quality.
This is my user mindmap
which I used to come up
with a target audience to
help me design my
product. The mindmap
also helped me to
understand when and
where my users use their
speakers. It also gave me
an insight to what they
use their gadgets for and
how they use it to listen
to music.
13. Design Brief
What is the core idea?
My idea is to design a premium music and cinema system in one product for people who like to listen to music to relax and connect to their TV
when they want to watch a movie. They can interchange between the two while connecting to their smartphone for playing games, chatting to
their friends and while relaxing. It will be portable around the house so it can be shifted between rooms with ease.
What problem are you trying to solve?
Many speakers currently in the market are aesthetically pleasing but lack on function or vice versa. Docks have low connectivity and cinema
systems cannot multitask or easily be interconnected between different devices. However, my product will have a streamlined, aesthetic and an
ergonomic design with high connectivity and many functions for different tastes in my target user group. The look of my product will be
customised for each individual person appealing to more market users regardless of it price. This will create a premium brand with brand loyalty
and will make my product similar to that of Apple or Bose.
When and where will it be used?
It will be portably used in a house around the rooms when suited to the user. Most frequent places would include the bedroom, the living room
and the lounge.
Who are you solving it for?
My product will be aimed at teenagers and young adults who will be reasonably wealthy and live in a rather large house. They will be interested
with the latest technological trends and they will have a handheld Apple device such as an iPod or iPhone.
What functions does it aim to achieve?
It will have a dock and the latest connectivity methods including AirPlay, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It will connect to a range of smart devices such as a
smart TV or a smartphone. It will play songs, sound effects in a game or sound in general for use as a home cinema system.
Problems:
Too many wires
Portability around the house
Low Connectivity
Poor Sound Quality
Bulky and large
Customisation
Style
Innovation
Risk-Taking
Flair Premium
Functions
Sleek
14. Design Specification
Many speakers have very poor sound quality and very thick and bulky
but my aim is to design a product that has a good sound quality, slim and
sleek, and portable around the house.
My main USP is that it will be a home cinema system as well as a dock
and can interchange between the different options.
My speaker will enhance and improve every day experiences. My
objective is to create a speaker which has an above average cost as it
will be for the upper class but it will not be extremely expensive.
It will be compatible with iPods and iPhones and designed for both
genders in their teens and for young adults up to the age of 40. Extra
features can be Bluetooth, AirPlay or Wi-Fi connectivity.
It should be bold and have a slick design to allure people to buy the
radio and use it in their leisure time. It should be aesthetically pleasing
and ergonomic for it to be user friendly.
It should have a simple but unique user interface as this will appeal
and entice people to my product. It will be easy to use and have good
sound quality.
It is aimed at the higher class, and it is to be used by consumers who are looking for the best of
the best, and the best technology available.
I investigated this in my research and found that a majority will be willing to spend
a high amount of money for their ideal speak dock, and this is the intention of my
design.
Solutions:
Induction Charging
Compact, Streamlined
High Connectivity – Dock, Wi-Fi, etc.
Surround Sound
Good Quality Sound
Curved, Slim and Sleek
Ergonomics and Aesthetics
It should be appropriate to my user group and it should be aesthetically designed with a streamlined, easy-to-use
features. It will need to be ergonomic for simplicity and style. Since my design will only be portable around, it does
not need to have a huge battery life although this can be useful when required by the user.
• In-home portable – wireless
• Quality sound
• Reasonable price
• Simplicity with class
• Ergonomics – easy to hold and place
• User centred technology
• Durable
• Connect more speakers to the system wirelessly
• Simple set up – ready to use
• Style along with performance
• High Connectivity
My design is based on the brand of Bose and Apple and I intend to
create a speaker dock which has the qualities of these brands with many
functions to attract lots of users.
User --- Teenagers and Young Adults
Environment --- Portability around the House
Manufacture --- Mass Production --- Injection Moulding and Metal Pressing
Material --- Durable Material (Metal, Strong Plastic)
Safety --- Portable, Rechargeable Battery and Mains Charging
Function --- iPhone Dock, Touch Sensitive Controls, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay
Style/Aesthetics --- Sleek, Streamlined, Modern Dynamic Design
Maintenance --- Portable, Very low maintenance
Size --- Size of a Home Dock
Weight --- Relatively Low
Cost --- Premium
15. Design Study
Product Name:
BOSE SoundDock XT
Price: £150
Dimensions:
Height: 13.18cm
Width: 30cm
Depth: 8.57cm
Weight: 1.18kg
I have done a design study to give me an insight into the products of my companies and I have only
done a brand study on this Bose dock since it is different and unique. An Apple brand design study
was not needed since I had already done a primary analysis of the Apple iPod and since mostly all
products have the same design.
The Bose SoundDock XT has a very aesthetically pleasing design. Its outburst of yellow brightens any
environment and its front speaker design is made so that it provides the best sound quality. The front
panel and the grille looks modern and futuristic and this could be its unique selling point as no other
company styles their speakers in this manner. This speaker dock is directed to mostly young people as
it has a bright colour with a simple but modern look. The volume buttons on either side of the dock
are easy to operate and are touch controls. For long range the speaker has its own remote too. This is
not portable as it requires a mains supply however it is very suitable for home use.
My product will be similar since it will include the contrast between two colours which will be
customised according to the use. My main materials are going to be similar to those used in the
product analyses and the design study since this will make my product durable, strong and very
attractive. My speaker will have a dock too as this will appeal to many teenagers, as smartphones are
very popular amongst them.
Features:
3.5 mm Auxiliary Input
iPhone 5/5S dock
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Function
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Stylish Design
Modern and
Dynamic Grille
Easy to use
Touch Buttons
Bold and Vivid
Outer Case
Vibrant Colour
Material & Manufacturing:
This product uses injection moulding for both the front and the back panel.
The plastic is made of ABS or acrylic. The size is reasonable for a homely
environment and the colours are bright and lively. The design is unique. The
rubber cushion for the dock is somehow out of place however amidst the
holes it looks nice.
Tough and
Durable
17. Initial Designs
Control Panel
Speaker with mesh
Phone Dock
For home use, in the living room or
bedroom.
Touch Sensitive Buttons
Inner Wood Finish
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The wood will be made of oak or beech although this
might make it heavy but durable. The wood will be
suitable for the older adults and probably wouldn’t be
bought by teenagers. I could customise into different
materials and colours such as chrome or aluminium.
This speaker design is very unique since it is round and
stands up straight. The main speakers will be on the top
covered with a cloth mesh since any other mesh would
be unsuitable. Considering durability, I would not usually
recommend the cloth mesh however since nothing else
is suitable, this would be the best option.
User Feedback:
‘I like the wood finish, but don’t like the outer
mesh’
‘Prefer having the dock in front of the speaker
because it would be easier to use’
Wood Panel Front
Aesthetic Design
Light-up Touch buttons with haptic feedback
Ergonomic Feel and Easy to Hold
Black Anodized Aluminium
Portable, suitable for travel, workplace,
homes and schools
Smooth Aluminium Chamfer
Hexagonal holes in a hexagonal fill
User Feedback:
‘Looks simple and portable but it might
be too simple’
‘Looks nice but does not have that many
functions apart from USB connection’
‘Love the shape and very ergonomic’
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Blue Anodized Aluminium Body
Black Shiny Aluminium Body
Light Up Control Panel with Haptic Feedback
Concentric Circle Mesh
User Feedback
‘An aesthetically pleasing design’
‘Smooth curve, looks nice but the grilles
might be too small’
‘It has very less connectivity since it can only
be connected by Bluetooth and USB’
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Silver Chrome Side Grille
The main body will be made of aluminium anodized or shiny
depending on customisation. The colour can be varied too and the
sides will either be made of plastic ABS or Aluminium or Chrome.
This design is unique since it is a different shape to traditional
classic speakers and the mesh s more aesthetically pleasing due to
the concentric circle grill. The holes are reasonably medium-sized
to ensure that the style is visible although not obtrusive.
18. Initial Designs
Blue Anodized Aluminium Edges
Smooth ABS Plastic
Holes for the Grille
Spiral of Holes in Front View
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Final design will be improved to cater for the perfect size and aesthetics for users
The size of this initial CAD is bulkier and shorter compared to my final design. Taking feedback from my users helped me to improve my product during development as
well as after. I received a lot of positive comments as well as suggestions for improvements on this product and therefore I decided to make it one of my final products.
One of my final product is a slimmer longer version of this since few of my market users stated that it was too short and stubby to look aesthetically pleasing. I will
extend this idea by choosing the type of technologies used in this product, the manufacturing processes and the final specifications. I will change this product
according to my user feedback and make it better by customising it for my user group.
User Feedback
‘Too small and stubby… Maybe a longer stretched
version might look nicer!’
‘Really like the grille, since it is different to common
speakers sold in the market. This could be very
profitable for the company selling it…’
‘Wireless connectivity means less wires and more
functions, amazing for home.’
3 speakers direct
sound in 3 different
direction. One on
the top and then 2
on either side
within each spiral.
This speaker will be one my
main final products since I
have received many comments
and many say that this design
is very unique and innovative.
19. Initial Designs
This product fulfils my product design specifications because it solves all the stated user problems. It has a streamlined design
and it is slim and sleek. It is very simplistic because it does not have that many controls and yet has very good sound quality. It
will be controlled by a separate remote.
Touch Sensitive Controls
iPhone dock
Spiral Grille
Electrostatic Speakers
Thin Aluminium Back Frame
User Feedback
‘Like the curved design,
aesthetically pleasing’
‘Easy to use touch buttons
are simple and clever’
‘Like the shape and size, looks
simple but stylish like Apple’
0
2
4
6
8
10
Cost
Consumer
Size
Aesthetics
Material
Function
Safety
Environment
Card & Polystyrene Model
3D Printed Model
Curved design helps to immerse
my user into the song being played
or the sounds from a film or a
game like a curved TV. It projects
the sound in all directions to make
it sound 3 dimensional.
My original idea was to have a
touchscreen in place of the dock
however this would reduce
connectivity and would not be very
ergonomic or aesthetic for my users.
21. Materials
Type Properties and Price Advantages and Disadvantages
Ash Open-grained (large visible pores), tough and flexible.
£1.89 /square ft.
Toughness is an obvious necessity, however large pores and
flexibility are surplus.
Beech Close-grained, hard, tough, strong and warps easily.
£1.79/square ft.
Close-grained and strength are good qualities however it has very
dense and difficult to work.
Oak Strong, hard, tough however it is very heavy, expensive and splits
easily.
£2.51/square ft.
Good properties but unsuitable for its weight. However it was the
most popular choice of wood from my target audience and my
audience wanted to have a quality premium product.
Birch Plywood Strong, stiff and resistant. It has a high planar shear strength and
impact resistance however it can be brittle.
£1.62/square ft.
Good features, yet my target users see plywood as cheap and not
very stylish.
Steel (stainless) Hard and tough, resistant to wear and corrosion.
£4,450/tonne.
Has all the characteristics however it is rather heavy and has a very
rough and low class texture.
Aluminium Good strength-to-weight ratio, light, soft, ductile and durable.
£1,700/tonne
Outstanding price-to-practicality ratio. Electronic gadgets industries
use this in their products including Apple, Bose and B&O. It also has
an aesthetic look when anodized.
Titanium Light weight yet extremely strong, extraordinary corrosion resistance,
ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
£15,700/tonne
Perfect characteristics, however too expensive to produce on an
industrial scale.
ABS-Plus Strong, durable and reasonably light. Easy to manufacture and safe
for use in electronics.
£1,500/tonne
Very practical yet very aesthetically pleasing. A gloss finish would
be very suitable for the finished product. It is very cheap too.
Sapphire Glass Hard, tough and very strong. 3rd strongest material after diamond
and moissanite but more expensive than necessary. However it looks
stylish for the upper class.
£18/square metre
It is 9 on Mohs hardness scale and more scratch-resistant than
gorilla glass.
It is more expensive and 1.5 times heavier than Gorilla glass.
Gorilla Glass Very tough and durable. Fairly cheap for mass production.
£8/square metre
It is 6.8 on Mohs hardness scale and has a 49% market share of the
display glass market.
The choice of material will mostly be based upon style and attractive aesthetics. However, there are important factors to each material that must be
considered. For each material I had to consider the effects on the cost, durability, colour schemes, weight and other manufacturing details. The main
criteria to choose from are wood, plastic, and metal. I will be evaluating and comparing the most common materials within these criteria to find a
perfect material. I have also compared two main types of glass since I will be planning to use this in my remote.
22. Developed Product
I have decided to design a radio system, consisting of 3 parts to fit my specifications perfectly, and therefore 3 unique selling
points.
The SoundCurve
A completely unique dock design with excellent speaker quality. This is taken from my brand studies and from my market research.
It has a touch sensitive control screen which will send a haptic feedback when touched.
iPhone lightning dock
It has to have a power cable but it will have a built-in long-life rechargeable battery for portability.
This dock can be connected to the mains for charging the rechargeable battery or for continuous general use.
It is controlled using the wrist remote and can play songs via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Air-Play.
It uses an electrostatic speaker for excellent sound quality and for sleekness.
At the bottom of the page, I listed my specifications to check that all my original problems
had been solved. The price should be as reasonable as possible, however the technology
included will cost a lot. The SoundCurve uses thin electrostatic speakers for good sound
quality. These are meant for studios and not for commercial use however by including it in
my product, I have taken a risk since it provides the best sound quality possible but makes it
a premium product at the same time. My speaker also has many ways of connectivity
including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Air-Play. This will increase its compatibility while ensuring that
it is a premium product in the design of Apple and Bose.
• In-home portable – wireless
• Quality sound
• Reasonable Manufacturing price
• Simplicity with class
• Ergonomics – easy to hold and place
• User centred technology
• Durable
• Able to connect more speakers to the system wirelessly
• Simple set up – Easy to use
• Style along with performance
• High Connectivity
23. I have decided to design a radio system, consisting of 3 parts to fit my specifications perfectly, and therefore 3 unique selling
points.
The AirTwist
This is a speaker that will be a part of the speaker system with a modern and unique design, creating a better sound quality.
It is controlled using the wrist remote.
It will have a rechargeable battery like the Sound Curve and it can be charged via the mains when required (portability around the house).
The dock will connect to this speaker using Bluetooth when required. This can be determined by the user, using the remote.
If this speaker is not needed for playing music via the SoundCurve then the Bluetooth can be disconnected using the remote.
The AirTwist can connect to apple devices via AirPlay separately from the SoundCurve.
This speaker uses a normal electromagnetic speaker as this speaker does not need to be thin or flexible.
This could be classified as a separate product but my aim is to create a speaker system which can connect to a phone like a dock or a TV via
HDMI, RCA or some wireless connectivity method to create a home cinema system as well as having a home music system.
• In-home portable – wireless
• Quality sound
• Reasonable Manufacturing price
• Simplicity with class
• Ergonomics – easy to hold and place
• User centred technology
• Durable
• Able to connect more speakers to the system wirelessly
• Simple set up – Easy to use
• Style along with performance
• High Connectivity
At the bottom of the page, I listed my specifications to check that all my original
problems had been solved. The AirTwist achieves all my specifications since it has
many ways of connectivity including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Air-Play, good sound quality,
ergonomics and aesthetics and it has a reasonable manufacturing cost. Therefore, I
could make a bigger profit if I were to sell it at a premium like the products of Apple
and Bose. Due to its simplicity, it can be mass produced along with customisation for
each individual user. This is very advantageous for my design since more people are
likely to be attracted to it due to the variety, aesthetics and ergonomics. I believe that
the twisted shape is very ergonomic since it is very easy to hold. The ridges created by
the twist are very smooth and easy to handle, therefore making my product very
ergonomic. Although it is not essential for my product to be ergonomic, I have
decided to use this shape, not just for aesthetics, but also for its uniqueness and for
comfortable portability around the house.
Developed Product
24. I have decided to design a radio system, consisting of 3 parts to fit my specifications perfectly, and therefore 3 unique selling
points.
The Remote
The wristband remote is used to control operations from further distance with ease.
It has a touch screen too for communicating with the dock and the separate speakers.
Uses gesture recognition for changing the song or increasing the volume.
Uses Bluetooth for low consumption of battery.
The remote is docked on a its own induction dock.
The remote itself has a rechargeable battery which does not need to be replaced.
The induction remote dock is connected to the SoundCurve speaker using USB connection so that it can charge the remote. This will be
called ‘The Crescent Dock’.
The style of the remote dock is the same as the remote, the SoundCurve dock and the AirTwist speaker to suit the speaker system.
Conclusion
This product will be equivalent to portable soundbars or speakers which will all play the same music to create an effect of 3D surround sound. The music or audio will be
chosen by the SoundCurve however when necessary, the AirTwist can connect to any Smart TV to create a cinema system for watching films. The SoundCurve and the
AirTwist can run independently however the AirTwist can only connect to a Smart Device with Bluetooth or AirPlay. The SoundCurve is capable of doing both of these
things as well as being able to use it as a dock to charge your Apple device. The SoundCurve Remote will be like a smartwatch and will control the dock’s and the
AirTwist’s capability to interact with other devices such as the TV or smartphones. The remote will charge on the crescent-shaped induction dock using a USB connection.
USB Induction Dock for charging the Remote (The Crescent) Touch Screen Remote
Developed Product
25. Final Decision
Bluetooth to connect remote to
both of the speakers.
Air-Play to connect phone to AirTwist and
to SoundCurve separately without
attaching it to the dock to play music.
Wi-Fi to simultaneously play music or sound
through both the SoundCurve and the AirTwist.
This can be used as a home cinema system for
the TV.
USB Supply from Sound Curve or another
device for powering the induction charging
dock for the remote.
26. Ergonomics & Anthropometrics
I have decided on using the wrist remote idea from the inspiration of the Apple watch.
My users will have a large variety of wrist sizes, and comfort is a necessity. All of the information is secondary research, however I did some research of my own to
confirm these sizes, giving me an idea of the average sizes to look out for any anomalies. They are all based on the individuals from my market research between the
ages of 12 – 70.
Height and average wrist size (measured all the way around):
5’ Tall - 5.51 inches
5’2” Tall - 5.84 inches
5’4” Tall - 6.07 inches
5’6” Tall - 6.63 inches
5'8" Tall - 7 inches
5'10" Tall - 7.1 inches
6' Tall - 7.27 inches
6'2" Tall - 7.45 inches
6'4" Tall - 7.62 inches
My remote will be extendable like the headbands of headphones which will retract to the required size. Using the data below, I will need
a retractable strap which can extend up to 1.5 inches starting from 4.5 inches. I will then have small, medium and large sizes customised
according to each user.
S(4.5-6 inches), M(6-7.5 inches), L(7.5-9 inches)
Male Teenagers to Adults average watch/bracelet size (Max Range):
5-1/2” – 8”
Female Teenagers to Adults average watch/bracelet size (Max Range):
5” – 7-1/2”
The size of my SoundCurve is based upon the size of a cubit which is the length from the tip of the middle
finger to the end of the elbow. This is usually between 40 to 55 cm for a teenager to an adult. I have used
this measurement so that the dock can be held from the two edges in a single arm around the curved
shape for comfort. This will make it portable around the house and since it will be relatively light-weight,
the speaker would be very easy to hold.
The size of my AirTwist is based on the size of a fist or the width of a palm. I had decided the size
according to these measurements since when the AirTwist is held, it will need to be at a medium size. I
decided to make my speaker at a height of 32 cm for this reason. This will make sure it fits the hand
comfortably. The width will be 8 cm since the ‘L’ shape formed on a hand is about 8cm by 8cm.
8cm x
8cm
15cm
This data is from my market users, most of them are a part of
my target user group, who will give me feedback on the
product and help me evaluate it. I have made separate gender
types just to analyse the differences, however my final remote
will be the same for both genders. The size will have to be
categorised for each user and the colours can be customised.
27. Technologies
AirPlay
This is a protocol suite developed by Apple which allows
wireless streaming of audio, video, and photos using similar
metadata between devices.
Stream multimedia content between devices in HD
Communication between compatible devices
Use a device to control other devices for uses such as
gaming
x Low compatibility with non-Apple devices
x High Power Consumption
x Only one app can be used at any time
x Requires Wi-Fi
x High price of compatible products
Bluetooth
This is a method which uses a standard protocol to transfer
data or commands to and from electronic devices wirelessly.
Simple and Easy to Use
High compatibility
Cheap
Wireless
x High Power Consumption
Wi-Fi
This is a facility allowing computers,
smartphones, or other devices to
communicate with one another wirelessly
within a particular area via the internet.
High Compatibility
Wireless
Simple to use
Available in most areas
Data transmission is fast
x High Power Consumption
Flexible Piezoelectric Speaker
This is made using a thin membrane of
piezoelectric material on top of an
insulator such as silicon and then a thin
membrane of strong magnet such as
Neodymium.
Extremely thin 4mm – 15mm
Uses very little energy
Flexible
Cheap £5 – 20
x Not Excellent Sound Quality
Thin Electrostatic Speaker
The speakers use a thin
flat diaphragm usually consisting of a
plastic sheet coated with
a conductive material such as graphite
sandwiched between two electrically
conductive grids, with a small air gap
between the diaphragm and grids.
Thin 10mm – 50mm
Uses less energy than
electromagnetic speakers
Excellent Sound Quality
x Very expensive £100s - £1000s
x Not Flexible
Infrared Communication (IR)
This is a method of transferring data wirelessly using
infrared waves over compatible electronic devices.
Cheap
Wireless
Low Power Consumption
x Low connectivity (requires close communication)
x Low compatibility with many smart devices
Features
Hardware
Connectivity
Manufacture
Summary:
My SoundCurve will use the electrostatic speaker since it is very thin and needs to have excellent sound
quality. Electrostatic speaker are used mostly in studios for their excellent quality however my premium
product will tempt my target users to buy the entire system not just the SoundCurve. This will be done by
increasing connectivity and compatibility between all smart devices. This speaker system will use Wi-Fi and
AirPlay for streaming and Bluetooth for communicating with the speakers and sending commands.
28. Technologies
Gesture Recognition
Gesture recognition is the mathematical interpretation of a human motion by
a computing device. Gesture recognition, along with facial recognition,
voice recognition, eye tracking and lip movement recognition are
components of what developers refer to as a perceptual user interface (PUI).
Natural Interaction
Direct Interaction
Terse and Powerful Interaction
x Expensive
x Uses a lot of energy
x Fatigue
x Unexpected/Unwanted commands
x Gestures can be misread
Induction Charging
Inductive charging (also known as "wireless charging") uses an electromagnetic field to
transfer electricity between two objects. This is usually done with a charging station.
Energy is sent through an inductive coupling (copper coil) to an electrical device, which
can then use that energy to charge batteries or run the device.
Wireless Charging
Simple and easy-to-use
Does not require any setup
x Extra heating
x Low performance of battery
x Expensive
x Short distances
x Still needs a wire for the charging pad or dock*
Advanced Aluminium Processing
Anodization and Metal Pressing
Anodization is a process for making a physical
object from a three-dimensional digital model,
typically by laying down many successive thin
layers of a material
Durability
Finishing
Corrosion Resistant
Lasting Colour
Strength
Easy to Maintain
Colour Flexibility
Cheap
Mass Production
x Uses a lot of energy
Features
Hardware
Connectivity
Manufacture
Injection Moulding
Injection moulding is the shaping of rubber or plastic
pellets or grains by heating it and then injecting it into a
mould.
Fast Production
Colour and Material Flexibility
Low waste
Design Flexibility
Low Cost of Labour (Little labour required)
Full automation
Very little post production work required
More than one material may be used at the same
time when utilizing co-Injection moulding
x High Initial Tooling Cost
x Design Restrictions
3D Printing
3D printing is a process for making a physical object
from a three-dimensional digital model, typically by
laying down many successive thin layers of a material.
Cheap to manufacture
Colour Flexibility
Low waste
Full automation
Very little post production work required
x Design Restrictions
x Limited Materials
x Size restrictions
x Not for mass production
x Expensive for buying 3D printer
29. Technologies
LCD Screen and Retina Display
LCD means Liquid Crystal Display. LCD is made up of an array of liquid crystals
that get illuminated by a back light. Because LCDs don't require much energy
to power a screen, the technology is very popular in portable devices.
Likewise, because LCDs are back lit, they tend to perform quite well in direct
sunlight, as the entire display is being illuminated, so they are ideal for
smartphones. However, this back lighting means that blacks tend to appear
grey and they therefore have less contrast than some other display
technologies.
There are two main types of LCD: TFT and IPS.
TFT stands for Thin Film Transistor and they are an advanced version of LCD
that uses an active matrix (like the AM in AMOLED). Active matrix means that
each pixel is attached to a transistor and capacitor individually. Their main
advantage is their relatively low production cost and increased contrast when
compared to traditional LCDs. Their disadvantage is more excessive energy
consumption than some other LCDs, and less impressive viewing angles and
colour reproduction.
IPS stands for In-Plane Switching and it is an improvement of TFT LCDs. To
summarize very roughly, the way the crystals are electrically excited is
different and the orientation of the crystals array is rotated. This change
improves viewing angles, contrast ratio and colour reproduction. Energy
consumption is also reduced compared to TFT LCDs. Because IPS LCDs tend to
be better than TFT LCDs, they are also more expensive when put on a
smartphone.
Retina Display is basically an IPS LCD given a brand name by Apple and they
are not defined by any particular characteristic, other than that they are
supposedly of sufficient resolution that the human eye can't discern pixels at a
normal viewing distance.
Super AMOLED, AMOLED and OLED Screen
AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. We already
encountered the active matrix in TFT LCD technology, and OLED is simply a term for
another thin-film display technology: OLED is an organic material that emits light
when a current is passed through them.
As opposed to LCD panels which are back lit, OLED displays are ''always off'' unless
the individual pixels are electrified. This means that OLED displays have much purer
blacks and consume less energy when black or darker colours are displayed on
screen. Because the black pixels are off, the contrast ratios are also higher than LCD
screens. AMOLED displays have a very fast refresh rate too, but on the down side are
not as visible in direct sunlight as back lit LCDs. Screen burn-in and diode degradation
(because they are organic) are other factors to consider.
Super AMOLED is the brand name given by Samsung to its range of displays that, like
IPS LCDs, improve upon the basic AMOLED recipe. In other words, Super AMOLED =
Samsung OLED. Super AMOLED, Super AMOLED Plus, and HD Super AMOLED only
really have one major difference: sub pixels. Super AMOLED displays reduce the
thickness of the screen by integrating the touch response layer with the display itself.
It also handles sunlight better than AMOLED displays and are also better on power
consumption. Super AMOLED is simply a better version of AMOLED.
Features
Hardware
Connectivity
Manufacture
From this studies on
different screens, I have
decide to use Super
AMOLED screen as it has
a better screen quality
and although it is not by
Apple, it will be suitable
for my product. OLEDs
last longer and have a
higher contrast ratios
and therefore look nicer.
30. SoundCurve Design
Overview
Lightning 8-Pin
Schematic
Main Shape for Front and Back Casing
Back Casing Panel
Front Grille Panel
2cm
5mm Chamfer
7cm (length)
Inverse Extrusions of the following
sketches (in green) to create cut-outs
Positive Extrusions of the following sketches (in
green) to form basic body (This applies to both the
front and the back panel)
Chamfers on Edges20 mm Extrusion of semi-circle with diameter 7cm
Width of Curve is 2cm but on the back it is 5.5cm
4 CAD parts to the SoundCurve: Lightning Pin,
Dock, Back Casing, Front Grille Panel
Front Panel:
I added the spiral patterned holes on one side and mirrored it through the middle
plane. Then I inversely extruded a larger curve on the middle plane leaving 5mm
on the top and the bottom where the two panels would join. On the sides, I had
left an uncut gap of 2cm on either side which would later be used to fix the 4 main
screws during manufacturing.
Main Panels:
First I created a solid curve
with a large curved box at the
back .This was the basic shape
for both of the panels.
Back Panel:
I inversely extruded a semi-
circle to create the back casing
which would slot perfectly
into the front panel. I then
extruded inwards the solid
back block to make an empty
shell which would hold most
of the circuitry and the
battery.
This is one of my final rendered products in Keyshot 5.
Wood was one of my market users’ favourite material
and therefore I decided to use it in my product however
my main material was anodized aluminium. This was
because aluminium, when anodized, is corrosion
resistant and yet aesthetically pleasing. It is also one of
Bose’s and Apple’s main materials.
31. AirTwist
Design Overview
8cm (w) x 8cm(l) x 30cm (h)
I created a cuboid then negatively extruded
it inwards to create a hole leaving a rim of
5mm.
Using the twist warp tool, I twisted the
cuboid 90 degrees clockwise and then added
the spiral patterned holes.
Next I added the holes in the shape of a
rectangle on the side of the top and the
bottom edges to project the sound.
After that I added the chamfers on the two
sides of the speaker to make the main body
aesthetically pleasing.
Adding 3mm chamfers on the
edges
Inversely Extruding
Twisting Extruded
Cuboid
8cm (w) x 8cm(l)
0.5cm(h) Extrude
5mm Chamfer on edges
Sketch on Back of
Chamfered Cuboid
40mm Extrude of sketch
I created a cuboid of 5mm thickness and
added 5mm chamfers to the edges.
I created a new sketch which I extruded
(40mm) so that it could fit into the
hollowed twist body. I also chamfered the
edges corresponding to the hollowed
twist’s chamfers.
Next I added the spiral holes on top using
patterning and then rendered it.
I then rendered the chamfered edges into a different colour to the
main body making it look stylish. Many of Apple’s or Bose’s products
are customised according to the user and don’t use more than two or
three main colours on a single product.
After rendering both of those parts, I
assembled both of them in PTC Creo
to form the AirTwist speaker.
To form my final product, I imported
it into Keyshot 5 to render it into a
final finished design, which would
equal the quality of a product
designed by Apple or Bose as shown
in my brand study.
32. Remote
Design Overview
Inducer and circuitryUSB Wire for Charging
Rounds and Chamfers
Coil inside for inducing
current (charging)
Sketch for remote screen
and controls
Sketch of retractable wrist
strap (extruded into 3D)
Below is my induction dock and it is also made up of two sketches
extruded to form the final design. I then, chamfered and curved the edges
to make it more aesthetically pleasing and the shape gave it the name of
the Crescent.
Overall, my designs were really easy to make showing the simplicity and
beauty all combined in a single sound system. My product will be very
easy to manufacture and from my user feedback, many people really like
the idea.
I created two sketches: one for the screen, the other
for the strap. I then extruded them equally to make
my final remote. I simply rendered it in different
materials and colours to suit my design.
Sketchofmainshape
This is probably the most
ergonomic product in my entire
design due to the shape. It will
be easy to use and attractive
and yet very simple to design
and manufacture.
33. SoundCurve Manufacture
SoundCurve
The back case will be made of anodized aluminium using advanced aluminium processing.
1. The aluminium sheets will be coloured into the required colours and anodized.
2. Then the aluminium will be pressed using metal processing to make the back case and the 4 holes will
be pressed into the sides.
3. The remaining 4 holes on the top and bottom of the case will be drilled into screw holes.
The front case will be made of ABS plastic and it will be injection moulded since this process is quick, cheap
and easy.
The plastic ABS case will slot in to the holes on the side of the aluminium back case.
The two holes on the top and the bottom of the back case will be used for small screws which will hold the
dock together firmly.
The screw will be a pentalobe screw since it looks unique like in the design of Apple and it is also harder to
open. This will reduce the likelihood of copyright infringement of the technology used in this product.
Pentalobe
Screw
Metal Pressing
34. AirTwist Manufacture
AirTwist
The main casing will made of ABS plastic and it will be injection moulded in two parts each identical to the
other.
The top and bottom will also be injection moulded using ABS and then using anodized aluminium, the edges
will be pressed out and clipped on top of the plastic using small protrusions on the edge of the clipped metal.
Blow moulding
Melted plastic polymer
Injection
of plastic
ABS
Mould for
creating plastic
parts
The top and bottom parts fit perfectly into the
inversely extruded twisted box and they slot into
the small ledge overhanging the inside of the
main part by 5mm. This will allow the plastic to
slot into it perfectly.The metal chamfers on the edges of
the speaker will be made using metal
stamping or metal pressing.
Injection moulding Metal Stamping
Easy to manufacture and assemble
Quick and easy
process
My product can be quickly
mass produced due to the
quick manufacturing
processes involved in
making this product.
35. Remote Manufacture
Remote
The remote will use a super AMOLED screen to create a sharp high resolution display and
it will be layered with sapphire glass for high resistance to shattering and scratches.
It will be made of anodized aluminium, ABS plastic or wood according to the design of the
two speakers and according to the customisation of the user.
Each side of the strap
retracts into the other like
the adjustable straps of
headphones.
Hinges for opening
clasp while wearing it
The hinges do not retract all
the way although for
demonstration purposes,
this diagram shows a fully
open hinge.
Hinges open up only just so that
retractable band can open up to
loosen the strap.
Push clasps (like those on a
watch) on the edge of the strap
lock the strap in place according
to the users wrist size. This
prevents it from loosening during
use.
This induction dock will be made of anodized aluminium, wood or plastic
ABS, in the same style as the speakers to create a uniform design with an
aesthetic look.
It will use induction charging so that it will be easy to use, less fussy with
the wires and still very stylish. Induction charging is a relatively old
technology which hasn’t been put into use however my product will
encourage more to come in the market for commercial use. Since my main
brand study is Apple, using an unused technology is usually what the
company does to grow their market base. My product will be a great
addition to the collection and will help the company to acquire new users.
The Crescent (Induction Dock)
36. User Interface
There will be a preinstalled app with a music player on the remote to control
both the SoundCurve and the AirTwist. Users can configure and set custom
gestures to control the speakers. Commands from the touch screen controls
will be sent by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or AirPlay depending on convenience,
compatibility and availability.
Users can also download other music apps such as Spotify, iTunes, Shazam,
SoundCloud, YouTube, VEVO, Saavn, Deezer and BlinkBox (WE7) from the
Apple app store.
This app can also be installed
separately on an iDevice such as
an iPhone, an iPod or an iPad to
control the speakers however this
may not be needed by many of
the users since it is a secondary
feature of the product package
and a remote will be provided
with the SoundCurve and the
AirTwist even if they are
purchased separately.
The app will be provided on the
App Store free of charge so that
users can have a backup remote if
they lose their original remote or
if they need a remote while
travelling somewhere.
Duration of the song in a
circular pattern
Cover of the Song
Time left of song
Volume of music
Controls (Play/Pause)
Change Song (tap)
Rewind/Fast Forward (press & hold)
Initial Mock-up
Change Colour
Theme/Wallpaper
Final Remote Player
Volume of music
Loop, Shuffle, Like Buttons
Controls (Play/Pause)
Change Song (tap)
Rewind/Fast Forward (press &
hold)
Change Colour
Theme/Wallpaper
Cover of the Song
Duration of the song in a
linear pattern
This final music player
can be customised
according to the user
and custom themes can
be set. The volume bar
and the buttons can be
rearranged according to
the users’ comfort.
37. Evaluation
The main thing that I changed from my user feedback, final decision and specifications was the size
of my products.
The AirTwist was really short and although portable, it did not look as aesthetic as the slightly longer
revised version. The SoundCurve was also slightly too thick and therefore I decided to make it
thinner to make it easier to hold and more aesthetic. To make the SoundCurve more practical, I also
had to make an extended case where the circuitry and the battery would go. I also changed the
control panel from a touchscreen to a simple 3 button operations (+, On/Off, -).
My SoundCurve and my AirTwist will both use the lithium-ion battery since these are very energy
dense and have a good battery life. It will be very easy to charge and it will make it portable around
the house as I had stated in my design specification.
My user group decided that changing the song could be done more easily from a remote and
therefore, I came up with a wrist remote which would stay with my user all the time rather than a
handheld remote which could be lost very easily. Now the remote had to have some sort of power
source which would make it last for a long enough time. I did not want button cells, AA or AAA
batteries since these are very annoying to replace. Using a lithium-polymer battery with an induction
charger was a great idea since these are efficient, long-lasting and reasonably thin although they do
not have a high energy density.
I received a lot of compliments as well as suggestion for improvements however overall, my target
user group appreciated the idea. The idea of the SoundCurve came from an existing product, the
curved TV. I derived my idea from this type of product since there are many types of displays with
many features available but not many for audio. There is a huge variety of shapes for screens and it
has developed rapidly however audio hasn’t changed much in the last two decades. I therefore came
up with the SoundCurve which would immerse my users in the sound and make it more lively. My
idea would become unique and since my brand study were Apple and Bose, my product of sound
innovation would fit into the market perfectly.
38. Final Specifications
SoundCurve
User --- Teenagers and Young Adults
Environment --- Living Room, Bedroom, Home Cinema System
Manufacture --- Mass Production --- Injection Moulding and Metal Pressing
Material --- Anodized Aluminium(Varied Colour) Back Case, White ABS or Wood front
Safety --- Portable, Rechargeable Battery and Mains Charging
Function --- iPhone Dock, Touch Sensitive Controls, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay
Style/Aesthetics --- Sleek, Streamlined, Modern Dynamic Design
Speakers --- Thin Electrostatic Speakers X 2
Maintenance --- Portable, Very low maintenance
Size --- 18cm(h) x 45cm(l) x 2cm(w) *(Width on battery is 5.5cm)
Weight --- 1.3kg
Battery Size --- 10,000 mah Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life --- 18 Hours
Cost to Manufacture --- £500
AirTwist
User --- Teenagers and Young Adults
Environment --- Living Room, Bedroom, Home Cinema System
Manufacture --- Mass Production --- Injection Moulding and Metal Pressing
Material --- Anodized Aluminium(Varied Colour) edges, White ABS or Wood casing
Safety --- Portable, Rechargeable Battery and Mains Charging
Function --- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay
Style/Aesthetics --- Modern Dynamic Design, Suits the SoundCurve
Speakers --- Electromagnetics Speakers (Normal Type) X 3
Maintenance --- Portable, Very low maintenance
Size --- 30cm(h) x 8cm(l) x 8cm(w)
Weight --- 0.6kg
Battery Size --- 6,000 mah Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery
Battery Life --- 12 Hours
Cost to Manufacture --- £90
39. Final SpecificationsRemote
User --- Teenagers and Young Adults
Environment --- Living Room, Bedroom, Home Cinema System
Manufacture --- Mass Production --- Injection Moulding and Metal Pressing
Material --- Anodized Aluminium(Varied Colour) Outer Casing, White/Black/Brown ABS or Wood Inner Case
Safety --- Portable, Rechargeable Battery and Induction Charging
Function --- Touch Controls, Bluetooth (mainly), Wi-Fi, Air-Play, Gesture Recognition
Style/Aesthetics --- Sleek, Modern Dynamic Design, Simple, Easy to Use, Matching Speaker Design
Controls --- Preinstalled app with music player, Hand Gesture Recognition
Maintenance --- Portable, Very low maintenance
Size --- Retractable wrist strap with S(4.5-6 inches), M(6-7.5 inches), L(7.5-9 inches)
Weight --- 100 grams + Induction Dock (100 grams) = 200 grams
Battery Size --- 500 mah Rechargeable Lithium-Polymer Battery
Battery Life --- 18 Hours
Cost --- £40 + Induction Dock £20 = £60
Sound System Product Package
The entire sound system can be purchased with the following contents:
SoundCurve with mains charging wire £500
2 x AirTwist with mains charging wire £180
Remote and Induction Dock with USB connection £60
Total Cost for production: £740
Retail Price: £1199.99
SoundCurve Product Package
The SoundCurve can be purchased with the following contents:
SoundCurve with mains charging wire £500
Remote and Induction Dock with USB connection £60
Total Cost for production: £560
Retail Price: £999.99
AirTwist Product Package
The AirTwist can be purchased with the following contents:
AirTwist with mains charging wire £90
Remote and Induction Dock with USB connection £60
Total Cost for production: £150
Retail Price: £599.99
Justification for manufacture cost and retail price:
Although my product uses many methods of connectivity, this is not
what increases its price; it is the SoundCurve which costs £500 to make
because it uses electrostatic speakers. These are extremely expensive to
make and sell. A single search on the internet would provide results
with most of them above £2000 and this is why the manufacturing price
is very high. The 2 speakers in my SoundCurve would be 5x5 cm square
and therefore small and relatively low cost.
Since Apple sells at a premium cost and my aim was to follow in its
footsteps, I increased the retail price as much as it would be sensible to
sell an Apple product like a MacBook or an iPhone. (iPhone 6 costs about
£130 to manufacture but is sold above £400.)
40. Patenting, Copyright, Legislation
I would patent the curved
shape and copyright the
name ‘SoundCurve’ so that
people do not imitate the
looks or the description of
this product to earn revenue
from my idea.
I would patent the idea of a
touchscreen remote as the only
similar product is the
smartwatch. However as my
remote is specially designed for
the SoundCurve it would be fine
to patent it.
I would patent the twisted
shape as it is unique and the
upright portable design could be
reinvented by other companies
in the industry to create new
products.
I would patent the spiral grill as
it matches the entire product
package and a replication would
make my product less unique
and make it look common.
Safety
All my product designs have a thick outer shell
of 5mm of wood, aluminium or plastic. This
means that it could easily stand a lot of
damage, although Apple and Bose products
have a thickness of usually less than 3mm of
any material on the docks (Bose) and phones
(Apple).
There are not many hazards associated with
my designs since the only possible hazard
could be while charging the speakers however
this is a very low risk. Since my product does
not involve many wires and since the only wire
between the speakers required is the USB
between the induction dock and the
SoundCurve, my product will be safe to use for
any user even for regular use.
I would patent the
crescent-shaped dock so
that it can’t be used for
other devices such as
smartphones without
paying the company
owning this product.
I would copyright the names:
SoundCurve
AirTwist
Crescent Induction Dock
Since the AirTwist uses the substring ‘Air’ and the SoundCurve uses the substring ‘Sound’, I would
have to consider any copyright laws created by Apple or Bose respectively (Bose Sounddock and
Apple AirPlay). However, since my product is created in the eyes of Bose and Apple, this would not
be an issue. Other brands could imitate this product and sell it in the name of the two brands and
therefore it is profitable for the company to copyright the names.
46. Bibliography
Amazon – www.amazon.com
Apple – www.apple.com
Bose – www.bose.com
Currys – www.currys.co.uk
Samsung – www.samsung.com
Google – www.google.com
Wikipedia – www.wikipedia.com
Software
Microsoft Office PowerPoint
Microsoft Office Excel
Adobe Photoshop
Serif Photoplus X3
PTC Wildfire pro engineer 2.0
PTC Creo Parametric 3.0
Keyshot 5 (Luxion)
John Ashcroft and Company
Apple Brand Study (2015)
http://www.johnashcroft.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Apple-From-the-iPod-to-the-
iPad-Case-study-2012.pdf
Last accessed November 2015.
STRATASYS
3D Printing Materials (2015)
www.stratasys.com/materials
Last accessed January 2015.
ANDROIDPIT
Super AMOLED Vs Retina Vs OLED Vs LCD Vs IPS: What’s the Difference? – Android PIT (2012)
http://www.androidpit.com/super-amoled-vs-retina-display
Last Accessed February 2015
MOSCARITOLO, A. PC Magazine
Teardown Puts iPhone 6 Cost at $200
http://uk.pcmag.com/smartphones/35967/news/teardown-puts-iphone-6-cost-at-200
Last Accessed March 2015
Design Technology
Wood Properties
http://www.design-technology.org/CDT10woodsproperties.htm
Last Accessed January 2015
Environments:
Interior Design:
http://simonata.com/designatmospheres/wp-
content/uploads/2014/08/Interior_Design_3840x2160
.jpg
Dining Lounge:
http://www.meritonapartments.com.au/sites/default/
files/A_13432-r.jpg
Beach Penthouse:
http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/a/add8/a
dd85707/196923/apartment-suite-penthouse-
penthouse-sea-ocean-tv-bathroom-interior-landscape-
sofas.jpg