Exploring the shape of sound
Challenge
The theme of the task was sound, and the task was too create a voice-activated speaker. The goal was to create a shape based on a metaphor that conveyed sound coming in an out of the device.
Process
Metaphors
I based by design on the shape of the shell of a nautilus. I chose this as my metaphor due to the myth that if one holds a conch shell to one’s ear, one can hear the sound of the ocean. The shape is therefore often associated with sound. The organic spiral shape gives a clear direction to the sound. Such as a speaker spread sound, the shape unfold.
Iterations
Result
The body is made out of three pieces of plastic, the sides are based on the golden spiral, and to contrast the round shapes the opening is in the shape of a triangle. The sides are painted with a faint gradient to further enhance the spiral movement. The triangle is perforated to convey sound coming out of the device. The wire and part in the centre give the spiral shape an axis to spin around. The part in the centre is shaped like a microphone to convey sound coming into the device. To contrast the soft plastic, this part is made out of hard metal. The turquoise colour is supposed to give associations to the ocean. In order to create contrast, the wire and metal part is coloured yellow.
