SHADE
portable speaker
2024, Individual Work at RISD, 2 Months
Shade is more than just a speaker—it is an invitation into a world of music. As the sliding doors slowly open, they create a moment of quiet anticipation, like stepping through a threshold into another realm. This gentle, fluid motion turns the act of listening into a ritual, where sound and space merge, drawing you deeper into the experience.
The medium
for entering the world of music
Slide To Turn On
Power on by sliding the door frame, revealing a clever visual transition. As you slide, the sound port gradually appears, ready to play your music. The design includes a central control bar for seamless adjustments, offering both aesthetic appeal and intuitive functionality in one sleek motion.
Volume Bar
Only after powering on by sliding the top door does the volume bar reveal. Adjust the volume smoothly using the same sliding motion.
Multiple devices
for an immersive stereo audio experience
PROCESS
Inspired by
Naoto Fukasawa’s MUJI CD player
Naoto Fukasawa’s MUJI CD player inspires me with its subtle yet profound design choices. By cleverly incorporating the pull-cord mechanism from a wall-mounted fan, he creates an intuitive interaction that resonates with a familiar gesture. This simple act of pulling the cord not only turns the CD player on but also evokes the nostalgic imagery of a fan gently whirring to life—a moment of quiet comfort and ease. This seamless connection between object and memory enhances usability, making the interaction feel natural, effortless, and emotionally engaging.
Design Method:
Seeking commonality between design input and medium, embedding daily experiences into the medium to create a novel perception.
REsearch from everyday Objects
Experiment:
The Metaphorical Meaning Emerging from Transformed Behaviors
Instead of simply pressing a round button to power on the speaker, I transform the experience by integrating an alternative action that carries metaphorical meaning. This approach offers users a novel perspective, enhancing their engagement with the speaker in a more meaningful way.
like calling someone over, gently summoning the melody.
Music drifts out like the aroma of coffee being ground.
Inspired by Reception bell
Inspired by coffee Grinder
like opening a door into the world of music..
Inspired by Sliding door
Select concept of Sliding door
Because the act of opening a door inherently carries strong metaphorical meaning, it serves as a medium connecting to the world of music. At the moment of powering on, it creates a sense of ritual, enhancing immersion in the music.
