Speaker
DM-GY 6053 B Ideation & Prototyping | 50 Shades of an Object
Overview
For this project, I chose my speaker as the centerpiece, creating 50 unique renderings of it. My goal was to push my creativity by experimenting with different tools, materials, techniques, and styles. What follows is a look into that process.
Ideation
I began by using mind mapping to contemplate everything related to my speaker. This involved not only considering the creative aspects but also capturing whatever ideas emerged in my mind without thinking.
Drawing
Initially, I began with an intuitive approach, doodling my speaker in various ways, experimenting with techniques such as dots, lines, and surfaces. I also ventured into exploring a diverse range of materials, including pencils, watercolors, and markers.
Adobe Illustrator (AI)
Later, I transitioned to utilizing AI to make geometric shapes and establish a distinct color palette for my speaker. This phase involved deconstructing the speaker’s structure and then recreating it into a unique artwork.
Industrial Design
Following that, I adopted an industrial design perspective, encompassing sketching the product, 3D modeling, and rendering it to further refine its visual representation.
Photoshop
I took some photos of the speaker, employing Photoshop to experiment with various effects and filters, thereby enhancing the visual impact of the images.I particularly favor the swirled rendition, as it imparts a whimsical, almost cartoon-like product. Additionally, the PopArt color scheme lends it the vibrant and dynamic aesthetic reminiscent of music album covers.
3D Models
I crafted several 3D models using foamcore, cardboard, and paper, each highlighting the speaker’s structure from distinct perspectives. Additionally, as a craft enthusiast, I crocheted a bag for the speaker. Furthermore, I have plans to incorporate needle felting, embroidery, or beading techniques to further enhance its design.
Occasions
In the early mind-mapping phase, I imagined the speaker in many settings, like pumpkin carving, reading, and afternoon tea. For these, I plan to use tangible elements to create physical artworks that connect with the speaker. The three images shown here are preliminary sketches, marking the first steps of the design process.
Music Styles
During the mind mapping phase, I explored different music styles. At first, I imagined designing album covers with the speaker—like the 41st design for K-pop and the 42nd for Pop. But I soon found this too limiting. Instead, I shifted to illustrating the emotions of the speaker to express each genre. This change pushed me beyond my comfort zone and opened new, more creative ways to communicate ideas.
Reflection
In this project, I explored many materials, techniques, and styles, ranging from physical art to digital design and craft. Around the 33rd idea, I hit a creative block, unsure how to keep reimagining the speaker. Mind mapping helped me break through, inspiring new directions by linking the speaker to different occasions and music genres.
This journey taught me the importance of flexibility in the creative process, letting go of a single idea and staying open to new paths. Below are some of my favorite pieces.
