Nowadays with apps like Spotify, it's easy to skip past new music after listening to the first few measures. Balance helps slow down the experience by bringing back the serendipity of the radio while nudging the user to carefully consider before adjusting the balance – switching to the next station on the radio.
Roles: Industrial Design, Interaction Design, Physical Computing, Prototyping
Materials: Arduino, sensors, maple, concrete, magnets
Tools: Solidworks, CNC machine, SLA printer, Arduino, table saw, joiner, planer
Materials: Arduino, sensors, maple, concrete, magnets
Tools: Solidworks, CNC machine, SLA printer, Arduino, table saw, joiner, planer
Balance
Overview shot
Ball changing the angle of radio
The Interaction
Changing Radio Stations:
As the user moves the ball along the radio, its weight changes the angle of the radio, determining the radio station. By having to carefully balance the ball at the right angle, it slows the user's experience down and helps them appreciate the music, rather than quickly surfing through options with a knob.
Changing Volume:
Along the side of the radio is lined with capacitive touch sensors that increase in volume as you slide towards the larger area and vice versa. The radio itself acts as a visual indicator for the volume.
Ideation
Image Board
Ideation Sketches
Sketch Models
Fabrication Process
Figuring out the processes and materials needed to realize the idea
CNC Machining +. Sanding —
Transferred the 3D model to the CNC machine, cut the part out, and sanded it
Creating the Concrete Ball —
Created a mold for the concrete ball and sealed neodymium magnets inside
Electronics —
Experimented with different sensors to get desired interactions across
The Radio
The underside
Closeup
