Voyage
Music is present in every human society It can have practical, as well as artistic, functions. An example of a practical application of music comes from the history of war. For thousands of years, soldiers used musical rhythms played on drums to communicate on the battlefield. An example of a more creative function of music is emotional expression. A musician combines meaningful lyrics with tones and rhythms that evoke a strong emotional response in the listener. Music has been a part of human societies for thousands of years. However, music players have only been around for the last 100 years. In this project, I aim to explore what could be the next, engaging, exciting, music experience. From discovering, curating, listening and sharing content.
Background
Before the smartphone era, the medium we used to listen to music held a special charm, mainly used by music enthusiasts. The streaming services era democratized access to music, people have access to more music than ever before.
However, the modern reliance on smartphones and streaming services introduces challenges such as decision paralysis and decreased engagement with music.
To create a future engaging music experience, it’s essential to re-engage users with music consumption through tangible interaction and mindful listening to create memorable experiences beyond convenience and abundance of choice.
Inspired by my love for music I dedicate my thesis to creating the next music listening experience for audiophiles.
Result
Voyage is a new music experience that seamlessly blends physical and digital sensations. It uses tangible interaction to connect movement from the physical world into digital input. For example, when looking for the credits of an album you flip the records to check the backside. Have you ever considered the idea of being able to access the credits of a song or album just by flipping your remote? With digital platforms, linking all that information creates a new way of discovering and navigating through music. This feature would allow you to access the information easily and naturally, making the experience of music even more enjoyable.
Voyage is designed for the home, and I wanted to avoid screen-based products. It was important for me to remove another black hole in the living room and move away from touchscreen interaction. That’s why the interface is projected on the wall. It's turned on when using the device and leaves the wall clear when it's off.
An extensive effort has been made on the material exploration and model-making throughout the project. Although I didn’t have the chance to collaborate with experienced craftsmen, I overcame the challenge by utilizing the workshop facilities available at school and working with the materials within my means.
