FRAME_SPEAKERS

Speakers as strong as you.

This project focused on creating a line of speakers with a unique semiotic meaning. This semiotic perspective intends to set the device apart in a sea of similar competitors. Following market research, a Client Brief was written alongside a Semiotic Analysis. Then, through a series of iterations and concepts, three final forms were selected and brought to life in CAD.

Product Lineup

An audio product brand that fully embraces a more bold, brash, and rough lifestyle. By proudly showing off the damage it aquires it appeals to those who find value in a product they don’t need to care for.

Core Concept

Client Brief Summary:
This product is for someone who takes music with them everywhere. They are young, loud, and passionate. They picked it for its unique styling and “bulletproof” durability. Its celebration of damage and wear make it stand out among speakers, yet feels right at home with skateboards, shoes, and industrial equiptment.

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Semiotic Analysis Summary:
The crash cage surrounding the object associates it similar protective structures as seen in race cars, stunt bikes, and construction equiptment. The exposed driver is iconic of speaker itself. By intentionally exposing the driver, the speaker appears to prioritize volume in a way its competitors do not. This feature, along with the exposed exoskeleton, create a unique mythology an storytelling opportunity.

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Initial concept sketches
Visual style inspiration

Form exploration sketches

CMF Summary
The CMF of this product will reflect its “extreme” branding. The frame is made from anodized aluminum and PLA, a bioplastic, forms the body. The anodized aluminum frame is specifically chosen to display scratches and damage. This intentional wear connects it with other products that tell a story through their damage. The PLA is given a rough texture to both increase durability and “tell” the user to not worry about scratches.

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Damage and wear style inspiration

_THUMPER

The largest speaker, _THUMPER brings the bass wherever it goes. Designed for listening loud, its dual woofers pump out ear shattering levels of sound, while its special damping frame keeps it safe and sound.

_BOX

The _BOX is the speaker you don’t need to care about. Toss it in a bag, down a flight of stairs, or into the ocean and it won’t skip a beat. Its fully shielded design is meant to stimulate both the eyes and the ears.

_CATCH

The _CATCH is for the person who takes music with them everywhere. They want a speaker that is lightweight, visually interesting, and can take a beating strapped to their bag.

The Right to Repair
As designers, we have a responsibility to think about more than just the creation of a product. We must consider every step of a products life cycle in order to minimize our contribution to the endless waste we humans produce. Because of this, _FRAME was designed from the start with repair in mind. Each device can be dissambled with a simple set of tools and replacement frames, drivers, and any other pieces that might break will be available for purchase. Detailed repair guides will be published via ifixit.com, and users will be encouraged to keep their device alive as long as possible. However, every good story must come to an end. Luckily, _FRAME is designed to die gracefully, with every part able to be full torn down and refurbished or recycled.

TRISTAN BLAZER