Omi Amplifier — Leo Brock

Background

ADAAPT Store

The University of Cincinnati’s DAAP-focused popup shop for students to sell their products

Our Team

The group of students behind this project

Leo Brock
Indusrial Design

Malik Tucker
Industrial Design

Zoe Hong
Communication Design

Aiden Emhuff
Industrial Design

Design Goal

What product can we create that will appeal to buyers at a small, local pop-up shop?

Research

Warm Resonance

Lower Frequency

Conveys Relaxation, Comfort, Depth, Groundedness, Softness, Nostalgia and Richness

Soft and porous materials produce warm resonance

Too warm of a resonance can sound dull and congested

Bright Resonance

High Frequency

Conveys Clarity, Excitement, Energy, Empathy, Joy and Sharpness

Hard and smooth surfaces produce bright resonance

Too bright of a resonance can cause a harsh and fatiguing experience

Shape Research

Research based around how the shape of an object’s channel can affect the sound

Wide Bell

Produces a warm resonance

Store Visits

Finding inspiration in other stores selling niche and handmade goods

Passive Amplifier

A product that forgoes electricity and instead uses its channel shape and material to amplify your phone’s sound

Material Research

Research based around how the amplifier’s material can affect the sound

Wood

Depending on the type, wood can absorb or reflect sound. Usually, harder woods reflect sound better. This sound is described as natural and melodic.

Ceramic

Ceramic is dense and hard, and with a glaze its surface is very smooth. Sounds passing through ceramic are described as crisp and “chime-like”.

Resonances

Research around how different types of sounds produce different feelings and emotions

Narrow Bell

Produces a bright resonance

Early Concepts

Initial Directions

The three initial directions looked into for this project

Stone and Wood

Elegant, Bold, Minimal, Relaxing, Natural, Patterns

Record Player

Playful, Fun, Toylike, Retro, Intuitive, Minimal

Size is ideal
Form is unified with the shape of a phone
Feels “cool”
Form communicates function very well
Simplistic interaction with the phone
- Many speaker-like products have this pill shape

Strong silhouette
Fun to hold
Nicely simplistic
- Takes up too much space
- Not unified with the form of a phone
- Front profile covers the bottom of the screen

Organic Surfacing

Organic, Flow, Calming, Tactile, Layered

Physical Prototypes

Option A

3D models, iterated from the initial concepts, printed for testing

Option B

Option C

Form mimics traditional speakers
Interesting texture
- Form is too blocky
- Footprint is too large
- Texture is too busy in its current state
- Form feels awkward from different angles

Final Use Case Direction

Traditional speakers are most commonly used in settings with crowds and high noise…

… So our amplifier will focus on calm, relaxing and study-based scenarios with only a few people present

Final Model Direction

A combination of Option A and Option B’s best features

Final Model Development

Final Materials

Jesmonite

Jesmonite is a ceramic resin, meaning it can be cast and reproduced. The final result is incredibly similar to ceramic in weight and feel

Red Oak

Red oak was chosen as it is the perfect density to produce warm resonance without sounding too muted or dull

Final Aesthetic

The final design of our amplifier referenced retro wooden speakers, with a splash of color for more variety

Final CAD Model

The final CAD model of the amplifier - created to scale to assist with CNC and molding

Wood CNC

The internals of the amplifier were created using a CNC machine in four separate parts

Jesmonite Casting

A resin model was printed of the amplifier’s shell, which was then used to create a mold for the Jesmonite to be cast in

Brand Development

Brand Strategy

“Our passive amplifier will help focus by relieving users of the distractions of their phone. It will act not just act as a speaker but also as an anchor, rooting the user and giving them a mindful and physical connection to their music and their surroundings”