Duration: 8 weeks
Team
Agnes Andersson
Estela M. Ankarbåge
Elin Franzén
Agnes Andersson
Estela M. Ankarbåge
Elin Franzén
DESCRIPTION
This project allowed me to increase my knowledge of product semiotics, and my ability to analyze and shape products focusing on the product's desired expression.
This project allowed me to increase my knowledge of product semiotics, and my ability to analyze and shape products focusing on the product's desired expression.
The project itself is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to create a common persona, and based on the persona each team member builds their own radio which is the second part. A project purely for product semiotics without the need to think of real life consequences of design nor material choices; therefore this project has not been in collaboration with a company.
STEPS
- creating persona, expression association web, and expression board
- idea sketches
- concept creation
- concept evaluation
- realization in Alias
- creating persona, expression association web, and expression board
- idea sketches
- concept creation
- concept evaluation
- realization in Alias
Defining the desired expression
Our persona is Elsa, an elegant elderly lady in her 70's who appreciates simple designs which are nonetheless interesting. Taking each day as they come, she doesn't want to have any hassle nor stress in her life. Considering her lifestyle, the radio she uses has to be intuitive, fulfill it's function without lacking elegance and be a component which doesn't evoke stress or confusion.
1. An artefact that describes her character
2. An artefact that Elsa owns. This necklace shows her personal style, attitude and values.
3. Desired experience when listening to the radio
2. An artefact that Elsa owns. This necklace shows her personal style, attitude and values.
3. Desired experience when listening to the radio
my own radio
Now it was time to create my own radio based off of the persona and three boards.
Idea sketches
I tried to capture the chosen adjectives in both shape and fine details. Being inspired by the expression board's objects which contain sharp lines but at the same time manage to give the impression of being peaceful through material finish, "calm" colour scheme and soft corners.
I make sure that my thought process is documented through these sketches. Altering details such as overall shape, softer or sharper corners, "partage" lines, etc. are tested to see what ideas best complement the persona and desired expression. Three of the ideas were developed into concepts.
Concept Sketches
These three concepts were derived from the idea sketches and were chosen because they were the most suitable to the persona and the desired expression. I evaluated the concepts by placing each of them on a scale of suitable adjectives with their antonyms. By doing so, I could see which concept scored the highest; in other words achieved the desired expression the best.
Alias Rendering
The interface was made to be very simple to suit the persona who wants something intuitive and avoid confusion. Three buttons were applied: ON/OFF, volume and radio frequencies. In Alias I experienced some difficulties with surface continuity especially.
The Result
The result was added into the expression board to see how well it fit in. First impression is that both colours and shape fit into the board.
An outer shell was made out of brushed steel where the front is covered in glass. The knobs are inspired by the water droplets on the wood, the overall shape is inspired from the water drops (a big water drop) and suits the wine glasses as well (being bottom heavy and pointing upwards).
At the bottom I have added the radio in a neutral environment. A balcony where it could likely be sitting playing music from a radio channel.
