Interactive Speaker: A Music Player in the Shape of a Bird

Redesigning the Traditional Music Player

Traditional music players often have small buttons that can be difficult to navigate. Zebin Qiao wanted to create a more intuitive and engaging experience for users. Drawing inspiration from the act of touching small animals, the bird shape was chosen to encourage users to interact with the device.

With the Interactive Speaker, users can control their music by touching different parts of the bird. The head and tail can be touched to skip songs, while a touch on the back of the bird collects and pauses music. The position of the bird indicates the progress of the song, and the color of its back indicates whether the music has been collected.

One of the key strengths of the Interactive Speaker is its focus on simplicity and user-friendly design. By consolidating the button functions onto the bird itself, users only need to touch the back of the bird to perform various actions. This streamlined approach eliminates the need for small buttons and enhances the overall user experience.

The Interactive Speaker is not only functional but also visually appealing. The bird shape is aesthetically pleasing and fits well with the concept of a music player. The use of injection molding technology and ABS plastic ensures a durable and high-quality product.

Measuring at 170mm×55mm×95mm, the Interactive Speaker is compact and portable, making it perfect for on-the-go music lovers. It can be connected to devices via Bluetooth, allowing users to enjoy their favorite tunes wirelessly.

The Interactive Speaker project started in Tianjin in July 2020 and was completed in September 2020. Throughout the design process, Zebin Qiao focused on creating a music player that would evoke emotional and interactive experiences with users. The visualization of music progress and the quick and intuitive music collection were among the challenges that were successfully overcome.

The Interactive Speaker has received recognition for its innovative design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Audio and Sound Equipment Design category in 2021. This prestigious award honors designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving the quality of life through art, science, design, and technology.

The Interactive Speaker by Zebin Qiao is a testament to the power of combining art, design, and technology. With its unique form and interactive features, it offers a fresh and engaging way to enjoy music.