Music Planet: A Bluetooth Speaker Inspired by the Universe

An Artistic and Functional Design

The designers drew inspiration from the dream of being able to hold a star from the night sky. The Music Planet is shaped like a planet, allowing users to hold it in their hands and feel a connection with the celestial bodies. Additionally, the design incorporates an ancient Persian art form called ebru wet extension fluid art, which adds a stunning visual element resembling the surface of a giant planet.

What sets Music Planet apart from other Bluetooth speakers is its focus on artistic expression. The translucent acrylic ring plate, illuminated by a programmed RGB LED, creates a captivating display of colors. Combined with the textures printed using the wet extension fluid process, the design successfully simulates the appearance of a planet.

The realization of Music Planet involves a combination of plastic injection molding and the use of specific materials. The two hemispheres are made of ABS, while the ring plate is made of PMMA. Inside, the design features electronic components such as a circuit board, RGB LED, battery, and speaker. The result is a visually striking and technologically advanced Bluetooth speaker.

With dimensions of 140mm in width, 140mm in depth, and 80mm in height, Music Planet weighs approximately 500g. Its compact size makes it suitable for various settings, including offices, children's rooms, and as a decorative piece.

Interacting with Music Planet is intuitive and user-friendly. To access the speaker, users simply rotate the two hemispheres with their hands. The control panel and USB charging connector are conveniently located at the center of the ring plate, featuring small buttons for color-changing functions. The design offers three main light control options: color-changing, timer light, and breath and blink light. The sound speaker, positioned at a 15-degree angle from the surface, reflects the music's audio towards the listener.

The development of Music Planet was a five-year project that began in Shanghai in late 2014 and concluded in late 2018. Throughout the process, the designers created over 20 different prototypes, focusing on various aspects such as lighting systems, sound quality, electronic components, programming, assembly, and cost control. The design was exhibited at the Shanghai Design Week in 2016 and 2017, as well as an academic material exhibition in Shanghai in 2018.

Overcoming challenges was an integral part of the design process. Creating a wireless speaker with invisible speaker holes without compromising sound quality required extensive experimentation. The designers achieved this by adjusting the speaker cover, reducing the speaker's room, and fine-tuning the chips and circuit board. Additionally, they discovered that the sound reflected differently depending on the material of the surface it was pointed towards, with wood reflecting warm and deep sound and metal reflecting a colder and cleaner sound.

Music Planet not only offers a unique audio experience but also serves as a decorative object. The design breaks away from the traditional industrial aesthetic, incorporating art and technique into an electronic device. It sparks imagination in children with its soft music and ambient lighting, while also adding a touch of elegance to offices and homes.

Music Planet has been recognized for its excellence in design, receiving the Iron A' Design Award in the Digital and Electronic Device Design category in 2019. This prestigious award honors well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. With its fusion of art and technology, Music Planet contributes to a better world by providing fulfillment and positive feelings.