Knophone

 
Acting as a design consultant for Light company by taking their meaningful manifesto and creating a new product line that upholds these ideals, the Lightphone metamorphized into the Knophone.

Acting as a design consultant for Light company by taking their meaningful manifesto and creating a new product line that upholds these ideals, the Lightphone metamorphized into the Knophone.

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Objectives

In rebranding the Lightphone, I wanted to strike a happy middle ground between the expansively useful smart phones we know today and the bare bones functionality of the current Lightphone. After conducting some market research, I found most consumers were not attracted by the Lightphone because of the necessity and convenience of smart phones as pocket computers. My redesign focused on three key objectives:

1) Strip the modern smart phone down to its bare essentials

2) Justify offering LESS to the user

3) Emphasize the Lightphone manifesto through real world activity

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Results

The Knophone is a Bluetooth smart phone add on that keeps what you love about smart phones while chopping off the excess features. The device incentivizes real world activity and interaction through a game-like social interface inspired by Tamagotchi’s, allowing you to track activities and achievements in real time and compare and participate with friends. The built in camera and headphones allow you to leave your smartphone at home for the day while still being able to share the things you love with the people you know, so you can get away from the screen and get back to ‘Kno’-ing yourself.

 

My Future Hobby: The String Board

 
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Ideation

In the future, what will playing guitar look like? To understand better, I delved into how other musical instruments are developing with the changes the digital age has brought. Instruments are becoming notably more accessible and portable to match our dynamic lifestyles. However, I can’t even take my guitar on a plane unless I want to pay for a whole extra ticket, and you may need loads of equipment or even multiple guitars to achieve a desired sound.

 
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Application

The Stringboard is a MIDI guitar controller that you can keep in your backpack, pull out on a plane, plug into your computer, and get right to jamming. Unlike a MIDI keyboard, the responsive nylon strings of the Stringboard, along with the sleek body and digital compatibility, allow users to play with the slides, bends, and feel of a real guitar anywhere. The Stringboard also includes a ‘Lessons’ feature, inspired by the popular ‘Tap Tap’ apps, in which LEDs underneath the frets and strings indicate finger placements in accordance with the digital lesson, allowing anyone to learn guitar, whenever, wherever.

Sketch of a custom astronaut boot with labels indicating design features, including a logo, leather strap, cloth belt fabric, embroidered patch, metal buckle, astronaut boot sole, and a loop.
Hand-drawn diagram of a wallet with labeled features, including a leather shoulder strap, flap covers front, zipped main pocket, small side pocket, zipped coin purse, card holder, slots for writing utensils, and a sliding component for writing utensi
Hand-drawn diagram of a multi-compartment backpack with labels indicating features such as front pocket, tote, sling, pack, bottle holder, attach with buttons, extra pocket, loops to buckle in, satchel space, extendable front pocket, straps, and vari
Sketch of a fishing backpack with labeled features including a main compartment, drawstring with strap, separate front pocket, graphic following a 'N' sticker in the bag, strings to tie helmet, bottle holder, Hex mesh cleat gear pocket, and a small i
Sketch of an architectural structure with ivy on the outside. The drawing shows a front and head-on perspective of columns, arches, and steel beams, with handwritten notes about ivy and columns.
Sketches of architectural structures in three different states: the top shows a structure with lamps providing light and heat, labeled 'UP'; the middle depicts an enclosed structure with Gothic columns and arches made of Seabury brick, with a glass p
Sketch of various types of bags, including backpacks, duffel bags, tote bags, and small pouches, with a handwritten list of bag categories such as travel, activity, everyday, small outings, and returning soon.
Hand-drawn sketch of a spray bottle mechanism with annotations. The drawing shows the spray bottle with labels indicating how it works: rotating to change spray setting, pump mechanism to intake and spray water, and a fill level indicator. The spray
Sketches of a grappling tool resembling a fist, highlighting its rubber grip for the hand, a hard rubber protective cover, and flexible rubber lines for grip and flexibility.
Hand-drawn diagram of a water bottle with labeled parts: opaque 'window tint' plastic showing water level, cap with snap back on hinge, nylon strap, premium leather handle, embroidered badge, and insulating glossy aluminum. The bottle is red and gray
Sketch of a baseball glove and ball on a white background.
Sketch of a spherical object with layers, labeled as matte white, matte gold or wood finish, and embedded in granite, with additional small round elements and a diagonal line crossing through the object.
Hand-drawn sketch of a small refrigerator with a green trim, casting a shadow on a plain surface.
Hand-drawn sketches of various medical devices, including an inhaler, a pill bottle labeled 'PILL', a box of medication on wheels, and a blister pack of pills.
Hand-drawn diagram of a portable electric device with foldable handles, LED indicators, and power outlets, showing internal wiring and components.
A muscular male warrior with fiery hair, yellow eyes, and a determined expression, standing in a fierce pose with smoke or energy surrounding him, wearing yellow pants.
Hand-drawn illustration of a person with messy hair, wearing a fur-collared jacket, ripped jeans, and boots, standing on a snow-covered ground.
Cartoon illustration of an elderly man with a beard, wearing a hat, fishing gear, modern sandals, holding a fishing rod, with a fish on the line, and a drink in hand, smiling with closed eyes.
A pencil sketch featuring a LEGO Stormtrooper figure on the left and a large, detailed dragon-like creature on the right, sitting with a staff in front of it.
A pencil sketch of a disembodied muscular male torso with no head, holding a telephone to his ear, surrounded by various abstract elements including a polka-dotted umbrella, a spherical object with animal print, a cloud with faces, and a rainbow.