Wave Audio

concept / 2020

Wave Audio is a concept audio system aimed at creating a home audio experience that merges the intention and sound benefits of a home stereo with the interaction, connectivity, and portability of a modern Bluetooth speaker.

  • Stereo or Mono: With two speakers, the Wave Audio system can emit music in either stereo or mono. Use stereo for dynamic audio in an entertainment space or switch the speakers into mono mode and play the same music in two different spaces simultaneously.

  • Global or Independent Control: The speakers can be controlled independently using their own volume controls or controlled globally from the dock. This allows the listener to increase the volume of the system or just one speaker at a time as the situation requires.

Creature Speaker Pair Off Base.JPG
Creature Speaker Sketch Process.jpg

One of my goals for this project was to use and develop my skills in Rhino 3D. Rhino is a CAD software that is often used by architects and industrial designers to generate and manipulate complex organic shapes and surfaces. Compared to SolidWorks, Rhino provides much more control over the geometry while the workflow structure is reduced. In Rhino, I was challenged to create the depressions in the base below the speakers. Not only are the contours complex, but they blend together between the speakers (they don’t return completely to a flat datum). I’m not confident I could recreate this result in SolidWorks. I’m excited to leverage the strengths of each software to help create better products.

Additionally, I created renderings in Keyshot. Keyshot is a professional rendering software that can create exceptionally realistic images. It’s amazing how well it can replicate material and light. Not only do the images look good, but accurate photo renderings can help refine material and color selection and generate valuable feedback from viewers and potential customers.

Prior to the Wave concept design project, I created an audio concept inspired by vintage tube radios. Using vintage enclosures and new electronics (still tube driven) I created an audio system that was pleasing to look at, sounded great, and connected to modern devices with Bluetooth. After modifying the existing enclosures, I conceptualized a few modern enclosures using the same tube-driven electronics in an attempt to create an engaging and striking product for the home.