Story
This project was inspired by the product, TP-7 designed and manufactured by the company teenage engineering. The aim with my audio product was to analyse and understand the added features/extras that the beautiful TP-7 has and create a more affordable solution. This began with analysing the market.
Market Analysis
Teenage Engineering // TP-7 // €1,500
It is very clear why this product has such a high price point. The features and the box these features reside in. You just want to pick it up and understand it. Its hidden secrets shown in the exterior bring about a sense of curiosity. The TP-7's main drawback is its high price point. Looking at audio/tape recorders this price can only be justified to 3 markets of people: The rich; The audio product enthusiast; The teenage engineering company fanbase.
Tascam // DR-05X // €109
A simple audio recorder at a reasonable price point. Deliver good quality recording. The design of the product doesn't evoke any sense of emotion. It is unimportant in this context. The consumer is the person who needs the job done.
Panasonic // RR-US571 // €70
What can only be described by me as the soviet union USSR-esque design for an audio recorder, I found this to be an interesting product. Analysing its design, I found several features that irked me. Even the text looks like it was placed last minute.
Zoom // H1n // €89
This electric taser looking audio recorder was personally not for me. Though its ergonomic, has a clear display and gets the job done, there is something about its electric weapon looking design that would not make me want to use it. I do like the simplicity of the button layout and clear direction of use.
Panasonic // RR-QR240 // €100 (used) - €500 (new)
An old audio recorder. It was released circa 2000. This product was made for various regions around the world. This could be found by seeing how Panasonic used a Japanese typeface for their Asian customers of this product. This product has a quirky way of storing the batteries with the batteries being separated in the back casing slot.
My next step in my research was understanding the internals that went into an audio product.
Since my goal is to create my own rendition of the TP-7 but at a more affordable price point, I was mainly focusing on the internals of products like the TP-7.
Analysis of Form.
Highlights.
Ideating the form of my audio recording device. The idea for the name of this product would be called the TAPE BOX.
Quick on paper sketching. Finalising all the features and functions.
Prototype 1
Placement of interaction points and features not great. Looks unappealing and overall "off".
Prototype 2
An iPhone 12 shaped shell. Though fits in the hand nicely, the interaction points need to be considered as features that should require a form of the product that helps promote playful interaction.
Prototype 3
Hand fits nicely over this form (see form study). Interaction points are aligned and positioned in a clear and distinct way. This allows the user to understand the difference between the buttons through the use of a structured layout.
THE TAPE BOX
_ _ _ _
Exploded
User Interface Mockup
Easy to understand. Playful to work with. Fun to spend time with.
The idea behind the user interface was to create graphics that are pleasant to understand and work with. Since I increased the size of the screen in comparison to the TP-7 in regards to pushing more of the features to be ran through the screen, I wanted this point of interaction to also hold up good design.
Here are some example screenshot mockups.
With the navigation buttons and the slider, a lot of actions can be done with the Tape Box. The examples above show some of the information than can be accessed to chopping and slicing audio. An idea of creating a base level eq of operating the buttons and sliders could also be possible.
Thank you.
