Ballo Portable Speaker by Bernhard Burkard

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

BB : Simplicity and minimalism.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

BB : By totally rethinking the shape of portable speakers we tried to suit modern, mobile lifestyles and offer an easily applicable portable speaker to everybody.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

BB : Through BALLO's simplicity, we want to reach a broad audience and offer the opportunity of owning a well-thought-out piece of design to everyone.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

BB : From the first scratch to its final realization it took about a year.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

BB : Being asked to work for the Hong Kong based brand OYO - Objects You Obsess, there was no way in refusing. So, commissioned by the upcoming brand we designed BALLO.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

BB : Since being co-produced, BALLO is sold and produced by OYO.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

BB : Everybody who loves clean and clever designs.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

BB : BALLO sets itself apart simply because there are no other similar concepts of portable speakers. That is what makes BALLO and its sound experience unique.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

BB : The name BALLO is a reminder of the product's shape. Chosen together with OYO, it is an easily memorable and intelligible term chosen that functions internationally.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

BB : Fast concept sketches and 3D Modeling to verify proportions.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

BB : The speaker‘s shape is a perfect sphere with no actual stand. The BALLO speaker lays, rolls or hangs for a 360 degree music experience.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

BB : On this project, we worked hand in hand with OYO

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

BB : In BALLO technology serves the purpose of actually making the device work.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

BB : After great feedback and a wide appearance on the most important design blogs we were being asked to take part in this design competition.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

BB : We are improving day by day in every aspect of our lives and works.