Black Box Portable Bluetooth speaker by Elham Mirzapour

---

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

EM : The idea and source of inspiration for designing this product is closely related to its function and nature. The BlackBox is a speaker, and naturally its job is to propagate sound waves around it. My idea for designing the box and the source of inspiration was actually the sound waves. Visible and more perceptible examples of the wave can be easily found in our surroundings. Watching the wave move on the water can be one of these signs. I tried to simplify the form and shape of the wave as much as possible, to show it in the product so that I can induce a sense of movement and restlessness of waves to propagate in the environment of this speaker to the user and the audience. Also, my other source of inspiration is the inspiration from the center of the universe, which this speaker creates and spreads in the world like a fountain of waves. The two parts of the speaker are placed on top of each other in the off state and turn into a small mysterious black box. The name “Black Box” has been chosen for this speaker accordingly.

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

EM : What is important is to be able to convey the emotional feeling to the user in the best way in the design of this product, with the help of the source of inspiration, so that the user enjoys it more while using this product.

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

EM : I check my product again and try to upgrade it.

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

EM : I do not remember exactly, but I can say that the initial concept was formed in my mind over time, but it suddenly grew and matured.

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

EM : It was a new challenge for me and I accepted it and finally managed to design the “BlackBox”.

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?

EM : I have not yet responded to production suggestions for this product. I need more time to decide. I definitely welcome a good production situation.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

EM : First of all, I welcome challenges in work, and in fact, it is a kind of challenge for me. Secondly, I am interested in such products and I enjoy designing such products.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

EM : Definitely a good designer should read a lot, watch a lot (other products and designs) and analyze a lot. In answer to your question, I cannot mention a specific person or project, but I can say that many currents have affected me. Sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

EM : People interested in listening to music and users of portable speakers.

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

EM : Paying special attention to the concept and nature of the product and its application. Attempting to design the form in close connection with its function.

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

EM : This product has two speakers in which are placed on top of each other in the off state and it turns into a small mysterious black box. The name Black Box has been chosen for this speaker accordingly. A mysterious black box that conveys a curious and mysterious feeling to the user and tempts him to open and use it.

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

EM : 3D modeling software, rendering software, acoustic experiments, as well as simulators and finally the present software.

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

EM : Attention to detail, beauty in ultimate simplicity and conveying a sense to user.

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

EM : I designed this product individually. But in the field of acoustic experiments and analysis, I have the help of several experts in this field.

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

EM : Technology plays a very important role in the design of the BlackBox. Charging both parts of the speaker by connecting them together in black box mode, using delicate buttons, using Bluetooth, as well as speakers inside the body, are all closely related to technology.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

EM : Yes, acoustic and sound tests and analyzes to examine the shapes designed for the body and their effect on optimizing the power and sound quality of the speakers.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

EM : The Most important challenge was the influence of the body shape on the sound propagation performance of the speaker. I was thinking of forms that needed to be slightly modified and redesigned to improve sound quality. These design modifications were made during the experiments.

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

EM : I have already participated in many international design competitions and won many awards. This led me to test my new design once again in a prestigious global judging challenge.

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

EM : I had designed a few other speakers before, but the challenge of the body surface shape of this product and its relationship with the quality and power of the speaker sound taught me new and exciting lessons.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

EM : Thank you for this interview.