Skills

Branding

Design Thinking

Concepting

3D Modeling

Rendering

Prototyping

Model-making

Wood-working

Graphic Design

Software/Hardware

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Rhino 3D

Keyshot

3D Printer

CNC

Vinyl Cutter

Deliverables

Branded Design

3D Model

Renders

Physical Model

Physical Pedestal

Display poster

Completed

May 2018

As a final project for my CAD studio, we were tasked to create branded headphones, an accompanying pedestal, and a display poster. Following the Swarovski brand guidelines, I created a product that goes beyond functionality, into a dazzling statement piece. It's as much jewelry as it is for listening to music, pushing the boundaries of traditional preconceptions about what headphones should be.

Approach

I wanted a pair of headphones that pushed the boundaries of traditional definition. While the project went through many iterations, the forehead crystal droplet remained at the core of my approach.

Early sketches.

Early renders.

Revisiting after diving deeper into Swarovski's brand, I remodeled, adding more crystals and ornate decoration.

I later had to remodel yet again after purchasing the necessary beads and rhinestones for the physical model. I used digital calipers to measure the exact dimensions, and then created an inset for each jewel and pearl in the central mass that I would later be 3D printing.

Model Building

To further refine the 3D print of the model, we used a process of sanding and layering filler primer until a smooth finish was achieved. As I had little smooth surface area to sand, I ended up using a vinyl cutter to create a cover for the hard to reach in between spaces.

For the pedestal, I created a tabletop height piece, consisting of a large, velvet covered jewel inset within a stand. I used a CNC to carve the jewel out of modeling/insulation foam, one half at a time. After unwrapping the facets of the jewel into a flat surface to use as a pattern, I ran into a problem. As I began to apply the glue, it was soaking through the fabric in an obvious and undesirable way. I decided to lean into the tiny silver pins I had been using to secure the fabric, adding extra at the corner of each facet to become a decorative element - a pop of metallic against the matte black.