BRIEF: Reimagine an icon of the past for the present day.
Approach: Nostalgic analog meets progressive tech
Outcome: digital reel-to-reel tape recorder and OLED speaker that combines the superior sound quality and intimate listening experience of analog tape with the improved user interface and discreet form factor enabled by digital technology.
STATUS: CONCEPT
FOCUS: RESEARCH, MECHANICAL DESIGN, SOURCING, VISUALIZATION, UX/UI
RECOGNITION: DEZEEN X LG DISPLAYS OLEDs GO! COMPETITION SHORTLIST
THE TRANSPARENT DISPLAY AUGMENTS THE REEL WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SUCH AS MUSIC VISUALIZATIONS, ARTWORK, OR LYRICS
CINEMATIC SOUND IS CREATED BY VIBRATING THE OLED PANEL USING AN ELECTRO EXCITER BEHIND THE DISPLAY BEZEL
A FACE-LIFTED INTERNAL MECHANISM MAKES THE DEVICE EASIER TO USE; USERS CAN INTUIT WHERE TO THREAD THE TAPE SINCE THERE IS ONLY ONE OPTION—INTO THE SLOTS
A SLOT IN THE RIGHT REEL CAP REVEALS THE TAPE BEHIND IT ROLLING UP AS IT PLAYS, EFFECTIVELY ACTING AS AN ‘ANALOG PROGRESS-BAR’
MOST MECHANICAL COMPONENTS ARE CONTROLLED BY A DIGITAL DRIVER, WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY SIMPLIFIES THE PRODUCT'S INTERNALS, ULTIMATELY MAKING IT SLIMMER AND SLEEKER.
