Being aware of other’s needs and being empathetic is a crucial part of being a designer - and designing for people with different capabilities is the best way to understand others’ needs. 

Have you ever wondered how hard it is to continue playing music when your hearing sense is diminished?

The Wave is a product designed for musicians that have been experiencing hearing issues. It is an aid or a guide, to help them cope with this situation, without having to quit playing their instruments. It enhances the experience of playing music through vibrations and visuals.

The Wave is made up of two parts: the screen and the wristband. Each one of them helps the musician in two very important things while playing music: tuning and following tempo.

The wristband helps the musician in the process of tuning and through a blinking LED will tell the user when the instrument is ready to use. On the other hand, since metronomes are difficult to be heard and to follow, through vibrations on the wristband, the user can follow the tempo or beat.

On the screen, sound is shown as colours. Notes and chords are represented through a series of color schemes, having these visuals as backups or reinforcements to sounds.

During the process of making the video, different tools were used. The storyboard and the shortlist were important parts of the process. The prototype of the product used in the video evolved from a lo-fi prototype made of cardboard and paper, to a mid-fi prototype made of laser cut MDF and acrylic.