Harmony
Illumination
Tools
Rhino, Enscape, Arduino, Sensors, Adobe Creative Suite, C++
Team Member
Reina Li
Overview
The project focuses on adapting and repurposing an existing, outdated object. The concept involves exploring cymatics, which is the process of transferring sound waves into water waves as a means of visualization.
Outcome
The new product serve as a desktop decoration for wellness enthusiasts while eliminating product waste. It also showcasee the relationship between sound and water waves
Process
01.
Empathize
02.
Define
03.
Ideate
04.
Prototype
05.
Testing
06.
Reflect
How can we repurpose outdated projects into something useful new?
Define
Why repurposing
People always throw away outdated projects, and I’m wondering if I can repurpose them. I found an outdated amplifier speaker in my house that needs to be plugged into another system. It uses an RCA cable, which I find difficult to connect to another device with an RCA output.
Existing input, processing and output
Input
RCB that is connected to audio signals. This connection allows synchronization with the speaker using a wire via electric signal input.
Processing
Amplifier system that enhances the strength of the sound and its frequency. The signal then passes through the cone, which is connected to the voice coil.
Output
The sound wave travels through the components in order for the users to hear the newly produced sound. It converts electrical signals into sound waves.
Ideate
Ideations for development
Brainstorming the strengths and weaknesses of the speaker, replacing the entire sound system would necessitate a large amount of space and incur significant costs.
​
My design thinking shifted to focus on utilizing aspects that the speaker is good at, instead of changing the whole system
The concept is to utilize sound waves as a form of visualization, with water cymatics being the main solution. This involves transferring the sound waves to the water by placing a small container on top of the speaker system. The water will then create different patterns based on the frequency, serving as a tool for visualization.
I decided to also add a lighting component and a distance sensor so that the project serves as a desktop decoration. The color of the light will change based on the distance. When the user is close, the lighting is uniform, and when the user is far, it shifts to a rainbow flashing color, encouraging the user to come closer.
Prototype
Constructing water cymatics
Between using glass and 3D printed resin, the 3D printed resin is able to allow sound to transfer more effectively and project a clearer visualization.
Glass
3D print Flexible resin
Testing
Height to perform water cymatics
Placing the container around an inch above the speaker system, connected by a tube​
Directly on top of the speaker system (the better choice)
Illustration
Building an exterior shell in order to camouflage all the hardware; all the hardware goes inside.
Working Prototype
Final Demonstration
The light flash in a rainbow color for a distance, but perform a uniform color up close. The sound wave is transmitted into the water to form a visualization.