Client
Client
Xiaomi
Xiaomi
Role
Role
Interaction Lead
Interaction Lead
Time
Time
4 Months
4 Months
Product Team
Product Team
2 x iD
2 x iD
1 x UxUI
1 x UxUI
2021
Xiaomi Sound & Sound Pro
Xiaomi Sound & Sound Pro
Xiaomi Sound & Sound Pro
Redefine brand perception and product positioning through signature product and experience design.
Redefine brand perception and product positioning through signature product and experience design.
Client
Xiaomi, a global leader in consumer electronics and iOt devices, was looking for a partner to help elevate the Xiaomi brand's audio-product's consumer perception, and product pricing, to a more premium market segment.
Xiaomi, a global leader in consumer electronics and iOt devices, was looking for a partner to help elevate the Xiaomi brand's audio-product's consumer perception, and product pricing, to a more premium market segment.
Product
The physical design was to adhere to a fixed technical stack-up provided by Harman, the core audio supplier. The digital and interactive components would adhere to established Xiaomi Home ecosystem app specs as well as require considerations and implementations of Xiaomi's 'XiaoAI' platform.
The physical design was to adhere to a fixed technical stack-up provided by Harman, the core audio supplier. The digital and interactive components would adhere to established Xiaomi Home ecosystem app specs as well as require considerations and implementations of Xiaomi's 'XiaoAI' platform.
Goals
Visualize Audio
Create a high impact first read which showcases audio performance.
Create a high impact first read which showcases audio performance.
Bold Appearance
Create a unique appearance which stands apart from the market.
Create a unique appearance which stands apart from the market.
Smart Features
Find novel and innovative use cases to create new features based on the novel design.
Find novel and innovative use cases to create new features based on the novel design.
Premium Perception
Through the product, create a new brand perception of high end design.
Through the product, create a new brand perception of high end design.
Result
Process
Rapid digital and physical prototyping was used to explore lighting effects and technical requirements that would be used to showcase both music-based audio performance as well as VUI communication.
Rapid digital and physical prototyping was used to explore lighting effects and technical requirements that would be used to showcase both music-based audio performance as well as VUI communication.
Audio Visual Experience
The end visualization experience consisted of two components; the head and the body. The head served as the XiaoAI listening input and speaking output indicator, while the body visualized the dynamic audio output.
The end visualization experience consisted of two components; the head and the body. The head served as the XiaoAI listening input and speaking output indicator, while the body visualized the dynamic audio output.
Technicals
An array of LED lighting underneath the head was responsible for the majority of the dual-lighting effects in conjunction with the head rim lighting. We created a visualized framework of the LED output and effects that developers used to create the end result.
An array of LED lighting underneath the head was responsible for the majority of the dual-lighting effects in conjunction with the head rim lighting. We created a visualized framework of the LED output and effects that developers used to create the end result.
Demos
Conceived and developed prototypes of both low and medium fidelity, strategically instrumental in showcasing the tangible intended effect to guide buy-in from top level stakeholders.
Conceived and developed prototypes of both low and medium fidelity, strategically instrumental in showcasing the tangible intended effect to guide buy-in from top level stakeholders.
Launch
The Xiaomi leadership expressed high satisfaction with our design, prompting an expansion of the product scale from a limited-run designer series to a mass-market offering. This necessitated a shift to less advanced CNC machines, which unfortunately couldn't fully realize our intended effect at scale. Due to China's Zero Covid policy, we were also unable to provide full support through the implementation to launch phases. Nevertheless, the Xiaomi team emphasized that the profound impact of our design was unmistakably evident in the final result.
The Xiaomi leadership expressed high satisfaction with our design, prompting an expansion of the product scale from a limited-run designer series to a mass-market offering. This necessitated a shift to less advanced CNC machines, which unfortunately couldn't fully realize our intended effect at scale. Due to China's Zero Covid policy, we were also unable to provide full support through the implementation to launch phases. Nevertheless, the Xiaomi team emphasized that the profound impact of our design was unmistakably evident in the final result.
Consumer Taobao Testimonials
"Undoubtedly, it is the signature of Xiaomi Bluetooth speakers. Aces of Ace."
"Undoubtedly, it is the signature of Xiaomi Bluetooth speakers. Aces of Ace."
"The overall design is beautiful. The atmospheric light is very cool. The sound effect exceeded expectations."
"The design is low-key, a bit introverted, but not lacking in texture compared with Home-Pod Mini."
"...Paired with ambient lighting and sound effects really enhances the experience. Xiaomi continues to push towards the peak!"
"...Paired with ambient lighting and sound effects really enhances the experience. Xiaomi continues to push towards the peak!"
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request
Full case studies avaliable upon request