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Sound Sculpt Interaktiewe Musieksintetiseerder by Yiqi Zhao

Sound Sculpt Interaktiewe Musieksintetiseerder by Yiqi Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Yster in Digitale Kuns Competition Category.


YsterDigitale Kuns· 2025

Sound Sculpt Interaktiewe Musieksintetiseerder

by Yiqi Zhao

Client: MIT Media Lab

A' Design Award in Yster Winner in Digitale Kuns Category

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The Design

About Sound Sculpt Interaktiewe Musieksintetiseerder

Stel jou 'n wêreld voor waar klank deur beweging gevorm word, wat 'n betowerende oudio-visuele landskap skep. SoundSculpt is 'n generatiewe musiekinstrument wat ruimtelike klank, beweging en visuele kuns saamsmelt. Geïnspireer deur tradisionele beeldhouwerk, bemagtig dit gebruikers om sentraal te staan in hul kreatiewe proses. Met AR Frames word kopbewegings vasgevang en getransformeer na intydse oudiomodulasie deur middel van 'n MIDI-raamwerk. Ontwikkel op 'n runtime-enjin, bied SoundSculpt 'n meeslepende ervaring wat die grense tussen skepper en skepping vervaag en artistieke verkenning herdefinieer.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Yster

Sound Sculpt Interaktiewe Musieksintetiseerder is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Yster, 'n prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan goeie ontwerpe wat voldoen aan die professionele en industriële vereistes wat van goed ontwerpte skeppings verwag word. Wenners in Yster toon groot vaardigheid, hoë spesialisasie, kundige begrip en die kreatiewe vermoë van hul skeppers. Daar word verwag dat Sound Sculpt Interaktiewe Musieksintetiseerder 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde skepping is wat prakties en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Yster gewen het, integreer die beste praktyke in die bedryf en het bekwame tegniese kenmerke gekoppel aan kundigheid en talent. Sound Sculpt Interaktiewe Musieksintetiseerder word gerespekteer vir sy deeglikheid en is ontwerp om verbeterings in lewensgehalte te bied wat help om die wêreld 'n beter plek te maak.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Revolutionizing Perception through Immersive Music Making
Imagine sculpting with sound, where body movement generates a mesmerizing audio visual landscape. SoundSculpt is an innovative, generative music tool that fuses spatial sound, motion, and visual art, redefining the boundaries of creative expression. By harnessing the power of Bose AR Frame, this interface enhances perception performance, providing a novel medium for artistic exploration, emotional regulation, and mental well being.
Dimensions & Packaging
The system uses a MIDI framework to map Bose Frames' head orientation data to sound pitch and volume, then transferred to virtual bubble manipulation is achieved through touch inputs with C# scripts. The integration of synesthesia principles enhances sensory perception, creating a holistic flow that bridges the gap between physical and digital art forms.
Size: 7.2 x 3.1 x 2.9 inches
Weight: 12.31 ounces
Lenses: Polarized
Water Resistance: IPX2 rating
Battery Life: Up to 5.5 hours
Bluetooth Range: 30ft
Tags
AI, generative AI, spatial audio, digital media, unity, music, wearable tech, Bose, XR, AR
Production Technology
SoundSculpt employs XR tech, integrating spatial audio and visual processing for immersive experiences. Bose Frames, with gyro sensors, capture 6 dof head movements, translating them into real-time audio modulation via a MIDI framework. Developed on Unity with C# scripts, it enables real-time user interaction. Mesh deformation and vertex manipulation allow dynamic bubble surface control, creating a responsive interface that enhances engagement and emotional connection.
Design Challenge
The hardest part was integrating multi sensory feedback into a seamless flow. Creatively, it was challenging to synchronize audio-visual elements with inputs in real-time. Internally, balancing human vulnerabilities, historical concepts with modern tech required innovative thinking. Externally, limitations in sensor accuracy and data processing posed obstacles. Overcoming these required iterative testing and leveraging cutting-edge XR technology to ensure fluid interaction and emotional impact.
Research
This HCI research aims to develop an immersive tool for emotion regulation. Using a mixed reality approach, data was collected via user testing and biometric feedback with Bose Glasses and Real-time 3D engine. Participants included designers and non-designers. Results showed enhanced perception of spatial volume, sound, and motion, with a more stable emotion stage. Insights suggest adoption in psychiatry with art therapy, impacting society by improving emotional well-being with playful creation.
Inspiration
SoundSculpt is inspired by the tactile art of sculpting, where shaping materials evokes profound emotional expression. Echoing ancient pottery, where your hands transform raw material into art, SoundSculpt revolutionizes this dynamic by turning it inside out, empowering users to become integral to the creative process. By integrating spatial audio and visual art, I offer you an immersive experience that blurs the boundaries between creator and creation, redefining interaction for a new era.
Project Duration
The project began in fall 2019 at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, MA, and concluded in summer 2020. It was subsequently exhibited to the Bose Frame AR team at Bose Corporation in Framingham, MA.
Operation Flow
SoundSculpt immerses users within a virtual bubble, enabling them to shape its surface through intuitive gestures. As they tilt their heads or press buttons, Bose Frames capture these actions, converting them into dynamic audio-visual feedback. This interaction fosters a seamless cycle of "listen," "sculpt," and "art generation," empowering users to transform their environment. The system's innovative design ensures a fluid, captivating experience that boosts creativity and emotional well-being.
Patents
Copyrights belong to Yiqi Zhao, 2025.
Image Credits
Image 1: Yiqi Zhao, 2024.
Image 2: Yiqi Zhao, 2024.
Image 3: Yiqi Zhao, 2024.
Image 4: Yiqi Zhao, 2024.
Image 5: Yiqi Zhao, 2024.
Video Credits: Yiqi Zhao, 2024.

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