Interviews with Tobias Kappeler

I wanted to explore sonic experiences and how they could add value to our daily lives besides listening to music. I explored different directions, such as navigation with 3D audio or interacting with 3D sound cues. Dinkum, was developed during the Covid 19 pandemic, and I realised that remote communication will become more embedded in our daily lives. However, the current audio experience in remote communication is not incredibly rich. We struggle with turn-taking, it feels unnatural and can cause fatigue. This led me to hone in on how to improve remote communications.

To create a new audio experience in which people feel close while being remote.

I'm currently exploring other experiences and applications with 3D Audio.

The project was developed within six months, from concept development to the final design.

The project was developed during my master's at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London. I wanted to explore new audio experiences.

People who know each other and want to have a naturally flowing conversation with a high sense of immersion while being remote such as couples, friends, and families.

The project relies on 3D audio spatialisation technology. For the prototyping and development phase, I used 3D audio spatialisation software plugins within a digital audio workstation and built a binaural microphone for more advanced testing with users.

A challenge I faced was how to visualise the speakers in the conversation and when they are speaking. I ideated around different ideas and visualisations. I decided to go for an abstract character representation to enhance the audio experience yet still be aesthetically pleasing.

Working on this project highlighted the importance of testing with a diverse and broad user group. Most people have a sense of hearing yet we all hear slightly different and have different preferences. This came through while testing with various users.

I developed the design under the theme of "observation". I observed that people do not stay seated for extended periods of time to just observe their surroundings. This was the starting point of the design. I explored how observation could come into play when not being seated, which informed the form and structure of the chair. What you observe, is an outline of an armchair, which we associate with longer periods of sitting, yet it's not an armchair, as there are no upholstery or armrests. The seating point was purposely placed low, to enhance the lounge feeling and allow the user to view their environment from a height which is not that common.

I'm planning to create a series of furniture with the same style, such as a bar chair, couch, outdoor seating and a swivel chair. I'm also open to collaborations and have ideas for different materials other than cork to make it more playful.

The design was made within four weeks, from the idea to the final product.

I'm open to different forms of collaboration, as well as selling or leasing the production rights.

Pen and paper for sketching, rapid prototyping materials, steel rods and a spot welding machine, TIG welding machine, hand tube bending machine, spirit level, sanding paper and scotch. I also created a CAD model in Fusion 360 and Blender.

Technology took a backseat in the project, as I couldn't figure out how to use the CAD Software to achieve what I wanted in the given frame, and the tube bending was all done with a hand-powered tool, as well as most of the sanding and spray painting. The symmetry was achieved by eye and measuring. This was a great learning experience for me that less technology can be very inspiring.

I have a cross-disciplinary background in metalwork, construction management, Post-industrial design and Innovation Design Engineering. As a trained metalworker, I know how to precisely work with my hands and use them to rapidly prototype and test ideas. I enjoy the process of making things and building in 3D. However, I wanted to have an impact on people and am interested in emerging technologies which led me to study Post-industrial design with a focus on process design. I did a double master's MSc/MA in Innovation Design Engineering, which taught me the value of experimentation and user testing in all project stages. I did not always know I wanted to be a designer, however, I'm very much enjoying it, and I'm happy I chose this path.

I enjoy both physical and digital products - from furniture to mixed reality software. What matters for me is that people can interact with it, and it makes their lives easier and adds a sense of delight.

My favourite material is probably metal, specifically steel, stainless steel or aluminium because when deformed correctly, you can create durable and complex structures. And I'm also very familiar with the material which helps.

I'm fascinated by immersive technologies as they bring upon a new interaction design paradigm and allow people to interact in a new way while being remote. This can have a significant impact on our planet but also on human interactions, in a positive and negative way.

When working with people from different disciplines and we share the same goal or late at night when I'm alone.

I try to follow an experimental and iterative design process based on user research and feedback. I try to prototype in all stages of the design process, from the first sketches to the final interfaces, with the aim to fail often and fail early. I try not to follow a strict methodology but rather understand and adapt to the context and the situation keeping the end user and the environment in mind.

To not think outside the box but without a box!

To understand and empathize with the people who you are designing for and what our planetary boundaries are.

The early stages of projects which require you to navigate an ambiguous space to define the problem/opportunity. I find these stages very stimulating and enjoy the ideation process and proving if something is worth exploring further.

I'm currently working as a UX prototyper at XYZ Reality which leverages augmented reality on the construction site. I enjoy my work, the team and what we do a lot!

I work better when collaborating with others as I believe that a multidisciplinary approach provides a more holistic approach to design.

Ideally through my website, www.tobiaskappeler.design