Sound Sculpt Interaktivni Muzički Sintisajzer by Yiqi Zhao

Sound Sculpt Interaktivni Muzički Sintisajzer by Yiqi Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Гвоздена награда A' Design Award in Дигитална уметност Competition Category.

ГвозденаДигитална уметност· 2025

Sound Sculpt Interaktivni Muzički Sintisajzer

by Yiqi Zhao

Client: MIT Media Lab

Гвоздена награда A' Design Award Winner in Дигитална уметност Category

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The Design

About Sound Sculpt Interaktivni Muzički Sintisajzer

Zamislite svet u kojem se zvuk oblikuje pokretom, stvarajući zadivljujući audiovizuelni pejzaž. SoundSculpt je generativni muzički alat koji spaja prostorni zvuk, pokret i vizuelnu umetnost. Crpeći inspiraciju iz tradicionalnog vajarstva, omogućava korisnicima da budu u centru svog kreativnog procesa. Pomoću AR Frames tehnologije, pokreti glave se beleže i transformišu u audio modulaciju u realnom vremenu putem MIDI okvira. Razvijen na runtime engine platformi, SoundSculpt nudi imerzivno iskustvo koje briše granice između stvaraoca i stvaranja, redefinišući umetničko istraživanje.

The Recognition

About the Гвоздена награда A' Design Award

Sound Sculpt Interaktivni Muzički Sintisajzer је добитник Гвоздене награде A' Design Award, престижног признања које се додељује добрим дизајнима који испуњавају професионалне и индустријске захтеве очекиване од добро осмишљених творевина. Добитници Гвоздене награде показују велико умеће, високу специјализацију, стручно разумевање и креативне способности својих твораца. Очекује се да Sound Sculpt Interaktivni Muzički Sintisajzer буде високо цењена, дивљена и вољена творевина која је практична и иновативна. Овај дизајн награђен Гвозденом наградом A' Design Award уграђује најбоље праксе индустрије и има компетентна техничка својства повезана са знањем и талентом. Захваљујући темељности, Sound Sculpt Interaktivni Muzički Sintisajzer заслужује поштовање и осмишљен је да пружи побољшања квалитета живота која помажу да свет буде бољи.

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.