MOSAIC : Recorder
Perhaps like every (eventually defeated) designer, I dream of a modular world, connected vertically, horizontally, x, y and z. While retaining the old giant form of old machines, that were rather rudely closed systems, I wanted to introduce this element. There is such a satisfaction in truly well organised modularity, matching the rounding of corners, fonts, buffer areas. These things aligning are alike a symphony in the visual world.
“Recorder” combined both modularity and tactility. In 2D form, I designed it with the intention of having moveable arms, for recording the most important sound of all: Conversation. Two arms, two levels, two people. Buttons were originally going to take the form of a cassette tape type of button. However for more functions and a streamlined design language for the greater MOSAIC collection, pill shaped buttons took the preference.
Having PONDER built into the design and form was a no-brainer, making it fit to the device and magnetically snap was the ultimate satisfaction. Without PONDER, the recorder does everything, stores all the information and functions as it should, transcribing, recording and saving all it’s data locally. However with PONDER, it allows you to have live transcription, viewable to see, more settings to access and generally a very fun package.
When we design the philosophy from the ground up, we inform the user even just by shape on how to be. We are encouraged to design to drive interaction, to boost engagement and keep users entrapped in a cycle made to mimic their own personality back to themselves.
Mindfulness in today’s design should really be saying “no”. We are permitted to inform the user by design to break away, to take time, to actively think, to lead with prompting and inputting.
