Zikit Diameter Change Mechanism by Oz Shenhar

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

OS : Drummers are the only musicians that should be very creative in getting their music instrument to be versatile. In guitar, for example, there are millions of sound combinations. In a drum, there is only one single pitch. Zikit wanted to give drummers instrument a chameleon nature, to be able to change their music instrument according to the music they want to create.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

OS : There were some mechanical options to solve this problem. Still, only the one we chose could get as far, to be minimalistic, and give drummers this natural feel that nothing in their traditional music experience is changed.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

OS : My only goal from day one is trying to answer all the end-user needs.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

OS : about 3 years

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

OS : The drum industry almost stayed the same since the invention of the drum kit. Since I think that it is a very exciting instrument, I was wondering if this is a natural way, and drums are just so perfect and simple product, or is there a way to discover new abilities in the same traditional acoustic instrument.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

OS : Right now, I am happy to have both options. I just hope that this product will find its best way to the end-user.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

OS : I love the combination of design for a function and craft. There are many issues in music instruments that need to be considered since any decision will be "heard." There are many limitations in choosing the right solution, and I just love this process of reaching the perfect combination of great design and high-end instruments.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

OS : I must say that there were not so many innovations in the drum industry related to Zikit products. I am surrounded by some talented and creative minds, like my mechanical engineer Boaz Ken-Dror, which helped make this concept a reality.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

OS : Drummers!!!

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

OS : The closest concept to Zikit design is electronic drums. They also give versatility in the sound. I don't say that there is something wrong with electronic drums, only that we see that they got into a nitch of practicing. Most drummers need this natural feel of the acoustic drums, and Zikit gives them a versatility option in this natural acoustic tool.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

OS : Zikit, in my native language, is chameleon. I just wanted to give drummers the option to change their musical instruments according to what they want to play. This mission had to be achieved by getting under the drum skin :)

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

OS : The best design tool is getting some end-users to be experienced in the project.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

OS : I keep teling myself that there is nothing regarding to me in this project, it is all regarding the end-user.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

OS : I mentioned my mechanical designer Boaz Ken-Dror. I also got significant support from Dennis Chambers - one of the best drummers of all time.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

OS : Finally this is a simple product. There was a significant process to make it simple (and reliable). We use high end materials, that gives minimalistic definitions to Zikit Product.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

OS : We asked 30 drummers, from different styles what they think about our prototype, and this was our best research.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

OS : Woohoohoo, there were so many. Too heavy, mechanical parts that make nice while moving, mechanisms that block the natural sound, very uncomfortable installation.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

OS : We were back from a big conference, as a promising product for the industry, and just right after, COVID-19 started. We didn't want to hold and see what will happen, so we decided to approach other goals that we didn't have the time for. The A Design Award was definitely something we wanted to achieve.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

OS : I learned how to listen to the process and get the right decisions regarding all aspects, Design, mechanical abilities, limitations, abilities.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

OS : Yes. The design process is dynamic. We, as designers, should be flexible enough to hear the natural needs of the product design.