We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer about their original and creative design work. is an award-winning creative designer, that makes our world a better place with their original works.
("") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work . Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
: Traveling with kids is seldom hassle free and served as inspiration to create headphones that withstand being crammed into backpacks in chaotic situations, offer a 3-volume setting of 75db, 85db and 94db to tackle noisy situation such as travelling by airplane, allowing parents to control the volume depending on environment. The In-Flight BuddyPhones are designed for little travellers to enjoy their trip, protect their hearing, share with buddies, and buy mom and dad a little peace and quiet.
: Our main focus was giving the parents control over how to use the product, depending on different environment. With a volume limiting circuitry that caps at 85db, as recommended by the WHO for kids, InFlight BuddyPhones offer a 3 volume setting of 75db, 85db and 94db, allowing parents to control the volume. While 94db is great for louder situations, 75db is viable for children with sensitive hearing, attention deficits and autism.
: We want to build the awareness for safe kids listening and as well finding right partners to bring our product to market. Third part is continue our journey of making the safest kids headphones on the market.
: The project started in June 2015 and finished in February 2016 in Hong Kong.
: BuddyPhones InFlight is the result of a pursuit of pure inspiration, which is travelling with kids and how we can make it easier.
: We do all our production ourselves through contract manufacturing, so everything is under the umbrella brand onanoff and name of Buddyphones
: We wanted to make travelling with your family a little bit easier and more enjoyable. Offering quality headphones for kids with a 3-volume setting of 75db, 85db and 94db to tackle noisy situation such as travelling by airplane, and allowing parents to control the volume depending on environment. We also wanted to design headphones that are sturdy and durable, so we created foldable headbands that are less likely to snap if they are sat on, dropped or twisted. Soft and flexible to withstand pulling yet sturdy enough to hold its shape.
: My amazing team at onanoff all had valuable input in the design process, as well as the kids who gave our prototypes a test run. Their feedback, as well as their parent's feedback was very important for us to make the best BuddyPhones InFlight we possibly could.
: Target customers are kids of all ages and parents who want to protect their children's delicate hearing, but still have the option of controlling the volume in different situations such as while travelling by air.
: After researching the market we realised there was a lack of high quality volume limiting headphones for kids that would a tackle noisy situation like airplanes. BuddyPhones InFlight offer a 3 volume setting of 75db, 85db and 94db, allowing parents to control the volume. While 94db is great for louder situations, 75db is viable for children with sensitive hearing, attention deficits and autism. Durable, comfortable with soft ear pads, two prong plug, foldable handles, and can be adjusted to fit. Four audio cables can connect to one device for sharing.
: BuddyPhones InFlight are all about sharing, safety and travelling. They are aptly named BuddyPhones as they are designed to be shared with you best buddy. Up to four buddies can share one device squabble-free, using the BuddyCable audio splitter. InFlight because their design allows you to tackle noisy situation such as travelling by airplane.
: Autocad, Illustrator, Photoshop.
: With a volume limiting circuitry that caps at 85db, as recommended by the WHO for kids, InFlight BuddyPhones offer a 3 volume setting of 75db, 85db and 94db, allowing parents to control the volume. While 94db is great for louder situations, 75db is viable for children with sensitive hearing, attention deficits and autism. Durable, comfortable with soft ear pads, two prong plug, foldable handles, and can be adjusted to fit. Four audio cables can connect to one device for sharing.
: After first testing we worked with acoustic experts and local audiologists to get the best safe quality sound as well mechanical engineers to make it robust enough and that the materials where safe. We worked as well with different parties to ensure the social compliance of our manufacturing partners.
: BuddyPhones are made from robust materials, ABS housing and headband made of specially calibrated polyproplene that bends. We designed them to be capped at 3 volume levels for different enviromental settings. To change volume we use a a child-proof twist resembling a medical bottle safety cap, that can be easily adjusted by an adult. A detachable cord provides less entanglement risk as it plugs out of the headphones if pulled. The BuddyCable allows up to 4 headphones to connect to one device.
: We researched the market and found a gap for kids headphones with volume control that would a tackle noisy situation like airplanes. There was a definite lack of high quality volume limiting headphones for kids out there that would work well on an airplane, which further fuelled our creation of the product.
: Achieving the durability we wanted and reach our standard of safety. After first testing we worked with acoustic experts and local audiologists to get the best quality sound. Based on feedback the PU cushioning was made anti-allergic for kids sensitive skin and bendy headbands less likely to snap if they are sat on, dropped or twisted. It took time to get the formula right, plastic had to be strong but not so brittle it would break. Soft and flexible to withstand pulling yet sturdy enough to hold its shape.
: We've put a lot of work and effort making BuddyPhones InFlight and so we were curious to see if their quality would be recognised by an international design competition.
: It was a long road to achieving the durability we wanted and reach our standard of safety. By keep working on it and not giving up, we learned there is always room for improvement.
: I think it's all been covered fairly well, thank you.
