For this project, we had to design the housing of a measuring instrument. We had to choose the context ourselves. We chose singing. Not karaoke as a party trick, but for people who genuinely want to improve their voice. The idea was to create a device that measures pitch, volume and tone in real time, and makes that feedback feel engaging rather than like a test. Soundquest is the result: a handheld instrument that turns vocal practice into something closer to a game, while still feeling at home in a music studio.
Research
We talked to musicians and brought early prototypes directly into recording studios to see how the product would fit into a real environment. That context mattered, a device used by serious singers needs to feel like it belongs alongside other equipment, not like a toy. Testing on location also helped us understand material and form choices better: what looks good in isolation doesn't always work in a studio setting.
The central challenge was making the hardware feel like it belongs in two worlds at once: a musical instrument, and something with the energy of a game. Too clinical and it loses its appeal or too playful and musicians won't take it seriously.
We explored multiple directions through sketching, physical foam models and CAD in SolidWorks. The screen interface was designed in Figma, showing live feedback on pitch, volume and tone with a scoring system that rewards consistency.
One detail I'm particularly proud of is the large round button on the front. It was inspired by the fabric-covered speakers I had as a kid, that satisfying, tactile quality that makes you want to press it. That feeling ended up shaping a lot of the product's character.
