Banano is a portable speaker designed with the form of a banana as inspiration. I tried to provide a unique and fun user experience by emulating the familiar act of peeling a banana within this product in order to stimulate consumers' senses.

Design Team

Jarim Koo, designer

Introduction

There are thousands of different kinds of portable audio products in the world. Consumers are looking for products attuned to their values and idiosyncrasies rather than just focusing on high-quality sounds. A portable speaker is no longer merely a product through which people listen to music, it is device that provides music lovers with experiences beyond music.

Inspiration

Imagination is a very special capability we possess as humans. For example, at the moment when picturing a drop or two of lemon juice dripping on your tongue, your mouth might begin to water. Of course, such a conditioned reflex takes place in a range of experiences we already have. Likewise, all the sensory experiences we have are marked as memories in our brain. Then, what if one of these familiar experiences was reflected on a certain product in a totally different domain by using this brain mechanism? This is something Banano explores through its unique form.

Flexible Functionality and Usability

The peel-away front cover not only provides a memorable user experience, but also helps to protect the speaker grille from scratches, external impacts and even preventing foreign substances from coming into this speaker. Also, when the powerful magnet (neodymium magnet) pad on the tip of the cover is placed to the other side of the body where another powerful magnet is embedded, it can be easily hung anywhere. Especially when used outdoors, it provides flexible usability.

Simple Aesthetics

The surface of Banano is made out of silicone. By minimizing less-necessary functions and buttons and focusing on must-have functions, I was able to design this product as simply as possible. As a result, it can give neat and simple feelings and convey the image of it's motive more intuitively and emotionally. Moreover, the simple design and specific material choice provides an overall soft feeling while also providing easy usability.

Harmonious Functionality

This speaker is embedded with a subsidiary function of LED lighting, so it provides consumers with a chance to enjoy listening to music in a more comfortable mood in any dark place.