TC-01
DAC + AMP
Tactility in
Music Streaming.
The content flows horizontally → as you scroll down ↓
Consumer Tech + UX + Product
Today, 69% of people listen to music with
streaming services. Yet, at the same time,
vinyl revenues have grown for two decades,
pointing to a resurging desire for physical,
tangible listening experiences. In a world
where music has become increasingly digital,
we questioned:
How might we bring back tactility
while retaining the convenience of
modern music streaming?
TC-01 is a music device reconnecting
listeners with music through physical interaction,
amplifying the streaming experience with
a tactile interface and analog controls.
MUSIC PLAYBACK TIMELINE:
BACK AND FORTH
From phonograph to modern streaming,
we've developed a plentitude of features:
Play/Pause/Repeat/Shuffle/
Playlist/Radio/Lyrics/
Album Art/Listen Along/…
Yet the vinylhead, the audiophile,
and countless listeners still cling to
physical forms of music, willingly
sacrificing the convenience.
Does it have to be a trade-off?
Can these worlds be unified?
Following the key insights, with a focus on creating a form that
will decrease the stigma associated with health management
devices, concepts were developed to create a unique yet friendly
form that afforded intuitive interactions.
WAVEFORM: Visualize the audio waveform as three levels, with spinning strings showing different frequencies.
VALVE METER: Manipulate music parameters using spinning gauge clusters that adjust and react to the music.
DISC: Show the music’s flow with a spinning disc, and control playback by holding and moving the disc.
TICKET: Print and read tickets for songs, albums, and playlists—physical music copies to store, play, and exchange.
TAPE: Show the flow of music with a moving track; control playback by pressing and sliding the tape.
FINAL CONCEPT
A desktop device for individuals to
heighten their personal audio streaming experience.
A digital tape moves to show the waveform
and lyrics of the audio playing.
PROTOTYPING R1
Paper model test with minimal instructions: observe the user’s natural interaction.
PROTOTYPING R2
3D printed, mid-fidelity desktop model w/ interactive TD demo: validating concept and human factors.
PROTOTYPING R3
High-fidelity interactive physical mode: refine tactility, features, and control scheme.
PROTOTYPING R4
Fully interactive model with working buttons and ports: feature and function freeze.
USER FLOW
FEATURE
TACTILE PLAYBACK CONTROL
On the right side, physical buttons control Play/Pause, Volume, Skip, Shuffle/Repeat, and Favorites.
Their tactile feedback makes each action feel intentional, enhancing the overall user experience.
FEATURE
LAYERED LIBRARY NAVIGATION
At the top front, a Red Button and Scroll Track form the main interface, letting users easily move between tracks,
browse within playlists, or explore others. The scroll track enables smooth, screen-free navigation.
FEATURE
SEGMENTED I/O MANAGEMENT
On the rear, Power, Input, and Output buttons sit above each port, allowing users to switch between sources
and route audio to speakers and headphones. The
clear layout ensures setup and transitions are simple.
Procreate
TouchDesigner
Fusion
Keyshot
Figma
Teammate:
Cynthia Li
Winner of
2025 Bredendieck Awards
3 Months
Spring 2025
TC-01
Tactility in
music streaming.
Today, 69% of people listen to music with streaming services. Yet, at the same time, vinyl revenues have grown for two decades, pointing to a resurging desire for physical, tangible listening experiences. In a world where music has become increasingly digital, we questioned:
How might we bring back tactility while retaining the convenience of modern music streaming?
TC-01 is a music device reconnecting listeners with music through physical interaction, amplifying the streaming experience with a tactile interface and analog controls.
Collaborators:
Cynthia Li
Spring 2025
TC-01
Tactility in
music streaming.
Today, 69% of people listen to music with streaming services. Yet, at the same time, vinyl revenues have grown for two decades, pointing to a resurging desire for physical, tangible listening experiences. In a world where music has become increasingly digital, we questioned:
How might we bring back tactility while retaining the convenience of modern music streaming?
TC-01 is a music device reconnecting listeners with music through physical interaction, amplifying the streaming experience with a tactile interface and analog controls.