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Case study

Industrial Design and Mechanical Concept Development for a High End Audio Remote

Barnaby Ward (Auckland) designed a premium remote concept for Orbitsound's D1, delivering tactile control, luxury materials, USB-C updates, and packaging.

Industrial Design and Mechanical Concept Development for a High End Audio Remote

The project

Project overview

A new frontier in remote audio control.

Orbitsound wanted to explore a high end remote concept to pair with the release of the D1 Loudspeaker. The challenge was to move beyond the typical plastic remote and create a premium audio control object that felt intuitive in use and desirable enough to live openly in the home.

The design process began with research into high end audio remotes, material cues, circular control interfaces, and ergonomic interaction. From there, I developed concept directions focused on instinctive operation, premium materiality, and a simple physical interface that made volume and audio control feel more tactile and deliberate.

A key part of the project was resolving the mechanical feel of the central control. I explored rotary encoder construction, central rotation points, weighted movement, bearings, and silicone grease to create the right tactile response. The concept also included bass and treble control, USB C software update functionality, and premium packaging that supported the product’s retail presentation.