Diploma by Peter Haas, Köln International School of Design – YOUNIQUE from Sebastian O-Ton on Vimeo.

Control.

Contemporary demands in the creation of novel musical instruments

Innovation within the realm of acoustic and electronic instruments has been at virtual standstill for 20 years. In reaction to the scarcity of truly groundbreaking products on the market today, this thesis aims to investigate, find, and compile contemporary demands – founded in technological and societal trends – for the development of musical instruments. The outcomes are then translated into a set of guiding concepts, which serve as a foundation, and act as a leveraging point for a holistic conceptual design that lives up to current needs and desires.

The resulting product, YOUNIQUE unites the guiding concepts of Characteristic Sounds, Accessibility, a Covetable Personality and Functionality. The instrument’s focal point lies in intuitively simple operation, and the facilitation of learning harmonies. Based on the principles of electronic sound generation, the product purposefully pulls away from the physical laws of building acoustic instruments. This breaks the conventional correlation between movement and sound, enabling unconventional chords and harmonies. Without any musical experience, beginners can experience nearly instantaneous success, playing rhythmic and harmonious tones they can concurrently internalize. Mimic recognition allows professional musicians and optimized interplay between man and instrument, thereby also an intensification of emotional expression in their music making.

For further information:

haas@kisd.de