Mason Caradice Design
Final Concept
This is my final design. It houses the sennheiser HD25-ii. The product is made from a 3mm smoked grey polycarbonate. This materials enables the product to be as small in size as it possible can but still give the maximum protection that is needed to keep your headphones in working order and stopping you from spending more money on replacing or repairing your headphones. These factors are crucial to the design as the main improvements recevied through my survey was that headphone cases needed to be stronger, lighter , yet still small enough to fit in your bag easily without taking up to much room. The strength of the material lets me tick all these boxes off as the minimalist material is need for maximun protection. I believe This product is like no other i have seen on the market. It is stronger than all i have seen that are in similar size to this and it is also the first totally clear case i have seen while researching into the existing products.the smoked polycarbonate makes the product look very good and gives it a modern look with the smoked plastic as well as a hint of a retro look also. The design is just what i was looking for as it is minimal and simple design but still has a unique look and gives out maximum protection compared to most others. There is also a foam insert which is cutom fitting to the seinnheiser hd-25 ii which hold them in place stopping them from getting banged around in the case while on the move. The foam insert also changes the look on the outside of the case as you can see the foam through the smoked plastic which makes it look like the bottom is not clear and the top is, to see your headphones.
This is my final design. This shows the reallife look of the product but is actually a CAD model that simulates the overall look of the final concept. The foam insert is placed into the case to ensure that the headphones are secure into position so they can not move around while in transit so they do not get damaged. The manufacturing process is the same exact one as i used in the modelling except the case will be cut down to the correct size by a 5-axis cnc. The hinge and catch will be glued on to the case with methylene chloride which near enough weld the plastics together to ensure a solid connection. The foam insert will be manufactured by foam packaging specilist as they can provide the best foam and form for you needs. The foam will be cut using a cnc router or a cnc water jet cutter which will be working off a CAD model the foam will the be die cut to the shape it needs to insert into. A logo or emblem can alos be added with laser ethcing the foam. Overall i believe the product has a good design, i will look in place and appealing to djs and the audience while on set, in the studio or on the move. The case is a small as it can be which means it will fit into a carry case or carry bag that people in the music industry use when transporting their expensive and vital equiptment around. Again the case is so small in size but offers so much protection unlike the other on the market as the small one dont protect enough and the ones that do offer some protection are useually too big and bulky. The polycarbonate sheet on the final product will also be margaurd coated polycarbonte which has the same properties as normal polycarbonte except it makes the product scratch, abrasion and scuff resitant surface giving the product a glass like material and performance.
If the product was sucssefull at selling then i would consider desinging new cases for other headphones and maybe a universal case which fits a number of headphone but you just have to buy the correct foam insert in order for you headphones to get the full protection this case has to offer.
This product would retail for around £29/£30 if i was to make a fair profit. This is ideal as from the survey results 37% voted for a case costing around £20-£29 which is close to my estimation of the retail price.
