Design Rationale

Why we did what we did

In our final solution, it was the user needs that guided us toward our design. We solved the problems workers face in a cube environment when listening to music. In addition, we also kept in mind a natural integration of the player into work. Most importantly, we wanted to keep the music as part of the background--a way to allow the user to emotionally connect with the music.

The iCube solves the problems when listening to a portable player or boombox at work. However, it keeps the best aspects of both. The iCube integrates well into the environment so that the chair can still function as a chair when the music player is not in use. A cubicle worker can use an id card to swipe in at any chair to listen to his or her music repository from anywhere in the company.

As students, we often listen to music from our laptops. Music is a way for us to remember the moments that we laughed, loved, cried, and fought. Through this connection, we explored not only the physical aspects of players, but also how music can bring us out of darkness.