Laurence Veitch’s Audio Focus is an audio recording device, which utilises parallels in the cameras and photography of the 60’s and 70’s as a way of capturing cherished moments and evoking further appreciation of our surroundings. The product is aimed at anyone who might also be interested in snapshot photography for nostalgia’s sake and those who would care to deepen their experience of sound as a sensory input.
The purpose of the device is to heighten our appreciation of audio through the capturing of sentimental moments via the common grounds of photography. The concept was sparked from a deep interest in human perception, time and memory. Research was carried out on a range of participants to explore how people would record audio, what they would record and how they would reflect on their audio clips. The results showed that the participants were much more appreciative of what was going around them when they were recording a few audio clips each day. Each participant had clear themes present in the audio they recorded over two weeks (Travel, weather, family, etc). However, when listening back to the audio clips several weeks later, the participants were only interested in the recordings, which were personally significant. For example, recordings of fun times with friends or noises, which they felt represented an important time in their lives. This was where the connection with snapshot photography was made. A simple method of capturing appreciated present moments for reflection and recollection in the future.
Work on the physical form of the recording device first started with exploration into camera shapes and connections that could be made with audio recording. After an appropriate form was decided on, 10 further iterations were made to slowly and carefully develop the device into a form, which would epitomise its purpose and inspiration. Two microphones, which have an adjustable focus area between them, record in stereo. The result is a realistic sounding recording of which user has control. The body of the recorder has been constructed from layers of laser cut MDF then wrapped in durable ostrich leatherette. The top and bottom caps and the microphone housing are milled aluminium with a sandblasted matt finish. Both the leatherette and aluminium combine to give a quality look and feel, iconic to many cameras from 60’s and 70’s.
Laurence Veitch is a product designer keen on questioning human behaviour and everyday tasks by creating objects, which challenge the basis of our choices and actions. His interests lie in audio, philosophy and critical design. Interaction and response to form is a fascination of Laurence’s although he is always happy to explore other grounds.