Living
with Sound
Samsung VL3, VL5 Design Story
Instead of owning music, Millennials enjoy
their tunes as a way of everyday life. They are not
confined to a particular time or space when
listening to music, and pursue a life that always
flows with their favorite melodies in the background.
What kind of audio would be most appropriate
for this generation? The VL Audio Series proposes
a new direction for audio design that incorporates
the lifestyles of the Millennial generation.
Sound
Everywhere
With the increased preference for open spaces,
the method of listening to music has changed as
well. Once limited to a single space, music now
permeates through our entire living spaces, and the
various experiences of sound in our everyday lives
have become richer than ever before. As a result,
audio quality has never been more important, and
the old fashioned expectation of where an audio
device should be placed has become obsolete.
The Samsung VL Audio Series grants users the
possibility of relishing their preferred sound and
music in any space. With its simple exterior that
naturally blends into any space or environment, the
VL Audio Series stays true to capturing ‘great sound
quality,’ which is the essence of an audio.
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Simple Exterior Form that Focuses on the Essence of Sound
Sound is created when magnets in an audio move
the vibration plates with magnetic force. In order
for vibration plates to move, there must be spare
space in between that consequently determines the
thickness of an audio’s exterior. The VL Audio Series
has a slimmer magnet and vibration plate to
showcase a more slender design, at the same time
securing great sound quality through
Anti-distortion technology*. On top of that, sound
control elements have been simplified and
unnecessary exterior decorations have been
eliminated so that users can wholly focus on the
primary and essential function of ‘sound’.* Anti-distortion technology: Technological
implementation that prevents sound distortions
or static noises. -
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Providing Ease of Installation
The posterior side of the VL Audio series has been
designed to minimize leftover space so that it can
be hung Right close to the wall. The cable length
has also been extended to 4 meters from the
previous 1.5~2 meter length in order for users to
freely install the audio without feeling hindered by
the location of the outlet. -
Design that Permeates through Space
The cables of electric devices often become a cause
for distraction in an environment. Both the audio
device itself and the cables of the VL Audio Series
comfortably blend into the space of users. The soft
fabric cables that come in a mixture of white and
light-gray can harmonize with any interior
regardless of where it is placed, whether it is on the
wall or on the floor. -
Control Your Product with the Jog Dial
The Jog Dial, which has been designed for those
who enjoy using analog audios, acts as a remote
that controls the audio in close proximity or in far
distance from the device. The Jog Dial inherits the
simple and slim design of the audio’s exterior body,
and fits in anywhere it is placed while maintaining
the look and feel of the audio. Since the dial itself
has magnetic properties, users can place the
Jog Dial on any magnetic surface to their liking for
comfortable use. -
UX Design
that Conducts
Space and Sound
The UX design of the VL Audio Series allows users to
easily control the audio in environments that limit
communication methods. The clear-cut control
interface that utilizes light, sound, and touch
introduces a way for users to act as a conductor of
both music and the space it occupies.
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LED Colors that Inspire Empathy with Users
A product should immediately respond to the
commands of its user. The VL Audio Series can
communicate the status of the audio to its users
through the RGB colored LED lights that are emitted
through the display. When either the audio device
of the Jog Dial requires independent attention, such
as requiring a battery recharge, the notifications will
come in individual colors. However for notifications
related to the interaction of the audio and the dial,
a single color will be on display to prevent any
confusion on the user’s end. -
-
Simple Features and Comfortable Interactions
Most audio users tend to only use a selected few
functions of the device rather than using a wide
array of functions. Being mindful of this user
analysis research, the VL Audio Series features just
the selected few major functions of an audio, which
are the play, pause, and skip functions. This
simplified group of functions is easily accessible
through the Jog Dial or on the metallic control
panel located on the top of the product. -
A Dial that Response to Touch and Sound
The Jog Dial is outfitted with just four functions that
are essential to users. A user’s intuitive interaction
with a device, such as pressing a button or turning
the dial, is paired with straightforward functions
that give users quick accessibility to their desired
functions. The Jog Dial also has voice recognition
capability through its embedded mic that users can
speak into and interact with the device through
voice commands. The VL Audio Series can connect
to other smart devices, and with the Jog Dial, users
can adjust volume or skip to the next track even
while the audio is paired with a smartphone.-
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CLICK
- Play / Pause
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ROTATE
- Volume Up / Down
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DOUBLE CLICK
- Skip
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LONG PRESS
- Voice Interaction
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Sound may be invisible, but it takes on many
appearances and spreads through every direction.
The VL Audio Series showcases a concise design, function,
and interaction that are unhindered by
unnecessary clutter or waste. This design is
the culmination of Samsung’s desire to fill our users’
spaces with only the pure richness of great sound.