OFF WORLD - Immersive Gaming Headset

How the it answers the Colour In Design Award brief

The OFF-WORLD gaming headset uses colour to create a more immersive gaming experience, it features two Acrylic light panels which diffuse coloured light
into the user’s peripheral vision. For story-based games the light aims to match the colours on screen adding a second dimension to a traditional gaming
setup and making the story telling more immersive. Secondly for more competitive and fast paced gaming the colour of the light can be used to indicate in
game stats and danger, adding an additional input to the user and giving them an edge in competitive games. Three main pieces of research influenced
design direction of this product, firstly the current trend of Virtual/ augmented reality indicates that gaming is increasingly becoming a multi-sensory experi-
ence and in line with this the headset aims to sit within the middle of this market (the most basic been screen gaming and most advance been VR/AR), with
its subtle but effective use of colour. Furthermore, research into the artist James Turrell demonstrated how light and colour can be used to change a person’s
perspective of space by giving it power and life, in the product this same idea was used to change the user perception of their bedroom for example and
draw them into the narrative of the game. Finally, the trend of right to repair influenced the design and construction of the product, the ability to remove
the light panels and a discreet mic gives the headset a life outside of gaming as traditional headphones and construction was made a simple as possible to
increase repairability giving the product longevity. The OFF-WORLD Headset is sure to elevate any gaming experience with its use of colour and thought-out
design.
Versions and Details

Main features

- Game responsive lighting

- Wireless
- 45mm Dynamic driver
- Adaptable
- Repairable

Colour schemes

- Both colour schemes are inspired by Sci-fi Mov-

ies from the 1980s, the first been star wars and the
other Blade runner

- This aesthetic was chosen based on my target

markets favourite media and brands

Details

- The Left picture shows the discreet inbulit mic

- The right picture shows the adjustment mecha-

nism and cabling
Context

Aesthetics
- Sci-fi
- Monochrome
- Futuristic
- Plastic finishes

Function
- VR/AR
- James Turrell and the use of light in his art
- Right to repair

User
- Late 20s
- First time home buyer
- Gamer
- Technology geek
Main function - Responsive light

1. Mimic 2. Info 3. Alert

- light panels mimic the colour on screen
- This create a more immersive gaming experience
by surrounding the player in light which matchs the
on screen action
- light fades from green to red to inicate an in game - one side fades to red to alert the player to the di-
stat depleting rection of danger
- for example ammo running out or level of health
Secondary Functions

Adaptability Repairability
- the off world headphones feature a discreet mic and removeal light panels - With the amount of E-waste increasing and the increasing popularity of right
meaning they can be used outside of gaming to repair, the off world headphones are designed with repairability in mind.

- the durable aesthetics aid in adaptability by ensure they fit into any environ- - the use of clear ABS gives the user a view into the internals in order to see how
ment they are constructed. Therefore aiding with repair

- by joining plastic parts with snap fits, recycling and repair will be easier
Design Development
Sketching
- various headphone shapes, head
band shapes and headband mecha-
nisms were sketched out to create a
cohesive aesthetic and a well devel-
oped final design
Modelling
- Modelling in foam and cardboard was done in order to create the perfect
ergonomic shape for the head, as it is such a dynamic shape
- strips of acrylic with various levels of opacity were tested with a light to under-
stand how the light is diffused and what the optimal shape for the light panel
would be
- a final model was 3D printed in full scale, to ensure the proportions were cor-
rect
 Headband Manufacture

Outer plastic

- Cloudy grey ABS

- Injection moulded

Support Band

- Brushed Aluminium
- Die cut and pressed

Inner plastic

- Clear white ABS

- Injection moulded

Padding

- Leather covered foam

- Laser-cut and sewn

Arm

- Aluminium
- Die cast

Light diffuser support

- Aluminium and LEDS

- die-cast

Light diffuser

- Frosted acrylic
- Laser cut
 Headphone manufacture

Headphone pads Speaker Mount 45MM dynamic driver PCB and battery Main body

- Leather cover foam - Clear orange ABS - standard componet - controls lights, sound, mic - Orange clear ABS
- laser cut, sewed - injection mouled - outsourced manufacture - Injection moulded
- clips for construction