Mid-Fi Headphones
Balancing style with function.
ROLE
Product Designer
TIMELINE
4 weeks
Sep - Oct 2025
TEAM
Individual
TOOLS
Miro
Procreate
Cardboard
01. PROBLEM
Many headphones fail to balance aesthetics and functionality.
People remember moments with all their senses, so looking back on memories through a screen doesn’t feel as immersive.
02. RESEARCH
Looking at 10 competitors
The top 3 revealed key areas for improvement.
Creating a competitive landscape
Many headphones sacrifice looks for comfort. I saw an opportunity for headphones that are comfortable and functional, yet stylish.
Identifying design opportunities
Customizability: ability to personalize with add-ons
Comfort: fits different head sizes with cushion support
Portability: easy to store and transport
03. IDEATION
Exploring ideas with mind maps
Asking questions… many of them
Using “how might we” questions, I pinpointed problems with existing headphones, then built on them with “what if” questions to ideate relevant solutions.
Putting the ideas to paper
I sketched out my visions of different headphones, blending the brainstormed features into new ones.
I iterated my ideas again, nailing down the features I wanted to implement on my physical prototypes.
04. PROTOTYPING
Low-fidelity prototype
Utilizing cardboard, paper, hot glue, and an xacto knife, I created a low-fidelity prototype of my headphones.
Ear cushioning
Crumpled paper on ear cups.
Flexible headband
Scoring the cardboard to bend.
Foldable
Ear cups fold for easy transport.
Trying it on
Headband was flimsy, ear cups too narrow.
Medium-fidelity prototype
I improved upon my low-fidelity prototype to create an updated version with moving parts.
Comfortable
Cushions created with crumpled paper.
Sturdier headband
Gluing 2 pieces of cardboard together.
Customizable
Detachable magnetic decorations.
Portable
Foldable ear cups.
Adjustable
Extendable ear cups.
Trying it on (again)
Ear cups feel comfortable, wider, and deeper.
05. REFLECTION
New medium unlocked!
Creating tangible prototypes helped me envision functionality and feasibility at full scale, going beyond visual design sketches.
If I were to make a high-fidelity prototype…
I would take the life-sized dimensions of my prototype and model it in a CAD software, then 3D print the components and assemble it.