'Portal One' by Zhenghao Huang: Innovation in Headphone

Portal One

Headphone for Zhenghao Huang

Portal One, more than just a pair headphones, is a distinctive device that communicates a user's need for focus through a specialized lighting display. This feature, displaying unique animated visuals, acts as a subtle communication method in shared work and study environments. The design ensures that the lighting is noticeable yet not distracting or overly bright, maintaining an appropriate balance for communal spaces.

Zhenghao Huang 2024 Academic Bronze Press Kit № 160071

Download Press Kit № 160071

Download Press Kit № 160071 Headphone for Zhenghao Huang by Zhenghao Huang to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

Available Now for Your Next Story

At innovation|newsroom, we understand the pressures and deadlines journalists face. That’s why we offer exclusive access to our curated press kits and high-resolution images, tailored for accredited journalists. These resources are designed to enrich your stories with depth and visual appeal, spotlighting the world's most innovative designs.

Please Note:

Credit the work's creator and/or photographer.
Mention innovation|newsroom as your source.
Share your published pieces with us; we love to celebrate and promote your work on our platform and social media.

Let’s Collaborate: Your stories matter. innovation|newsroom is here to support you with quality, accessible content. Once you are accredited, reach out for the images and content you need. We will provide the specific images and content directly, along with recommendations on works to feature.

Get Accredited Easily: Quick access to our resources requires media accreditation. Apply for media accreditation to join our network and start exploring a wealth of design stories.

Portal One by Zhenghao Huang

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Maximize the potential of this 1800-pixel image: at 300 DPI, it delivers exceptional detail up to 6 inches, while at 150 DPI, it offers clarity for prints up to 12 inches. Press accreditation unlocks high-res images without watermarks. Need something now? Download a low-res image instantly. Acknowledgements for photographs are in the Image Credits Section.

Headphone by Zhenghao Huang

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Leverage the high resolution of this 1800-pixel image for detailed, vibrant prints. At 300 DPI, it's ideal for up to 6 inches; at 150 DPI, it scales beautifully to 12 inches. Download watermark-free, high-res images with your press credentials, or opt for an immediate low-res download. Please check the Image Credits Section for photo acknowledgements.

Zhenghao Huang Portal One

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Maximize the potential of this 1800-pixel image: at 300 DPI, it delivers exceptional detail up to 6 inches, while at 150 DPI, it offers clarity for prints up to 12 inches. High-res, no watermark images await those with press accreditation. For instant access, download a low-res version. Image Credits Section holds all necessary photo accreditation details.

Zhenghao Huang Headphone

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

Utilize this 1800-pixel image at 300 DPI for sharp, detailed prints up to 6 inches. When your narrative requires larger images, deploying it at 150 DPI allows for clear, impactful visuals up to 12 inches. Accredited press members can download high-res images free of watermarks. Alternatively, low-res images are instantly available. Details on photo contributions are located in the Image Credits Section.

Portal One Headphone Press Releases

Press releases for Portal One are now accessible in these languages: English.

Portal One Headphone Media Articles

For immediate use: Portal One articles, available in languages such as Indonesian, English, Dutch, Spanish, German, French, Chinese (Mandarin), Turkish, Hindi, Russian, Korean, Arabic (Standard), Italian, Portuguese and Japanese, to enrich your content.

Unique Properties

Portal One is beyond a pair of headphones; it is a unique device designed to express a concentration signal through a lighting display. By lighting up in distinctive animated visuals, Portal One serves as a non-intrusive communication tool, signalling to others the wearer's need for focus, thereby avoiding disturbance in the work and study environment. The abstract pattern is noticeable without being distracting or overly bright, which is important in shared spaces.

Production Technology

Color psychology plays a pivotal role in this communication strategy. Shades of blue, purple, and green on the Portal One displays are chosen for their associations with tranquillity, focus, and creativity. Blue and green, in particular, foster a calming ambience conducive to productivity, while purple hints at creativity and insight. These colors not only convey the wearer's current state effectively but do so in a manner that's subtle and non-disruptive to the surrounding environment.

Design Challenge

How we let people understand the signal? Historically, we explored past uses of color and light in communication to create an intuitive signal. Socially, we conducted many user researches to ensure our design would be universally understood across different cultures, considering the varied interpretations of colors and light patterns. This approach helped us create a visual signal that resonated with a wide audience, bridging cultural differences effectively.

Project Duration

The project started in Dec 2023 in Pasadena, CA, US and finished in Feb 2024.

Operation Flow

An app on mobile phone could be used to activate the focus time mode that turns the light on as well as other basic functions. The rightside light panel functions as a touch control area, accepting swipe and tap guestures to control media. Long pressing will activate the focus time mode for a default duration of 1 hour. Portal One offer a unique solution for users looking to focus without interruptions. It also introduces a social code for the modern workplace. This focus Time feature fosters an environment of mutual respect and understanding. Ideal for open offices, studios, and more. By balancing individual focus with collaborative engagement, it promises to enhance workplace harmony, boost productivity, and reduce stress. Whether engaged in deep work or seeking privacy, Portal One users can maintain focus while implicitly communicating their status, paving the way for a more inclusive and respectful working environment.

Research

How can we express the concentration and do not disturb signal for the headphone users who demand it to others in an effective and gentle way? We studied existing practice of visuals and analysed why they are not suitable for the context of workspace by secondary research and interview. We studied color psychology and abstract visual communication to create the proposals of the visuals. We invited people who work in the office and studio environments to have a perception test of our proposals. Finally we came to the result: Abstract Visual Communication: Lights are a clear and non-verbal way to communicate. In a work or public environment, others can easily see the lights and understand that the user is concentrating and prefers not to be interrupted. Color Psychology: Blue, purple and green are often associated with calmness, focus, and creativity. These colors can subtly signal that the wearer is in a state of deep concentration. Moreover, those colors are more suitable for office etiquette. Dynamic light, Obvious Yet Non-Disruptive: Dynamic lights are more obvious than static ones, making it more likely that others will notice and respect the user's focus state. At the same time, the abstract pattern can be noticeable without being distracting or overly bright, which is important in shared spaces.

Inspiration

Globally, wearing headphones has become a universal signal for do not disturb and concentration, a non-verbal cue used by millions to communicate their need for focus and privacy. Despite this widespread understanding, it’s also common for people to communicate with each other while wearing headphones. Thus, the message often falls short of being clearly and effectively communicated, leading to confusion, and resulting interruptions in the context of open offices, studios and classrooms.

Image Credits

Zhenghao Huang Weiqi Sun

Project Overview

Portal One Headphone has been a Bronze winner in the Audio and Sound Equipment Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Zhenghao Huang was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Portal One Headphone.

Zhenghao Huang Press Releases

Journalists and media members can enrich their content with our press releases on Zhenghao Huang, available for free use. Press members can now immediately access 1 press releases.

Introducing Portal One: The Headphone Redefining Focus and Privacy

Portal One by Zhenghao Huang is a groundbreaking headphone design that communicates the wearer's need for focus through a unique lighting display, fostering a more respectful and productive work environment.

Zhenghao Huang Newsroom

Unlock a treasure trove of award-winning designs by accessing Zhenghao Huang Newsroom.

You are currently viewing Media Showcase № 160071. Explore Zhenghao Huang's newsroom for a complete collection of their award-winning work, including high-resolution images, interviews, and much more. You are now viewing the Media Showcase 160071 for Portal One. You will find further content in Newsroom 351006.