Voice Mask Device That Mutes Your Voice by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory Receives the Bronze A' Design Award in Social Design

Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory recognized for social design by the international grand jury of the 2021 - 2022 A' Design Award & Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMO, Italy, April 28, 2022 /DesignNewswire/ Voice Mask Device That Mutes Your Voice by Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory, designed for Innovation Laboratory, Inc., has been granted the Bronze A' Design Award in the Social Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The result belongs to the 2021 - 2022 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.

The Bronze A' Design Award Explained

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.

Regarding Voice Mask Device That Mutes Your Voice

Voice Mask is a concept wearable device that mutes what the user says aloud. Noise-cancelling technology is used to mask the voice by emitting the opposite sound wave. Voice Mask supports online meetings held in public places, such as a large office or a cafe. The device helps prevent the disclosure of confidential information and avoids disturbing other people nearby. In use, Voice Mask is worn around the neck and positioned to cover the mouth, in a manner similar to a harmonica holder. The foldable body is made by plastic injection molding and is easy to carry.

About Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory

Obtained a master’s degree in Construction Engineering from the Graduate School of Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology. Worked at the design firm NOSIGNER as a space designer and product designer after graduation. Engaged in the design of Mozilla Japan’s office spaces and the ACG Asahi Glass installation at Milan Design Week as well as a variety of other projects ranging from urban planning to traditional industries, regional activities, product development and corporate branding.

Award Record

This recognition makes Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory a winner of 1 A' Design Award.

About the A' Social Design Award

The A' Social Design Award is an international design competition recognizing excellence in social design by social impact designers and think-tanks worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to social designers, social brands, social manufacturers and social design professionals from all countries. Typical entries include community projects, social campaigns, public installations, educational programs, sustainable initiatives and healthcare solutions. The awarded social designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/social

About A' Design Award & Competition

Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com

Press Resources

Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/137061
A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/137061
Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!137061
Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/326489
Further Information from the Laureate: https://ilab-inc.jp

Media Contact

Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953

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Fact Sheet

The Work

Project: Voice Mask Device That Mutes Your Voice
Function: Device That Mutes Your Voice
Category: Social Design
Discipline: Communication Design
Industry: Social Impact
Colors: Silver, White Smoke, Black, Rosy Brown and Wheat
Images: 5
Client: Innovation Laboratory, Inc.

The Recognition

Laureate: Kunihiko Sato Innovation Laboratory
Country: Japan
Recognition: Bronze A' Design Award
Edition: 2021 - 2022
Design ID: #137061

Credits

Team: Kunihiko Sato Inventor & Researcher : Yukinobu Yokota, Hayato Shin
Image Credits: all Image Creator(Rendering Image) Kunihiko Sato, 2022.

Design Details

Unique Properties: Voice Mask is a concept wearable device that mutes whatever you say aloud while wearing it. It utilises noise-cancelling technology to mask the user's voice by emitting the opposite sound wave. Voice Mask can be used when participating in online meetings in a public space to avoid bothering others and to protect confidential information. When in use, the Voice Mask is worn around the neck and positioned to cover the user's mouth. As it is foldable, it is also easy to carry around.
Inspiration: In 2015, the team conducted research on the future of work in 2025. A future scenario was envisioned in which work from anywhere has become the norm. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the change. People can now work from the comfort of their home or their favourite cafe. However, this created a new problem: meetings at home or a cafe can disturb others and lead to unwanted information disclosure. The research insights led to Voice Mask patent registration and the subsequent concept design.
Research: In the process of applying for a patent for an idea, the inventors conducted interviews with acoustic experts (PhD students in audio technology) to verify the technical certainty. Their feedback was that although technically challenging, it was possible to cancel sounds that are diffusing into open space. This encouraged the inventors to go forward with filing for a patent. In the process of considering the design, the team created product renders and wearable prototypes using a 3D printer and conducted user interviews. A total number of 4 interviews with potential users were conducted.
Challenge: Another design challenge was figuring out the best solution for securing a heavy device around the mouth. We researched similar devices that already exist in the world, such as headphones and mouse shields to finally decide on a necklace-like design inspired by harmonica holders used while playing the guitar.
Realization and Technology: Plastic Injection Molding
Project Duration and Location: The idea was created in 2015. It was filed for a patent in Japan in 2016 and it was and successfully registered in 2018. The design of the product started in May 2021 and was completed in February 2022.
Specifications: W150mm x D50mm x H99mm (folded) W150mm x D98mm x H205mm (unfolded)
Keywords: Wearable Device, Product Design, Social Design, Invention, Mask, Covid-19, Home Office, Privacy, Headset, Microphone