{"id":21270,"date":"2026-10-14T10:39:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T02:39:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/?page_id=21270"},"modified":"2026-10-20T19:43:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T11:43:39","slug":"consumer-electronics-2027","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/projects\/consumer-electronics-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Consumer Electronics Studio (2027)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2>\n\t\t\tNext-Generation Consumer Electronics: Designing Seamless Everyday Experiences\t<\/h2>\n\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/10\/Consumer-electronics-2027-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Consumer electronics have become an integral part of our everyday lives, shaping how we work, learn, play, and rest. As emerging technologies enable increasingly sophisticated and interconnected products, new opportunities arise to rethink how electronic devices can better respond to evolving human needs, behaviours, and lifestyles.<\/p>\n<p>In collaboration with a major consumer electronics company, this project-based studio challenges students to explore and reimagine new experiences powered by the next generation of consumer electronic products through a human-centered and interdisciplinary design approach. Rather than starting with predetermined product solutions, students will investigate real-world challenges, uncover unmet user needs and identify meaningful opportunities for innovation across everyday activities such as sports, music learning, personal well-being, and the use of interconnected devices.<\/p>\n<p>Through user research, problem framing and iterative design exploration, students will develop their own design requirements and investigate alternative product concepts and interaction approaches. The studio encourages students to critically examine how emerging technologies, industrial design, human factors, materials, and user experiences can be thoughtfully integrated to create innovative and desirable consumer products.<\/p>\n<p>Working through cycles of ideation, prototyping, experimentation, and user evaluation, students will translate their insights into tangible design solutions that balance <strong>human desirability, technological feasibility, practical usability, and sustainability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The studio aims to develop students&#8217; ability to not only design innovative consumer electronics, but also to <strong>identify meaningful problems, challenge assumptions, and make informed design decisions<\/strong>, preparing them to address complex and evolving challenges in consumer product innovation.<\/p>\n<h4>Project supervisors:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Dr Yen Shih Cheng (<a href=\"mailto:sc.yen@nus.edu.sg\">sc.yen@nus.edu.sg<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>Mr Graham Zhu Hongjiao (<a href=\"mailto:graham.zhu@nus.edu.sg\">graham.zhu@nus.edu.sg<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Studio timeslot in Semester 2 AY2026\/2027:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Wednesday 9 am to 12 pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\n\t\t\tProjects offered for CDE3301 in 2027\t<\/h3>\n\t<h4>1. Enhancing the Running Experience Through Consumer Electronics<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Background <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sports and physical activities play an important role in people&#8217;s everyday lives, encompassing a wide range of recreational, competitive and fitness-oriented pursuits. Athletes and sports enthusiasts often rely on various electronic devices, such as smartphones, wearable trackers and audio accessories, to access performance information, navigation, communication and other forms of support during their activities.<\/p>\n<p>However, interacting with these devices while engaging in physical activities can present challenges. Accessing information may require users to divert their attention, interrupt their movements or operate devices with their hands, potentially affecting convenience, performance and safety. Different sports and activity environments also introduce distinct requirements related to physical movement, environmental conditions, comfort and situational awareness. Advances in consumer electronics, wearable sensing and interactive technologies offer opportunities to rethink how digital information and assistance can be seamlessly integrated into sports experiences. There is potential to explore innovative products and interaction approaches that better respond to the diverse needs of sports enthusiasts while minimising disruption to their natural activities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Challenge <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How might we leverage emerging consumer technologies to enhance sports experiences by providing intuitive, accessible and context-appropriate support for athletes and sports enthusiasts?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Investigate the behaviours, motivations, challenges and unmet needs of athletes and sports enthusiasts across different sporting activities and environments.<\/li>\n<li>Identify and define meaningful design opportunities to enhance performance, convenience, safety or overall user experience during sports and physical activities.<\/li>\n<li>Explore innovative product concepts and interaction approaches that enable intuitive and seamless access to relevant information and assistance.<\/li>\n<li>Develop and evaluate solutions that balance usability, ergonomics, technological feasibility and user experience within the selected sporting context.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Potential Technology Directions and Design Considerations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>XR glasses, wearable sensing, hands-free interaction, real-time information display, audio and haptic feedback, navigation and communication support, ergonomic considerations, environmental adaptability and situational awareness.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/10\/Consumer-electronics-2027-2-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n\t<h4>2. Reimagining Musical Instrument Learning Through Consumer Electronics<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Background<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Learning to play a musical instrument involves developing a combination of physical coordination, sensory awareness, cognitive understanding and consistent practice. For beginners, coordinating hand movements, interpreting musical notation, maintaining rhythm and recognising mistakes can present significant challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Conventional learning approaches often rely on teachers, printed materials, instructional videos and digital applications. While these resources provide valuable guidance, learners may still experience difficulties in translating instructions into physical actions, receiving timely feedback and maintaining engagement during independent practice.<\/p>\n<p>Emerging consumer technologies offer opportunities to rethink how learners interact with musical instruments, access guidance and receive feedback. There is potential to develop more intuitive and engaging learning experiences that complement natural playing behaviours and support the development of musical skills.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How might emerging consumer technologies make learning and practicing musical instruments more intuitive, engaging and effective?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Objectives <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Investigate the behaviours, challenges and learning needs of beginner musicians.<\/li>\n<li>Identify opportunities to improve instrument learning, practice and feedback experiences.<\/li>\n<li>Explore innovative product and interaction approaches that support skill development and learner engagement.<\/li>\n<li>Develop and evaluate a solution that integrates naturally with the musician&#8217;s learning process and physical interaction with the instrument.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Potential Technology Directions and Design Considerations <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Augmented reality, XR glasses, wearable sensing, haptic guidance, visual feedback, interaction with musical instruments and learning interfaces.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/10\/Consumer-electronics-2027-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2114\" height=\"1152\" \/><\/p>\n\t<p><strong>3. Reimagining Integrated Consumer Electronics Ecosystems<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Background <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As consumer electronics become increasingly interconnected, users often rely on multiple devices and accessories to support their everyday activities. Products such as smart glasses, wristbands and other personal electronic devices may offer complementary functionalities, but managing them as a cohesive system can introduce new challenges.<\/p>\n<p>The need to carry, protect, store and charge multiple devices can create inconvenience and complexity in daily routines. Differences in product form factors, charging interfaces, storage requirements and usage patterns may also affect the overall user experience. Beyond functionality, the physical design, materials and interactions of these products play an important role in shaping users&#8217; perceptions of convenience, quality and product identity.<\/p>\n<p>Advances in charging technologies, materials and product integration offer opportunities to rethink how multiple consumer electronic devices and their accessories can work together more seamlessly. There is potential to explore innovative product configurations, interaction mechanisms and design approaches that simplify everyday use while creating a more cohesive and desirable product experience.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Challenge <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How might we design innovative and integrated solutions that simplify the carrying, storage, charging and everyday use of multiple consumer electronic devices?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Investigate users&#8217; behaviours, routines and challenges associated with managing multiple consumer electronic devices and their accessories.<\/li>\n<li>Identify and define opportunities to improve convenience, portability, protection, charging and overall product integration.<\/li>\n<li>Explore innovative product configurations, physical forms, materials and interaction mechanisms that enhance the user experience.<\/li>\n<li>Develop and evaluate solutions that balance usability, ergonomics, aesthetic quality, technological feasibility and practical implementation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Potential Technology Directions and Design Considerations<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Integrated charging and storage solutions, magnetic docking and alignment, compact and portable product architectures, intuitive physical interactions, charging-status communication, material and CMF innovation, and cohesive product-family design.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/10\/Consumer-electronics-2027-4-767x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"767\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/p>\n\t<h4>4. Reimagining Personal Audio for Better Sleep<\/h4>\n<p><strong>Background <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Quality sleep plays an important role in everyday well-being, yet many people experience disruptions caused by environmental noise, shared sleeping environments, travel and irregular schedules. Personal audio and noise-management products offer ways to create more comfortable sleeping conditions, but their use over extended periods introduces distinctive challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike conventional audio products designed primarily for active use, sleep-oriented products must accommodate prolonged contact with the body, different sleeping positions and individual preferences. Factors such as physical pressure, product size, hygiene, durability, maintenance and ease of use can significantly influence the overall experience.<\/p>\n<p>Advances in miniature electronics, materials and product architecture present opportunities to reconsider how personal audio solutions are designed for sleep. At the same time, the relationship between product longevity, replaceable components, hygiene and environmental sustainability warrants further exploration. There is an opportunity to investigate alternative product forms, materials and system configurations that better address the physical and practical needs of users during sleep.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Design Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>How might we design next-generation personal audio solutions that improve sleep comfort, convenience and hygiene while addressing long-term usability and sustainability?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Investigate users&#8217; sleeping habits, environments and challenges associated with personal audio and noise management.<\/li>\n<li>Identify and define design requirements related to comfort, usability, hygiene and product lifecycle.<\/li>\n<li>Explore alternative product forms, materials, architectures and maintenance or replacement strategies.<\/li>\n<li>Develop and evaluate innovative solutions against user-centered performance criteria and practical feasibility considerations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Potential Technology Directions and Design Considerations <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ultra-compact audio devices, ergonomic ear interfaces, distributed electronics, reusable and replaceable components, alternative materials, hygiene and product lifecycle strategies.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/10\/Consumer-electronics-2027-5-1024x414.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"414\" \/><\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Next-Generation Consumer Electronics: Designing Seamless Everyday Experiences Consumer electronics have become an integral part of our everyday lives, shaping how we work, learn, play, and rest. As emerging technologies enable increasingly sophisticated and interconnected products, new opportunities arise to rethink how electronic devices can better respond to evolving human needs, behaviours, and lifestyles. In collaboration [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":171,"featured_media":0,"parent":4674,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rs_blank_template":"","rs_page_bg_color":"","slide_template_v7":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-21270","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21270","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/171"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21270"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21270\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21358,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21270\/revisions\/21358"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cde.nus.edu.sg\/edic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21270"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}