HPMXR07

A generative AI-assisted music mixer that makes music creation more accessible while keeping the experience physical and hands-on.

Independent Project · 2024
Industrial Design · Creative Hardware
Concept Study

Overview

HPMXR07 combines a display, keyboard, speakers, and dedicated mixing controls into one device for AI-assisted music creation.

Users can define a musical direction, generate and refine a track, create its cover artwork, and transfer the finished result to another device or NFC card—all within one creative workflow.

Question

How can generative AI lower the barrier to music production without removing the pleasure and agency of making something by hand?

Observation

Traditional music production tools offer deep creative control, but often require knowledge of composition, software, and specialized equipment.

Prompt-based AI tools make music generation far more accessible, but the experience can become passive—type a request, wait, and receive a result.

This creates an opportunity between the two: using AI to make the starting point easier while keeping the user physically involved in shaping the music.

Reframing

HPMXR07 approaches AI as a creative starting point rather than the final creator.

AI helps establish the initial direction, while physical controls allow the user to continuously adjust, mix, and shape the result.

Composition, mixing, cover creation, and transfer are brought together into one continuous experience, allowing users to move between digital generation and physical interaction without changing tools.

Form & Interface Exploration

The interface was organized around a large display, compact keyboard, and dedicated physical controls for navigating and shaping the generated music.

Layout studies explored the relationship between the display, keys, knobs, directional controls, speakers, and performance inputs while keeping the overall device visually simple and approachable.

A slim horizontal architecture and restrained white-and-orange palette give the product a character that sits between professional music equipment and an everyday creative device.

Physical Study

A full-scale physical model was produced to evaluate the overall dimensions, control layout, and relationship between the device and the user.

The model was used primarily to check physical scale, proportions, and the accessibility of key interaction areas rather than to validate electronics or mechanical construction.

These observations were reflected in the final form and interface layout.

Resolution

The final concept guides the user through a simple creative flow: define a mood and musical direction, generate a starting point, shape the track through physical controls, and create accompanying cover artwork.

Finished music can then be transferred digitally or linked to an NFC card, giving the resulting track a small physical presence that can be kept or shared.

Reflection

HPMXR07 explores how generative AI could make music production more approachable without reducing creativity to a prompt-and-result experience.

By combining AI-assisted generation with tactile controls, the project proposes a creative relationship in which technology lowers the barrier to entry while the user remains actively involved in making decisions.

The project received the Silver Prize at the Korea Design Exhibition and an Honorable Mention at the Design Intelligence Award.

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HPMXR07 generative music mixer held and operated in an orange-lit scene
Close-up of hands operating the HPMXR07 controls and generative music interface
Front overview of the HPMXR07 mixer with keyboard, controls, speaker and display
Front and rear views showing the HPMXR07 controls, display and connection ports
Close-up of HPMXR07 mixing controls, speaker, keyboard and NFC media
Macro view of the HPMXR07 leather surface, metal frame, fastener and engraved rear label
Close-up of the HPMXR07 dials, mode controls, pads, keyboard and speaker grille
Front and rear edge details of HPMXR07 showing its charging switch, status lights and connection ports
Illustrated HPMXR07 workflow from setup and generation to cover creation and transfer
Exploded presentation of the HPMXR07 device, package, tray and charging cable
Early HPMXR interface sketch labeling the microphone, keyboard, controls and GUI
Hand sketches exploring HPMXR controls, keyboard details and housing construction
HPMXR form-factor layout research combining controls, keyboard and prompt display
Refined HPMXR control layout with keyboard, equalizer, dial and prompt display
HPMXR structural frame, speaker module and hardware component studies
HPMXR logo ideation and symbol development boards
HPMXR form model and control layout development renders
Final orange HPMXR symbol and wordmark
HPMXR package graphic layout with product views and brand details
HPMXR prototype scale and interaction evaluation using AR and a physical model
Assembled HPMXR appearance prototype documented during development
HPMXR07 receiving the Silver Prize at the Korea Design Exhibition
HPMXR project documentation presented through publication and exhibition