Skullcandy's first lifestyle driven headphone was designed by Eneri Abillar for Vapor Studio. The creation of the MMM headphone would initiate a new business strategy Skullcandy by selling its first ground up and highly designed product for the first time. Vapor Studio and I collaborated with DJ Legend and Mix Master Mike. I was the lead and sole designer on the headphone. In terms of design language, its space minimizing yolk and headband design was the first of its kind and set an ergonomic trend seen in most headphones today. The Mix Master Model has 3 patents to its name and is Skullcandy’s most expensive headphone to date.
DJ Legend and Mix Master Mike wearing the SKULLCANDY MMM HEADPHONE
After meeting with MMM, it became very clear he wanted his headphone to be inspired by robots. Specifically, Japanese robots from the 60's, 70's and 80's. This is a picture of a very famous Japanese robot named Tetsujin 28 from the 60's
After doing my own research, I dug up a very important robot from my past. This robot is from the 80's called Manzinger The Great. Just like all the Japanese robot aesthetic and story, these heroes reflect a futuristic Samurai. They represent guardians of the only culture to experience the ATOMIC BOMB and post apocalyptic events.
I drew this in hopes of putting all the visual inspiration into one image. It is of MIX MASTER MIKE as a robot using musical instruments as weapons and wearing headphones that integrate with the helmet. This drawing began the ideation process.
As a result of the robot illustration, MMM selected the helmet concept. But, because the concept was merely a sketch, a tighter version needed to be created. Through this process, I was able to make engineering decisions along with aesthetic solutions.
Once the concept drawings were done, I had to go straight into hand SCULPTING the model. Normally, a Solid Works file could not be generated after the drawing stage, but this form factor was so unique at the time that I had nothing to base any of my measurements on. I had to approach this headphone traditionally. The original model is very similar to the final production model. This is a very rare thing in todays product design.
These measurements for the technical drawing were taken directly from the hand made model. Very few adjustments were made in the final Solid Works file.
SIDE VIEW
FRONT VIEW
FOLDED VIEW
3/4 VIEW