Dinkum

Mobile Application for Tobias Kappeler Design

Dinkum is a spatial audio communication tool that allows users to immerse themselves in customizable audio environments that facilitate remote conversations with high conversation fluency and a sense of presence to other people in the conversation. Users can select from three room sizes (intimate, casual, adventurous) and different ambisonic (full-sphere surround sound format) background sounds that match the type of conversation and people they are speaking to. Users can change their distance from other participants to enhance the conversation and make them more natural.

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Download Press Kit № 127093 Mobile Application for Tobias Kappeler Design by Tobias Kappeler to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Dinkum by Tobias Kappeler

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Mobile Application by Tobias Kappeler

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Tobias Kappeler Dinkum

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Tobias Kappeler Mobile Application

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Tobias Kappeler Interview

Available for Journalists: An in-depth interview with Tobias Kappeler, around 483 words, ready for complimentary use in your articles. Download it today. Access Tobias Kappeler Interview Now.

Dinkum Mobile Application Press Releases

Our Dinkum press releases are ready in languages: English, for your convenience.

Dinkum Mobile Application Media Articles

We provide articles ready for publication on Dinkum, offered in several languages: Spanish, English, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), Turkish, Arabic (Standard), Hindi, Indonesian and Dutch.

Unique Properties

Dinkum is a spatial audio communication tool that allows users to immerse themselves in customisable audio environments. Users can select from three room sizes (intimate, casual, adventurous) and different ambisonic (full-sphere surround sound format) background sounds that match the type of conversation and people they are speaking to. People can change their distance to other participants throughout the conversation, which adds an extra layer of interaction to remote conversations. Dinkum can increase participants sense of presence and intimacy in the conversation and increase conversation fluency.

Tags

Communication, Spatial Audio, Interaction design, Immersive experiences, Audio & Sound, Mobile application, Teleconferencing, Conversations,

Production Technology

The project was developed through iterative prototyping, intensive user testing and a strong collaboration between academia and industry. I used different plugins for the spatialisation of mono audio files in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) and tested the experiences with different people. Furthermore, I built a binaural microphone for in-depth user testing with multiple people. I established a signal-processing path that allowed me to test with various users while being remote.

Design Challenge

The challenge was to create an environment that allowed me to test with the necessary fidelity and change the audio in real-time. An additional challenge was the visual representation of a 3D space with characters on a small smartphone screen which is easy to understand, interact with and is visually pleasing and unique. I overcame this through prototyping the interactions on the phone while affecting the audio and visual interface in real-time through OSC protocol and user feedback.

Project Duration

The project started in January 2021 and was developed by myself for my MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering until June 2021. The project will be exhibited at the yearly graduation show of the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London in June 2021.

Operation Flow

To start a conversation, select the participants you want to speak to, select the room size which matches your conversations and participants, (Intimate, Casual, Adventurous) select the ambisonic background sounds and then start the call. Users can leave the room and create a new room during the conversations with individual participants. For recurring conversations, users can save groups and settings. In case a conversation drastically changes the topic.

Research

The project started with an academic literature review and interviews on real-time spatialisation technologies. After intensive ideation on different applications, I moved into early experimentation and prototyping to get a better feel and understanding of the technology and its value. I used an iterative and human-centred design approach focusing on the experience. Experiments were analyzed with questionnaires with a Likert scale focusing on the presence and intimacy.

Inspiration

Throughout the pandemic, I realised the difficulties of remote collaboration and the lack of attention to the audio side of the experience. We are flooded with visual stimuli but a lot of these experiences lack the emotional aspect of the experience. User research and secondary research into spatial audio technologies strongly informed the development. As a music producer and DJ, I’m fascinated by the emotional characteristics of audio.

Project Overview

Dinkum Mobile Application has been a Iron winner in the Mobile Technologies, Applications and Software Design award category in the year 2021 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Image Credits

For design images and photos please credit Tobias Kappeler.

Iron Recognition

Tobias Kappeler was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2022, a testament to excellence of their work Dinkum Mobile Application.

Tobias Kappeler Press Releases

Journalists and media members can enrich their content with our press releases on Tobias Kappeler, available for free use. 2 press releases are now available for immediate access by journalists.

Dinkum: A Spatial Audio Communication Tool for Immersive Remote Conversations

Introducing Dinkum, a spatial audio communication tool designed by Tobias Kappeler, offering immersive remote conversations with high conversation fluency and a sense of presence.

Tobias Kappeler Newsroom

Tobias Kappeler Newsroom is your gateway to exploring acclaimed design and award-winning works.