Nu Sound

The Intimate Sound of Excellence

Project Overview

NuSound: Seijaku is a speaker system concept that fuses acoustic performance with sustainable design principles to create a refined, future-forward audio object. Named after the Japanese word Seijaku, meaning “stillness” or “serenity,” the speaker embodies a calm, quiet presence while delivering a rich and immersive sound experience.

This project challenges the conventions of consumer audio by placing sustainability, craftsmanship, and zero-waste processes at the heart of the design. NuSound explores how biomaterials and clean fabrication techniques can coexist with premium design and audio fidelity.

Materiality & Fabrication

NuSound is composed of three primary materials:

  • Made of Air (MOA) Composite Panels – A carbon-negative bio-based material that reduces the product’s overall environmental impact.

  • Grapeseed Leather – A vegan leather alternative made from wine industry waste. This circular material is used as a sound-diffusing mesh, giving the product both performance and character.

  • ABS Plastic – Used for injection-molded internal parts for durability, tight tolerances, and a crisp finish.

The speaker is laser-cut and assembled with minimal adhesives, ensuring tight tolerances and structural integrity. The fabrication process emphasizes material efficiency, zero waste, and scalable production while maintaining artisanal quality.

User Experience & Brand Vision

NuSound is designed for users who value quiet excellence—those who seek a mindful listening experience and resonate with ethical design. It’s ideal for environmentally conscious consumers who appreciate high-performance, beautifully crafted products without compromising their values.

The project also includes future scalability, with plans to expand into earbuds, home goods, and multi-speaker systems, all adhering to the same sustainable and design-first philosophy.

  • With an estimated cost of $150 per unit and a projected retail price of $450, NuSound balances premium market positioning with cost-effective production. Manufacturing strategies—including optimization of sheet use and part nesting—support small-batch or scalable output with minimal waste.

  • Forward-facing speaker orientation for focused sound projection.

    Power switch, Bluetooth pairing button, LED indicators, and volume controls are seamlessly integrated.

  • Designed for compact living spaces, desks, and shelves.

    The form factor allows for material expression without visual clutter, emphasizing minimal user interaction and clarity.

NuSound - Seijaku is the intimate sound of excellence—where sustainable craftsmanship meets quiet, refined audio.

Process Book

-

Process Book -

The journey behind NuSound: Seijaku was rooted in exploration, iteration, and a deep respect for material and form. From early ideation to final fabrication, this speaker was developed through a hands-on, research-driven process that prioritized sustainability, craft, and clarity of experience.

Combining laser-cut carbon-negative composites, vegan grapeseed leather, and precision-molded components, the project embraced low-waste methods while preserving a premium, tactile quality. Each decision—from modular part nesting to the fine-tuned sound diffusion pattern—was guided by a desire to create something that felt both modern and meaningful.

This process book captures the evolution of NuSound, offering a look behind the scenes at the sketches, tests, challenges, and discoveries that brought the final product to life.

The Team

Louis Renault

Industrial Designer

Aref Zebian

Industrial Designer