LUCAS
LUCAS is a 2.5 way stereo speaker system designed for individuals with visual impairments, prioritizing a tactile, intuitive user experience for installation, navigation, and calibration.
Stereo Speaker System for Visual Impairments
user persona
LUCAS is a tribute to Solomon's father. who lost his sight during military service. For 30 years, sound has been his main connection to the world. Seeing his struggles with audio systems, Solomon created LUCAS, a design born from empathy and built for inclusivity.
ideation process
tactile cables
The final cable design features vertical textures to indicate positive terminals and horizontal textures for negative, allowing users to distinguish polarity through touch. Inspired by the intuitive design of 220-volt plugs, the connectors are shaped to guide correct insertion while ensuring tactile clarity and ease of use.
dial with identity
The dials were designed with distinct widths, heights, and tactile details to differentiate volume, bass, and treble controls. The number of controls was intentionally minimized to reduce confusion for individuals with visual impairments.
The track is positioned behind the speaker to prevent tripping hazards, enabling safe and intuitive interaction. The base allows the speaker to slide and rotate smoothly for easy adjustment.
base track for calibration
ergonomic grip
While the track system helped users adjust and calibrate speaker distance more easily, the speaker’s weight made handling difficult. In response to user feedback, Solomon designed a grip inspired by the ergonomics of camera handles, built for extreme conditions and comfortable to use from various angles and positions.
cmf
Solomon selected orange, colors proven to be highly visible for individuals with low vision, to highlight key interaction zones. These were contrasted with black to improve focus and orientation, similar to tactile paving on sidewalks. He chose leather for its warmth and tactile quality, ideal for users who rely on repeated touch for both navigation and sensory comfort.
