Christina Booth
Industrial Design
An empathetic, user oriented designer exploring the intersection between design, technology and people.
Final year project
Icho - Guitar effects tools reimagined
Icho - Guitar effects tools reimagined
Icho is a modular, guitar effects tool designed to remove the barriers to creativity existing in current, overly complex guitar effects setups. As a guitarist myself, I am all too familiar with the problems surrounding the world of guitar effects. With confusing terminology, complex setups and endless options to choose from, building a pedalboard takes a huge investment of time and money and can be very overwhelming for a beginner. Icho takes a simplified, modular approach, allowing anyone to dip their toes into the exciting world effects with a product made to be highly usable, rather than elitist.
For the everyday guitarist
My research into today's landscape of guitar players showed humble aspirations, reflecting my own enjoyment of guitar as a hobby and creative outlet. I wanted my product to not disrupt the user's creative flow and instead to be a tool which allows them to stay in the zone, maximising the possibilities of using effects for the everyday guitarist. The modular approach and limited controls simplify the process to just a few actions and allow the user to quickly build and experiment with their sound without being intimidated by countless dials.
User centred approach
Current innovations in the world of multi-effects pedals show an ever-expanding array of features with huge interfaces full of dials and displays. I enjoyed experimenting with building a stripped back, highly simplified and understandable user experience. This allows the user to quickly understand how different effects work and enhance their sound, without having to overcome the hurdles created by an elaborate system.
Tipple - Smart drinks serving
Tipple is a smart drinks server, designed as part of a week-long design challenge based on helping people take control of their physical health. My project was aimed at transforming the at-home drinking experience with a focus on giving the users awareness and control over their drinking habits. The product encourages use by creating a premium drinks preparation experience, with automated stirring and cooling of drinks, dispensing perfectly chilled drinks into the user's glass.
At the heart of the party
Designed to be at the heart of the party, the tipple is a centrepiece which attracts us. Live Feedback is displayed on the alcohol content and nutritional value of the drink with the use of inbuilt biochemical sensors and can be stored for the individual with the use of the fingerprint sensor, linking it to the app. This creates a virtual "memory" of the user's drinking habits.
Bringing awareness to alcohol consumption
My research focused on the drinking habits of 20-30-year-olds and how these are pivotal years in defining drinking habits later in life. Tipple aims to bring awareness to persons drinking habits while being unobtrusive and an asset to a party. I really enjoyed this short project due to its relevance to university life, with a focus on improving an unhealthy and even dangerous part of culture today.
Christina Booth
Final year project
Icho - Guitar effects tools reimagined
Work Experience
I had the privilege of spending my placement year at theUp.co, a technology startup based in London where I took on the role of a Creative Designer. I found this role hugely rewarding, taking on lots of responsibility in the company and feeling truly part of a team getting a new product off the ground. I was able to use my design skills in a very practical and proactive way, directly seeing the power of design in developing, promoting and selling a product.