回声鹤 - Harrison Zhang

Echo Crane

A smart wearable device powered by sound-based emotion recognition, designed to help people rebuild genuine emotional resonance and a sense of social belonging in the digital age.

August 2023｜Kuala Lumpur · Malaysia

Introduction｜

In an era where digital media increasingly mediates our social lives, authentic emotional resonance between individuals is gradually being replaced by algorithms and interfaces. Echo Crane is a wearable intelligent device that integrates emotional sensing, sound journaling, and social interaction. By leveraging sound-based emotion recognition and immersive interaction design, it helps users reconnect with overlooked feelings and rediscover subtle signals of resonance between self and others.

This project addresses the growing issues of emotional disconnection and identity drift in contemporary social interactions. By using sound as a medium, it seeks to bridge people across different cultures, contexts, and emotional states — creating a safer and more authentic space for expression, connection, and coexistence.

Echo Crane is more than just a product — it is a social design proposition that explores resonance and reawakens perception. I believe that even amidst the seemingly cold tide of digital life, the human sound can still be the gentlest form of response.

Design Key Words｜Sound Resonance / Wearable Interaction / Digital Emotional Connectivity / Social Belonging / Identity Perception / Emotion-Driven Experience / Social Wellbeing / Speculative Futures

Project Background｜

As digital socialization becomes increasingly dominant, people are more and more guided by algorithms in how they express themselves, with identities shaped by platform logic, sound fading into noise, and emotions flattened into reactions. In such a landscape, genuine human resonance is becoming rare. Especially within multicultural environments, the instability of identity and the hesitation to express often lead to deeper loneliness and social fatigue.

Echo Crane seeks to respond to this reality by using "sound" as an entry point, exploring how we might create a softer, more authentic form of connection in a data-driven world.

Through research, we identified three levels of interpersonal resonance, which became the foundation for shaping Echo Crane’s sound-based interaction logic:

Core concept｜

I believe that everyone’s sound deserves to be heard — not just for what is said, but for the emotion, the state of being, and the presence it carries.

The three core principles of Echo Crane:

Using sound as a medium for emotional connection
Sensing and responding to users’ states through intelligent interaction
Building subtle yet genuine resonance between people

Extended Interpretation:

Echo Crane is not merely a standalone product — it is a sound-driven social system. Rooted in auditory habits and perceptual responses, it creates a soft, flexible channel between the unfamiliar and the familiar through voice recognition technology and human-computer collaboration.
The relationship between user and device is dynamically co-constructed, where sound becomes more than just a medium of communication — it becomes an emotional agent of identification, awakening, and connection.
This design philosophy begins with "the act of listening" and seeks to build an interactive ecosystem that is perceptive, responsive, and capable of generating meaningful relationships.

User Research｜

Through questionnaires, sound diary, sound test, and resonance interviews, I uncovered the following key experiential differences:

Key User Insights:

“Expression anxiety” is the biggest barrier to emotional resonance: Most users tend to revise or delete what they want to say, fearing misinterpretation.
Sound is the ideal entry point for emotional connection: It needs no translation and better conveys states and feelings.
People struggle to initiate connection, but deeply long to be acknowledged: Resonance is often easier than conversation when it comes to triggering emotional bonds.

Note: To protect participants' privacy, no real personal photos are shown on this site. Instead, we focus on presenting key interview quotes and insight summaries.

Persona｜

Sound Diary｜

Concept Evolution｜

Echo Crane went through several key stages in its conceptual development:

Sound as the starting point: Based on research suggesting that sound conveys emotion more effectively than language, the project established sound collection as its primary input channel.
Sensing and feedback mechanisms: Paired with a wearable device, the system captures users' emotional fluctuations and delivers real-time feedback through vibration or sound-based resonance.
Service structure construction: Through collaboration between the app and the wearable sensor, the system forms a closed-loop social experience of listening → perceiving → resonating → responding.
Open structure and value embodiment: The system emphasizes openness, freedom, and respect, granting users full agency to choose when to listen, respond, or remain silent.
Focus on emotional values: The design is rooted in core emotional needs — a sense of safety, recognition, and reduced social anxiety — forming the ethical foundation of the experience.

Service Flow｜

This section illustrates the complete user journey with Echo Crane — from device setup and sound collection to daily resonance triggers and sound sharing.

Key Highlights:

Users begin by selecting sound tags during registration. Based on these tags, the AI recommends relevant sound content, gradually forming a personalized sound resonance profile.
The wearable sensor detects contextual cues such as location and ambient sound, and automatically suggests resonance matches. Users can choose to respond or initiate sound sharing.
The process emphasizes user control and emotional respect, creating an open yet safe environment for social connection.

Prototyping｜

Device Form Design: Echo Crane is a portable, clip-on wearable inspired by the form of an origami crane — symbolizing gentle communication and resonant signals.

The design process includes:

Hand-drawn product sketches exploring the integration of sound collection and wearable interaction.
Prototyping of various origami-inspired forms, including magnetic structures and interchangeable wings for personalized expression.
Physical model testing to ensure ergonomic fit around the neck and effective transmission of resonance feedback.

Product Renderings｜

Echo Crane – Smart Wearable Clip Features:

Echo Crane is a smart wearable clip designed with a foldable structure, inspired by the form of an origami crane- symbolizing gentle transmission and emotional resonance.
The magnetic, interchangeable wings allow users to customize the device according to their preferences, enhancing both personalization and playfulness in wearability.
The device features intelligent sensing, providing subtle light and vibration feedback based on users’ emotional resonance states, creating a soft and responsive social atmosphere.

Interaction Modes:

Real-time resonance alerts: When emotional states align between users, the device responds with a soft glow or vibration cue.
Visualized tracking: Users can review their daily sound-based emotional patterns through the connected app.

Reflection & Potential｜

Sound is a highly inclusive form of expression: it requires no translation and carries a naturally strong emotional quality.
The device's privacy-focused design and passive resonance mechanism enhance users’ sense of safety and willingness to engage.
Potential applications include cross-cultural communication training, emotional recovery support, and campus crisis intervention.

Download of Project Documentation｜

Echo Crane Comms Package

You're welcome to download the Comms Package, which includes an overview of the project, design rationale, mechanism diagrams, product visuals, and key outcomes — ideal for portfolio presentation and project introductions.

End｜

In this project, I set out to use sound as a starting point for connection, exploring how people can build genuine and nuanced emotional resonance in an increasingly digital and multicultural world. Echo Crane is not just a product — it is a systemic design experiment in response to the emotional disconnection of our times.

It reflects my integrated capabilities across product thinking, service design, affective computing, and co-creation with users, and carries my sincere imagination of what future social interaction could become.

「May every overlooked sound become the beginning of a genuine connection.」

If this project resonated with you, or you'd like to collaborate — I'd love to hear from you.
📧 Email: [email protected]
📸 Instagram: har_rison0525

Echo Crane

Introduction｜

Echo Crane is more than just a product — it is a social design proposition that explores resonance and reawakens perception. I believe that even amidst the seemingly cold tide of digital life, the human sound can still be the gentlest form of response.

Project Background｜

Echo Crane seeks to respond to this reality by using "sound" as an entry point, exploring how we might create a softer, more authentic form of connection in a data-driven world.

Through research, we identified three levels of interpersonal resonance, which became the foundation for shaping Echo Crane’s sound-based interaction logic:

Core concept｜

I believe that everyone’s sound deserves to be heard — not just for what is said, but for the emotion, the state of being, and the presence it carries.

The three core principles of Echo Crane:

Using sound as a medium for emotional connection

Sensing and responding to users’ states through intelligent interaction

Building subtle yet genuine resonance between people

Extended Interpretation:

Echo Crane is not merely a standalone product — it is a sound-driven social system. Rooted in auditory habits and perceptual responses, it creates a soft, flexible channel between the unfamiliar and the familiar through voice recognition technology and human-computer collaboration.

The relationship between user and device is dynamically co-constructed, where sound becomes more than just a medium of communication — it becomes an emotional agent of identification, awakening, and connection.

This design philosophy begins with "the act of listening" and seeks to build an interactive ecosystem that is perceptive, responsive, and capable of generating meaningful relationships.

User Research｜

Through questionnaires, sound diary, sound test, and resonance interviews, I uncovered the following key experiential differences:

Key User Insights:

“Expression anxiety” is the biggest barrier to emotional resonance: Most users tend to revise or delete what they want to say, fearing misinterpretation.

Sound is the ideal entry point for emotional connection: It needs no translation and better conveys states and feelings.

People struggle to initiate connection, but deeply long to be acknowledged: Resonance is often easier than conversation when it comes to triggering emotional bonds.

Persona｜

Sound Diary｜

Concept Evolution｜

Echo Crane went through several key stages in its conceptual development:

Sound as the starting point: Based on research suggesting that sound conveys emotion more effectively than language, the project established sound collection as its primary input channel.

Sensing and feedback mechanisms: Paired with a wearable device, the system captures users' emotional fluctuations and delivers real-time feedback through vibration or sound-based resonance.

Service structure construction: Through collaboration between the app and the wearable sensor, the system forms a closed-loop social experience of listening → perceiving → resonating → responding.

Open structure and value embodiment: The system emphasizes openness, freedom, and respect, granting users full agency to choose when to listen, respond, or remain silent.

Focus on emotional values: The design is rooted in core emotional needs — a sense of safety, recognition, and reduced social anxiety — forming the ethical foundation of the experience.

Service Flow｜

This section illustrates the complete user journey with Echo Crane — from device setup and sound collection to daily resonance triggers and sound sharing.

Key Highlights:

Users begin by selecting sound tags during registration. Based on these tags, the AI recommends relevant sound content, gradually forming a personalized sound resonance profile.

The wearable sensor detects contextual cues such as location and ambient sound, and automatically suggests resonance matches. Users can choose to respond or initiate sound sharing.

The process emphasizes user control and emotional respect, creating an open yet safe environment for social connection.

Prototyping｜

Device Form Design: Echo Crane is a portable, clip-on wearable inspired by the form of an origami crane — symbolizing gentle communication and resonant signals.

The design process includes:

Hand-drawn product sketches exploring the integration of sound collection and wearable interaction.

Prototyping of various origami-inspired forms, including magnetic structures and interchangeable wings for personalized expression.

Physical model testing to ensure ergonomic fit around the neck and effective transmission of resonance feedback.

Product Renderings｜

Echo Crane – Smart Wearable Clip Features:

Echo Crane is a smart wearable clip designed with a foldable structure, inspired by the form of an origami crane- symbolizing gentle transmission and emotional resonance.

The magnetic, interchangeable wings allow users to customize the device according to their preferences, enhancing both personalization and playfulness in wearability.

The device features intelligent sensing, providing subtle light and vibration feedback based on users’ emotional resonance states, creating a soft and responsive social atmosphere.

Interaction Modes:

Real-time resonance alerts: When emotional states align between users, the device responds with a soft glow or vibration cue.

Visualized tracking: Users can review their daily sound-based emotional patterns through the connected app.

Reflection & Potential｜

Sound is a highly inclusive form of expression: it requires no translation and carries a naturally strong emotional quality.

The device's privacy-focused design and passive resonance mechanism enhance users’ sense of safety and willingness to engage.

Potential applications include cross-cultural communication training, emotional recovery support, and campus crisis intervention.

Download of Project Documentation｜

You're welcome to download the Comms Package, which includes an overview of the project, design rationale, mechanism diagrams, product visuals, and key outcomes — ideal for portfolio presentation and project introductions.

End｜

It reflects my integrated capabilities across product thinking, service design, affective computing, and co-creation with users, and carries my sincere imagination of what future social interaction could become.

「May every overlooked sound become the beginning of a genuine connection.」