A50 Audio System
Tactical Sophistication
C-1240
A50 Headset System
Industrial Design
Astro Gaming
For more than a decade, Astro Gaming has been a driving force in the professional-grade audio space. Helping to pioneer audio systems for tournament gamers, the A40 became an icon of the industry and one of the most identifiable products in the gaming peripheral space. Huge Design was called on to help develop the predecessor flagship system, the A50 headset and base station.
Recognition
Red Dot Award
[Winner,2020]
Industries
- Gaming hardware
- Consumer electronics
- Audio equipment
Deliverables
- Concept generation
- 3D CAD development
- Ergonomic evaluation
- User interface development
- Design for manufacturing
- CMF and on-product branding
A50 Headset + Base Station
Gamer-considered UX
The A50 Audio System consists of a wireless headset and accompanying base station. The headset features full audio control, including power, volume and a fill-to-mute boom. The base station provides system connectivity and game/voice mixing as well as a charging cradle for the main device. Many UX architectures were developed and tested to deliver the most seamless gamer experience, from when it is removed from the dock to in-game play and post-game charging. The A50 enables full communication control in a tight, intuitive package.
The aesthetic goal of the A50 headset was to retain the heritage silhouette of past Astro Gaming headsets while modernizing the overall look and feel. Huge Design achieved this by tightening up the lines and sculpting the surfaces. The result is a combination of pure geometric form with comfortable organic surfacing. A tone-on-tone matte-black finish is accented by functional technical graphics.
