KEIRIN is a conceptual digital camera designed as a testing ground for exploring new design paradigms, seamlessly integrating hardware and software. It aims to provide an immersive shooting experience focusing on the photographic craft without distractions.

Named after the Japanese word keirin 競輪 ー a bike race in a velodrome ー is the perfect name for a concept where hardware and software cycle together.

04 — 2024

Flexible OLED, 3D prints.

Using a phone flexible screen moulded onto the camera body to assess in the closest manner the ergonomics, look and feel of our design.

04 — 2024

3D Print, electronics.

Our 3rd iteration features a rectangular touchscreen closer to the final height of our design while shooting better pictures and auto uploading them to the cloud. The working prototype is a workhorse to test both digital and physical interactions and the relationship between them. It is also proof that you can currently build a digital camera in your home.

04 — 2024

Anodized aluminium, SLS Nylon print, Polycarbonate and metal inserts.

A prototype with the closest materials to the final intended colours, materials and finishes.

12 — 2023

FDM print in black, electronics.

The making of this prototype sadly broke the flexible OLED rendering it unusable. We did learn a few things about flexible screens and went out to source another one to prove our concept with a functional screen, not just renders.

11 — 2023

FDM print in white, electronics.

This is the second iteration of our functional prototype. The first one was recycled into this one. This prototype already is capable of shooting and storing pictures and has an adapted UI for its rectangular touchscreen.

09 — 2023

FDM print in silver + laser print

Model used to doublecheck the screen real estate and the size of the UI vs. usability with different hand sizes.

08 — 2023

FDM print in silver & mixed media (tape, foam, markers)

A volumetric model used during the development of expansion add-ons like the viewfinder and grip. This model was used to think and iterate how the shooting experience would feel while shooting through a viewfinder (using physical controls) - in opposition to shooting through the touchscreen. Making evident that controls had to be redundant: possible via minimal physical interactions and through the touchscreen.

06 — 2023

FDM print in white + laser print

Another composition & ergonomic test to locate the shutter and control wheel within the camera body.

05 — 2023

FDM print in white + laser print

One of the many digital models considering composition and ergonomics. This one features a 3/4 screen. After some testing, this approach was abandoned in favour of the half-half model as the bigger screen left less grip to hold the camera securely - particularly with big hands - and had the risk of turning the camera body into a soap bar.

04 — 2023

Honeycomb cardboard and paper

2nd card prototype insinuates early composition and features positioning.

04 — 2023

Honeycomb cardboard and paper

1st card prototype to establish proportions and overall size.

03/2023

Notion + Paper Sketch

Study of a camera body — How May We utilise flexible OLEDs to use the edges not merely as borders but as bridges?

A series of camera concepts exploring new hardware, UX and interface design paradigms, ruled by the principle of feasibility.

Bring back the fun - the magic. A framework to rethink contemporary cameras from a place of enjoyment and for the love of photography, not technology for tech´s sake. A space to remix what is already good and to challenge what could be better.

KEIRIN is a conceptual digital camera designed as a testing ground for exploring new design paradigms, seamlessly integrating hardware and software.

This panoramic-first, side-to-side flexible touchscreen camera is housed in a compact metal body, featuring a custom navigation system with numerous innovative concepts for shooting, viewing, sorting and storing pictures.

With a high degree of flexibility built-in, Keirin offers various options for interaction patterns and customisation in hardware and software.

Keirin aims to provide an immersive shooting experience focusing on the photographic craft without distractions.

Named after the Japanese word Keirin 競輪 ー a bike race in a velodrome ー is the perfect name for a concept where hardware and software cycle together.