Industrial Designer (Consumer Electronics)

### Project Overview I am developing a premium USB-C wired earbud called **SHEMA**. The goal is to create a modern wired earbud that delivers the comfort, ergonomics, and minimalist design language of the Apple AirPods Pro while eliminating batteries and Bluetooth. This is **not** a reverse-engineering project or a direct copy of AirPods. The design should be original while taking inspiration from the comfort, proportions, and premium feel of modern consumer audio products. This project focuses exclusively on the **industrial design and mechanical CAD**. Electrical engineering, firmware, and software are being handled separately. --- ## Primary Objectives Design a premium wired earbud that features: * USB-C wired connection * Short touch-sensitive stem (no physical buttons) * Comfortable all-day ergonomic fit * Premium minimalist appearance * Internal microphones integrated into the earbud * Premium materials (future production target: titanium or aluminum outer shell) * Internal space reserved for electronic components --- ## Deliverables ### External Industrial Design Create a complete exterior design including: * Earbud housing * Short stem * Ear tip nozzle * Cable exit * Touch interaction surface * Overall proportions and styling --- ### Internal Mechanical Layout Design the internal layout with placeholder volumes for: * Dynamic speaker driver * MEMS microphones * Wiring * Internal supports * Cable routing * Future PCB space (if required) At this stage, exact electronic components are not finalized, so reserve realistic internal packaging volume. --- ### Prototype-Ready CAD Provide editable CAD files and export formats suitable for rapid prototyping. Required outputs: * Fusion 360 source files * STEP files * STL files * Assembly views * Exploded views (if applicable) These files will be used for iterative 3D printing. --- ## Design Requirements The product should communicate: * Premium * Professional * Modern * Minimalist * High-quality consumer electronics Target characteristics: * Comfortable for extended wear * Compact * Balanced weight * Clean surfaces * Minimal visible seams * Elegant cable integration The design should be manufacturable and follow Design for Manufacturing (DFM) best practices. --- ## Manufacturing Considerations Although this project is for prototyping, please design with future production in mind. Preferred knowledge includes: * Injection molding * Wall thickness considerations * Draft angles * Snap-fit design * Tolerances * Consumer electronics manufacturing --- ## Prototype Workflow The initial design will be: 1. Modeled in Fusion 360 2. 3D printed for ergonomic testing 3. Iteratively refined 4. Used for engineering integration 5. Prepared for future manufacturing This is expected to be an iterative collaboration. --- ## Ideal Experience Please include examples of previous work involving: * Earbuds * Headphones * Wearables * Consumer electronics * Medical devices * Small handheld products Experience designing products that progressed to manufacturing is highly preferred. --- ## Preferred Skills * Fusion 360 * Industrial Design * Mechanical Design * Consumer Electronics * Product Development * Design for Manufacturing (DFM) * 3D Printing * Ergonomics * Prototype Development --- ## Additional Information This project is the first phase of a larger consumer electronics product. The selected freelancer may continue into future phases involving design refinement, engineering support, and manufacturing preparation. The goal is to build a premium product from concept through production with a long-term working relationship.