Matthew Cross has designed a tactile midi controller to enable people who are new to music to produce simple songs and loops in an easier way. The product is compatible with existing free digital audio workstation programs and hardware.

Designed for use alongside Garageband for iPad, USBC midi controller is a physical interface for the app to improve user interaction. By adding tactility through material and technology choices the controller enhances creativity and increases comfort for the user when producing loops. Cross has focussed on a ‘hierarchy of control’ leading to detailed development of layout, button sizes and colour scheme, enabling areas would be used most to be highlighted simplifying user interaction.

In his final year, Cross was able to branch out from product design to service design.

“I realised that what I love about design is the ideation, creativity and problem solving rather than the physical and digital tools. I hope in the future to use my design skills in working environments that create change in systems or services on a large scale. I hope to create positive experiences for people through design thinking”.

Cross will be working for Sheffield Hallam University as a Graduate Intern in Academic Development and Diversity this autumn.