Mono Magazine

Mono
Mono facilitates the creation of dynamic video content through
the use of simple motion control. It is an integrated filmmaking
accessory designed to improve the skills and capability of the user
by providing panoramic motion control. The device is coupled with
an intuitive smartphone or tablet application to provide complete
control over the image-capture device and the shot.
The compact device is fitted to the base of a camera or
smartphone attachment through the utilisation of the
standardised thread system evident in most camera accessories.
Once positioned, Mono allows the camera to be panoramically
controlled, rotating 360 degrees laterally. With this, the device
can perform four functions; video recording, time lapse recording,
panorama image capture and stitching and object tracking with
the aid of a remote control accessory.
Given the nature of camera motion manipulation, the device was
designed to place the emphasis on the visual video outcomes
and as a result, streamline the process and educate the user.
Through this platform the user is encouraged to experiment with
the functions and apply them to fit their needs. Furthermore, with
the introduction of additional motion control products such as
camera sliders, dollies, booms and ziplines, the capability of the
Mono device can be enhanced exponentially. Mono encourages
user engagement through the gestural input interactions which,
in turn, helps in understanding the filmmaking processes and the
development of new skills.
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Research
The data collection and research revealed that the industry of
filmmaking is highly individualised with each person developing
their own style of filming and editing to achieve a desired result
through videos. Interestingly, the two categories of both amateur
and professional filmmakers who participated in the research,
shared similar values regarding their camera equipment.
The proposal contained a number of key sections that aimed to
realise the potential scope of the project. The aim was to create
a product system to assist amateur filmmakers in creating and
sharing their stories through the use of minimal resources by
enhancing the potential of a device already owned by the user.
The goal was to enhance the user engagement in filmmaking as
well as the capacity to achieve professional capabilities.
Throughout the research phase, the participants were encouraged
to define their values of filmmaking tools. This provided valuable,
insightful information such as image quality, product quality,
functionality, price point, reliability and convenience. Furthermore,
it was resolved that the proposed design solution should
enable filmmakers to enhance their professional capabilities by
encouraging creativity through using the tools accessible to them.
Ultimately, this would amplify the users ability to create and share
stories and in the process, the filmmaker would become educated
through active engagement in the filmmaking process, gain new
knowledge and improve on existing skills.

Design
Due to the contextually versatile nature of filmmaking, the product
was required to be adaptive whilst maintaining functionality. The
solution was designed to encourage creative discovery through
the process of experimentation. The Mono device was designed
to accommodate the universal connections evident in third-party
cameras in the market. This relates to cameras and the pre-defined
features and functions incorporated into those products. The
different physical characteristics among varying cameras include
the size, interface, overall weight and weight distribution has been
considered. Furthermore, cameras are generally customizable
resulting in the physical characteristics of each model of camera
being difficult to accommodate. Much consideration was given
to the accommodation of most common consumer cameras.
This was evidenced by experimentation and refinement through
the design process. The Mono device is suitable for cameras
ranging from smart phones to medium sizes cameras (DSLR).
The compact form factor that doesn’t compromise power was
designed to address the issues raised throughout the data
collection phase regarding transportation considerations. The
size, weight and build quality have been factored into the design
resulting in a robust product suitable for most contexts.
The connectivity and integration of the Mono devices to other
electronic devices, such as smartphones and cameras, aimed
to be as seamless as possible, through using recognisable and
stable technology, such as, bluetooth. The hardware and software
limitations have been considered and factored into the final design
solution.

housing pt. 1
mounting plate
gear-set 5:1 ratio
bearing
motor hardware
stepper motor
pcb
li-po battery
bearing support
housing pt. 2
hardware
silicone foot

Engineering
A challenge that arose was power consumption and
considerations. The larger form factor of stepper motors provided
them with high torque capability however, has a sub-sequential
high power consumption. To successfully make the Mono device
portable, a Lithium-Ion battery was to be integrated within
the small form factor. In considering this, stepper motors were
researched to find a model that had a low profile, high torque and
low power consumption. A five volt stepper motor was found that
used gears effectively to increase the torque whilst remaining
compact and energy efficient. The discovery of this motor and its
power requirements influenced the form factor of the Mono device
as the housing had to accommodate this as well as a Lithium-Ion
battery.
To integrate the motor into the housing and effectively use it
to its full potential, a gear ratio scheme was implemented. By
introducing gears into the housing of the Mono device, the
torque of the motor could be increased further whilst also
reducing the power draw from the motor. For this to be effective,
experimentation into gear-sets and configurations was undertaken
to find the most suitable option. For this process, engineering
gear generation tools were used to explore gear ratios and tooth
interactions to maximise the efficiency of the system.
Once developed, these were laser cut using acrylic and tested
using a simple jig. A planetary gear-set was explored as the
configuration to provide rotation translation effectively through
the use of multiple gears and ratios. The challenge with using a
planetary gear-set was the driving motor that must be positioned
in the governing axis. In the formation of the Mono device, this
was a problem due to the axis being occupied by the mounting
threads and the camera mounting shaft. An alternative solution
saw the employment of a simple 5:1 gear ratio which decentralised
the motor to cater to Monos axis considerations whilst retaining
the advantages of a planetary gear-set.

Application
The application interface enables the user to view the frame
being displayed and manipulate this by swiping, zooming and
controlling the functions. There are four functions: video; time
lapse; panorama and tracking each with a slightly different set of
definable controls.
The video section allows for control over the motion: including
the start and end position; the speed; the duration; the frame rate
and the mode. The mode section includes programmable actions
such as: repeating; returning; ease control and continuous panning
(until stopped).
The time lapse, much like the video function, allows for defined
start and end positions. Furthermore, the recording times, the
play times (output length) and the pauses between incremental
movements, are specified.
Panoramas require a more intensive set-up as the camera settings
must be defined before programming the Mono device. Once the
settings on the camera are defined, the focal length, aspect ratio,
orientation, exposure time, photo count and overlap must be
specified for the device and the camera to work harmoniously. The
result is a long, high-quality image comprised of many individual
images digitally stitched together.
Lastly, the tracking is simple to initiate with a pairing button that
starts and stops the connection between the phone and the Mono
device. The Mono application offers a live preview in both video
and time lapse modes. This permits the user to preview and adjust
the defined motion program.

Branding
The first process in this stage was generating a brand name
followed by the creation of a logo. A thorough search using online
resources was conducted to explore existing brands on the market
and to be conscious of existing brand names, logos and brand
language. As well as this, a trademark search was carried out
to ensure the brand name was not conflicting in the trademark
class in which Mono is located. From this, a shortlist of names
was generated based on a variety of factors including sounds,
syllables, letters, formation, and potential contextual applications.
The outcome of this process was a name, and a typeset that
aligned with the brand language. Following this, vector modelling
tools provided a great means of exploration and a logo was
eventually created. The Mono logo was inspired by a font, however,
was constructed using circles and rectangles (Figure X). Once this
logo was established and refined, a condensed version of the logo
was created to cater to different contexts and applications, for
example, a smartphone application icon.
Within the branding realm, user experience elements were
considered to work toward a holistic, coherent brand. Packaging,
advertising, smartphone application interfaces and on-product
logo applications were also explored to ensure the overall brand
identity was consistent.

Sketching
In the early ideation stages of design development, concept
sketching was used to enable, rapid idea generation and object
visualisation. This phase was an exercise in divergent thinking
which involved exploring various different design avenues within
the greater scope of the project. Sketching, in this context,
allowed for quick expression of ideas which resulted in concepts
that revealed qualities and relations that was otherwise difficult
to envisage. This process in the initial ideation stage makes up a
small yet integral part as design refinement progresses quickly
and with greater attention to detail such as aesthetics, material
and part break-ups, manufacturability, and form generation. As
well as concept sketching, system mapping tools were used to
visualise how elements of the system would work holistically and
harmoniously.
A combination of analogue and digital sketching was utilised to
thoroughly explore all elements of the design. Digital sketching
enabled features and applications not necessarily possible through
analogue means. Context composition, material experimentation
and overlaying are some examples of how digital sketching was
used to generate ideas. Furthermore, computer aided design
(CAD) software was used to generate block forms to use as
underlays in both analogue and digital sketching. This was
effective as it assisted in visualising the presence of a form as well
as providing a sense of scale.

David Chapman
davidchapmandesigner.com