Name: AIAIAI
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Product: Pipe Earphone, Track Headphones

Copenhagen-based AIAIAI is the kind of design firm that takes Louis Sullivan’s famous observation that “form follows function” very seriously. To develop their fabulous Pipe earphones, they collaborated with another Danish design company KiBiSi, who, says Emil Brink, AIAIAI’s PR and marketing guru, “are involved in every audio project we do. One thing is to create an esthetical beautiful product, but it’s a whole other thing when you don’t want to compromise on durability and unique sound quality at all. We had to meet the demands from the designers, engineers and the sound technicians. That just made it more satisfying when we had the final product in our hands.”

What inspired you to create the Tracks headphones?
The iconic headphones you used with your Walkman in the 80´s!

How were they made?
The Tracks were made in collaboration with the Danish design team KiBiSi. Our main idea was to create an super updated version of the headphones you brought along with your walkman in the 80's. We gathered all our ideas, and had the creative process going. After that lot's of different prototypes were tested and adjustments were made, before reaching the final design and optimal sound quality.

Can you describe your creative process?
Our design process, and actually the way we work in general, is very open to just about anything. We always try to involve external partners (KiBiSi, Mannhandle, Teenage Engineering, etc.) and experts in various fields in order get the best possible insights and practice, and also to learn something new along the way. We like to do it this way as opposed to creating everything in-house because we get a much more dynamic process and get to work with people who are the best at what they do. Hopefully this translates into the different projects. 

What do you love about what you do?
I love to see an idea turn in to a product and later spot random people using it. 

How would you sum up your aesthetic/design philosophy?
Form follows the function to whatever end that might be… even if it’s over the edge.

What are you working on next?
We have a lot of exciting projects in the pipeline. One of them is a further development of our DJ headphone TMA-1. We’re working on a studio version of this headphone, which will include state of the art technology combined with modular physical design. Sorry if this sounds too technical, but I can’t go into too much in detail. We’re also doing some collaborations with brands we find interesting. 

What would you like to do other than your current occupation?
Wouldn’t be too bad if I could manage a professional football (soccer) club.

What do you like most about online shopping?
It gives me time to do something else than walking around from shop to shop. I like that I can do a purchase 3 o’clock in the morning if I want to!