Once my headphones are in, the rest of the world is out. I scroll through my playlist and deep dive into my favorite musical tunes. And then I’m in my own little audio world, where everything is peaceful, my favorite singers are my best friends, and they just know the right things to say. If you’re a music fanatic as well, you know how important and sacred your personal music time can be, and how holy your relationship with your headphones is. After all, these are the resourceful little things that transport us into our beloved audio world. However, headphones for kids can be a bit of a pickle, since they tend to outgrow them, just like their pants and shoes. So, design consultancy Morrama partnered up with Batch.Works to create the Kibu headphones for kids!
Designer: Morrama and Batch.Works
Morrama teamed up with circular manufacturing company Batch.Works to design a unique audio gear that can be customized and assembled by its kid user when he eventually grows into a youthful user. The headphones are designed to be repairable and recyclable all through their circular lifespan. Each pair of Kibu headphones is 3D printed on demand and is available in custom colors using recycled PLA from packaging waste sourced from the agricultural industry, and further accentuated with a comfortable TPU headband, and foam ear cups in kiddie size.
“This project is the result of both Batch.Works and Morrama’s drive to shift the consumer mindset around product circularity and repairability at end-of-life. By starting with kids’ products, we hope to set the next generation on a path to better understanding and appreciating the objects they use and interact with and do so in a playful and engaging warm,” said Jo Barnard, Founder, and Creative Director of Morrama. Since any accessories used by children can be damaged, Batch.Works has that aspect covered as well. Any plastic component of the Kibu headphones can be sent back to Batch.Works to break them down to their original polymer pieces, that can be reused to create new headphones. The electronic components within the headphones can be easily disassembled to provide easy and swift access to the core precious metals inside.
The Kibu headphones will be launched sometime later this year, however, the pricing is yet not known. Kibu’s circular design is an attempt to convey to the younger generations that technology isn’t a disposable commodity, and nor does it need to have a juvenile design.
