Client: Akuto Studio / Switzerland
CGI and animation: Floating Point / Switzerland
Successfully launched on Kickstarter and Indiegogo
Year of design: 2022
The Chord Machine AKT-0.1 is a compact MIDI and CV-compatible controller built in Switzerland.
The Details
The Machine in Use
Design Process
The project started as the Goko Chord Machine, a 2021 diploma project by Guillaume Giraud, who approached Mick to redesign and modernize the existing prototype enclosure, making it more minimal, refined, and visually appealing.
Before the project began, Mick prepared the reference boards to define the visual direction of the future design based on the project requirements.
Ideation & Sketching
Some Concepts Based on the Approved Design Direction
The first concept explored a more rounded aesthetic while maintaining clean, simple forms with defined edges. However, it turned out to be too far from the client’s vision.
Once we settled on a specific design direction and shape language, the remaining explorations focused mostly on refining smaller details, such as the knobs, LED layout, and overall proportions of the keys, screen, and knobs. This can be seen in the second and third concepts below.
Iterations & Refinements
After the third concept was approved, we went through several iterations, refining proportions and minor but critical details. The revised PCB layout also allowed us to make the product thinner.
Final Design with CMF
Through close collaboration between Mick and the Akuto Studio team, the product soon took on its sleek and sophisticated look. CMF, DFM, engineering were handled by the client’s team and CGI — by Floating Point, who did an excellent job!
Manufacturing
The product was manufactured in Shenzhen, China and precisely assembled in Switzerland by Akuto Studio team.
Successful Fundraising & Awards
🥳
Fundraising
In January 2023, the Chord Machine was successfully launched on Kickstarter, raising approximately $220,000, nearly nine times its original funding goal. The campaign continued on Indiegogo, raising an additional $143,000.
The Chord Machine was selected as a “Project We Love” by Kickstarter’s editorial team, recognizing its technology, creativity and innovative design.
Awards
Later in 2025 it received a Swiss Design Award — a prestigious hundred-year old design award and one of the three means of design promotion by the Swiss government’s Federal Office of Culture, along with the Most Beautiful Swiss Books and the Grand Prix Design.
How the Chord Machine Works
More Visuals and Video
Customers’ photos
