Being a DJ also comes with plenty of logistical demands. Professional gear, from CDJs to mixers, is built for the stage and the studio, not for everyday life. Tuno, designed by Chaewon Lee, starts from this observation and tries to solve it with an object shaped like a ring that works with the logic of a portable musical instrument.

Chaewon Lee, an industrial designer and DJ, developed this compact device with the support of Samsung Design Membership, allowing users to mix tracks, manage EQ and FX, and connect music streaming apps in any setting. The toroidal shape isn’t just aesthetic: it defines the interaction. A click wheel selects frequencies, and scrolling adjusts them. The main controls mirror the logic of professional CDJs in a format that fits in one hand.

The project stems from field research conducted with five DJs: Lee observed their performances with CDJ equipment, tracking and overlaying their movement paths to identify recurring gestural patterns. The result is an interface designed for those already familiar with DJing, but accessible to first-timers too.

One of the most original elements is the monitoring system: the built-in wireless earbuds feature a motion sensor that tracks head movement. By tilting the head right or left, the user monitors the two decks in real time, replicating the instinctive gesture professional DJs use when listening with just one side of their headphones.

Tuno was presented at the New Formative exhibition at the Samsung Electronics Seoul R&D Campus in August 2025. A thesis project that already works as a product proposal.