Masters Showcase 2025 Student Spotlight: Louis Dabanloo
Student Spotlight featuring MSc Design: Products and Technology student, Louis Dabanloo, and his project design 'Harmony'.
By Jon Duckworth | Published on 16 September 2025
Categories: Student Showcase;
The project
Louis Dabanloo's project 'Harmony' is a public performance structure designed to make city centres more vibrant, while reducing noise disruption. It gives buskers a dedicated stage that directs sound downward into the audience, helping control noise spread, and creating a more peaceful environment. The design celebrates Nottingham’s heritage, incorporating elements from the coat of arms, Robin Hood folklore, and the city’s lace-making legacy, blending cultural identity with acoustic innovation.
Harmony is a designed to give street performers a dedicated stage while reducing noise disruption.
The inspiration behind the project
Louis explains that his project was inspired by the decline of city centres and the monotony often found in urban spaces. He says: "Through research, I explored how cities are adapting post-COVID, with people now visiting for experiences rather than shopping. I was especially drawn to how some cities have embraced buskers to reintroduce energy, culture, and life into their streets. This led to a design that supports performers while also managing noise, creating a more vibrant and balanced urban environment."
The design celebrates Nottingham’s heritage, incorporating elements from the coat of arms, Robin Hood folklore, and the city’s lace-making legacy.
Being part of NTU
"My experience working on this project has been both fun and insightful," says Louis. "It started with deep research, connecting ideas and uncovering the core issue, then moved into sketching and modelling to refine the concept. Developing the final prototype and thinking about future possibilities brought everything together. The process had its natural ups and downs, but reaching a working outcome made it all feel incredibly rewarding."
Reflecting on his NTU experience, Louis says: "My time at NTU has been both enriching and transformative. Coming from an engineering background, I initially had gaps in areas like primary research and design thinking, but this course has helped me bridge those. I’ve learned how to gather insights through research and apply them meaningfully to guide a project’s direction. It’s also encouraged me to think beyond pure functionality, exploring ways to bring more beauty and cultural relevance into my work.
"My most memorable moments at NTU have come from being in the workshop, where I’ve had the freedom to experiment and bring ideas to life. Projects like Harmony and the cutlery-making module challenged me to problem-solve, translating sketches into physical outcomes. One standout moment was building the innards of the metal structure for Harmony, which worked exactly as intended, and taught me a great deal about using machinery, while sparking a genuine interest in metalwork."
Closing remarks
For anyone out there considering following in Louis' footsteps and studying our MSc Design: Products and Technology course, he has the following advice:
"Embrace the workshop. It might seem intimidating at first, but it’s where some of your most productive and rewarding work will happen, and where your ideas really start to take shape. Also, make the most of your time with the tutors. If you miss sessions, it’s easy to fall behind. Listen to their guidance, because they bring valuable experience and genuinely want to see you succeed."
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