Azra Firmansyah
Azra is an Indonesian designer dedicated to creating inclusive and sustainable solutions that spark dialogue and drive systemic change. He is developing Svaika, a wearable device that translates music into tactile vibrations, allowing Deaf individuals to experience rhythm and melody through touch. Rooted in his passion for culture and language—including sign languages—Azra’s work prioritises accessibility and celebrates Deafness as a unique sensory worldview. His approach combines innovation with empathy, proving that design can empower communities and redefine how we experience art.
Over 430 million people—about 6% of the population—are Deaf or hard of hearing, and many face barriers to fully participating in cultural and artistic experiences, including music (WHO).
Azra is addressing this gap through Svaika, a wearable tactile sound device that translates sound into vibrational patterns, enabling Deaf individuals to experience music through touch. Inspired by the brain’s adaptability, the device is designed to align with how Deaf individuals naturally perceive the world, prioritising accessibility and cultural resonance while embracing Deafness as a unique sensory worldview.
With the support of the Swarovski Foundation's Creatives for Our Future programme, Azra is refining Svaika through extensive user testing across Indonesia. The grant provides funding, mentorship, and a global platform to help him overcome technical challenges, expand partnerships, and advocate for systemic change in accessibility and inclusion within the arts.
Azra’s vision is to inspire a future in which accessibility becomes a cornerstone of the cultural and creative industries. By proving the viability of sensory substitution tools, his work promotes equity, enriches artistic participation, and advances the Sustainable Development Goals focused on reducing inequalities.
“Existing solutions often treat deafness as something to fix. My project brings a non-invasive solution to the market where it does not seek to ‘fix’ or ‘heal’ but to embrace Deafness as a unique sensory worldview.”
Azra Firmansyah
