Doctor Octoroc
Sr Member
I like the general direction but I don't think it really cuts back on the bulkiness that the prongs/hinges add on the original since each alternative design seems to add the same manner of bulkiness to the overall look. But I rather like the design and the prospect of the prongs/hinges being functional as is so that could just be me. My main critique aside from that would be the portion between the switch and the emitter head. All sonics have one thing in common and that is that they tend to become more ornate and detailed near the front than the back, which I think is why a lot of people don't like the Capaldi sonic (or at least the rear portion, from what I've heard). Improving the design I think would likely involve invoking that same scheme with the prettier bits near the front and the plainer stuff towards the rear.
There's also a serious logistical issue with the head retracting into the body below the activation switch since that would be impossible to build for a practical prop - but canon-wise, Time Lord technology would certainly allow this
And I don't mean to be too harsh, I do like what you're trying to do. Both designs just seem too symmetrical from front to back which is something no sonic has ever done, and I think that's for good reason - it's just not aesthetically pleasing to the eye to have that much consistency or repetition across the length of an object. Think about swords with the hilt and blade or how every staff throughout history has focused on the front end for the more ornate design and detail with a grip somewhere in the middle. Thinking outside the box is great but too far outside of the box just throws out conventions that should always be considered in design.
