The MOX is a lightweight workstation synthesizer that offers excellent cost-performance, while inheriting the superb sounds and functionality of Yamaha’s flagship “MOTIF” workstations, instruments that have won the acclaim of professional musicians. The design maintains the functional interface of MOTIF-series keyboards, and is intended to provide a lively feel that inspires people to touch and play it. In designing the MOX, I explored the motivations behind the preferences for various synthesizers and the music for which these instruments are used before arriving at a keyword for the design; “smoothness.” Encompassed within this keyword are four concepts: first, "Motivational Smoothness,” which inspires musicians to play; second, “Easy & Speedy Smoothness," which allows the performer to use the instrument quickly and easily; third, “Sync Smoothness,” which encourages players to bond with their instrument; and last, “Quality Smoothness," which is an expression of the quality felt with the MOX synthesizer. To achieve all of this, a great deal of expression was put into shaping the silhouette and cross-section, and into the grooved panel surfaces which divide up the various areas. In contrast to the radical appearance of top-end models, I believe that we have offered a concept for a new kind of full-size synthesizer that musicians are able to relate to on equal terms.