Slice: A Symphony of Design and Nature

Revolutionizing Outdoor Soundscapes with Innovative Speaker

Breaking away from traditional designs, Slice challenges the notion that speakers should be confined to the ground. Its unique hanging feature allows for a seamless blend with the natural environment, offering an effortless and comfortable outdoor music experience. The design's inspiration stems from the graceful imagery of wind chimes, as the speaker sways and rotates with the breeze, creating an enchanting visual and auditory display.

What sets Slice apart is its portability and adaptability to outdoor settings such as camping. The speaker's thin profile is not just an aesthetic choice but also a practical one, allowing it to flutter in the wind, dispersing sound in a captivating manner. The red ball, a simple yet ingenious addition, serves as the device's control, turning music on and off with a pull, adding to the speaker's interactive charm.

Constructed from biodegradable and recyclable plastic, Slice is a testament to sustainable design. It embodies a philosophy of returning to nature not only in its use but also through its materiality. The designers, Hu Zou and Miao Jingyi, have meticulously tested various model sizes to achieve the perfect balance between sound quality and lightweight design, settling on dimensions that ensure auditory beauty and gentle movement in the wind.

From the bustling city of Guangzhou, China, the design journey of Slice spanned from July 2022 to April 2023. The project culminated in an exhibition at the Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, showcasing the harmony between technological innovation and environmental consciousness. The design process involved extensive research, including user interviews and field studies, to address the gap in outdoor sound products that resonate with nature.

One of the key challenges overcome by the designers was maintaining high sound quality in a thin and light form factor, while also considering environmental variables such as wind and sunlight. Their efforts were recognized with an Iron A' Design Award in the Audio and Sound Equipment category for 2024, a testament to their successful integration of design excellence and practical functionality.

In conclusion, Slice is not just a speaker; it is an experience that enhances outdoor living with a touch of elegance and sustainability. Hu Zou and Miao Jingyi have crafted a design that resonates with the environment, offering a new way to enjoy music in harmony with the natural world. As the recipient of the prestigious Iron A' Design Award, Slice stands as a beacon of innovation, inviting users to rethink the possibilities of sound in outdoor spaces.