'Slice' by Hu Zou: Innovation in Outdoor Speaker

Slice

Outdoor Speaker for Hu Zou

This thin outdoor speaker can be carried around easily and used in camping and similar scenarios. It can be freely hung on surrounding branches, and music can be played by pulling the red ball. As the speaker swings and rotates in the wind, music seems to become more ethereal and pleasing to the ear. This design breaks the fixed mind-set that speakers must be placed on the ground, making it more closely integrated with the natural environment, allowing users to enjoy music more easily and comfortably outdoors.

Hu Zou 2024 Collective Iron Press Kit № 152913

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Download Press Kit № 152913 Outdoor Speaker for Hu Zou by Hu Zou to access high-res images, essential texts, translations, and exclusive interviews—all in one.

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Slice by Hu Zou

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Outdoor Speaker by Hu Zou

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Hu Zou Slice

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Hu Zou Outdoor Speaker

Download 1800 Pixels JPEG Image.

The 1800-pixel image is crafted for flexibility in print sizes—crisp and detailed at up to 6 inches with 300 DPI, and maintains its clarity at up to 12 inches when set to 150 DPI. With press accreditation, enjoy watermark-free, high-res downloads. Low-res images are available immediately for all. Details on photo contributions are located in the Image Credits Section.

Unique Properties

This thin outdoor speaker can be carried around easily and used in camping and similar scenarios. It can be freely hung on surrounding branches, and music can be played by pulling the red ball. When the wind blows, the thin speaker flutters with the wind, as if the music is also flying in the air, scattering in all directions. As the speaker swings and rotates in the wind, music seems to become more ethereal and pleasing to the ear.

Production Technology

This outdoor speaker is made of biodegradable and recyclable plastic, which can be carried around and hung freely on surrounding branches. When designing, we hope that this product can return to nature in terms of production materials, usage methods, and experience, becoming a truly integrated and harmonious design with nature.

Design Challenge

The challenge we face is how to utilize existing technology to ensure that speaker have high sound quality and a good auditory experience while maintaining its thin and light form. Meanwhile, due to the close connection between this design and the natural environment, it is necessary to consider the impact of uncertain factors such as wind and sunlight on the product during the research process, which also increases the difficulty of product development.

Project Duration

The project started in July 2022 and finished in April 2023 in Guangzhou, China, and was exhibited in the Art Museum of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in June 2023.

Operation Flow

This thin outdoor speaker can be carried around easily and used in camping and similar scenarios. It can be freely hung on surrounding branches, and music can be played by pulling the red ball. As the speaker swings and rotates in the wind, music seems to become more ethereal and pleasing to the ear. After enjoying the music, simply pull the red ball again to turn off the speaker.

Research

Through conducting interviews with users and field investigations on people's outdoor behavior, we found that there is a lack of a sound product on the market that is more closely related to outdoor activities and nature. During the product development process, we tested the music playback performance of different audio accessories in different outdoor environments and wind conditions, and selected audio systems with outstanding anti-interference capabilities.

Inspiration

This design breaks the fixed mind-set that speakers must be placed on the ground, making it more closely integrated with the natural environment, allowing users to enjoy music more easily and comfortably outdoors. Compared to common speakers, the hanging design makes this speaker more convenient and easier to use in outdoor environments. When hanging on a branch, the speaker occasionally sways and rotates under the gentle breeze, reminiscent of the image of a wind chime.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Qian Kai, Slice, 2023. Image #2: Photographer Qian Kai, Slice, 2023. Image #3: Photographer Qian Kai, Slice, 2023. Image #4: Photographer Qian Kai, Slice, 2023. Image #5: Photographer Qian Kai, Slice, 2023.

Project Overview

Slice Outdoor Speaker has been a Iron winner in the Audio and Sound Equipment Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.

Iron Recognition

Hu Zou was recognized with the coveted Iron A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Slice Outdoor Speaker.

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