Industrial designer Michael Young has partnered with Italian electronics organization Brionvega to launch a portable speaker, designed as an option to the “audio trash market”.
Young’s Bionvega WearIt speaker is designed to work with phones, laptops and other electronic units.
“We did not create this to compete in the audio trash marketplace,” Young informed Dezeen, referring to a proliferation of low-cost portable speakers that have flooded the industry.
“The market place for good design and style dissolved swiftly as it grew to become cost-point based,” he added. “Brionvega is about background, integrity and top quality. It is not about some crazy form that the planet may possibly not require but about a item that is very ordinary.” 
The shape of the gadget is based on Brionvega’s 1960s TS 207 handheld radio – a single of the earliest goods launched by the brand.
Created by Rodolfo Bonetto, the device slotted into a miniature leather satchel so it could be carried from place to location.
“At the time the TS 207 was designed it was like having an iPod,” stated Youthful.
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“It suited a culture that had an emerging music culture. Brionvega created a particular minute of moveable music, making use of a bag as a straightforward way to do so.”
“Now we all take this for granted with Bluetooth, earbuds and so on,” he added. “The important level is that Brionvega had a unique philosophy at the time to uncover area in the market place utilizing design and style as the crucial stage.”
Young’s WearIt speaker is produced from pressed aluminium, and attributes rounded corners and a detachable manage that enables the device to be carried about. It can be slotted into an accompanying leather shoulder bag for storage or transport.
The bags have a hole-punched cover, and are obtainable in various hues with the colour repeated on the speaker deal with. Brionvega intends to collaborate with Italian vogue houses on future specific editions.
The interface is minimum, with just four buttons to flip on power, handle volume and connect the speaker to a mobile cellphone.
The device relies on a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 24 hours, and can be connected to external gadgets with a USB slot. WearIt speakers can also be linked with each other to produce surround sound.
“We are not trying to change the planet with this item but we have a style culture that is respected for individuals who want it, ” mentioned Younger, who joins a expanding listing of designers turning their consideration to speakers.
Ross Lovegrove launched the Muo – a miniature model of his two-metre-tall Muon loudspeaker – at London Design and style Festival 2015, and French architect Jean Nouvel recently partnered with audio brand Amadeus to design a wood-encased speaker.
“I feel the [transportable speaker] industry is just overloaded,” Younger told Dezeen. “So to perform with a brand of historical past and culture is anything that one particular are not able to compete with.”
The WearIt speaker will launch at Amelie & Tulips in Hong Kong on 19 November.
