A poster showing a traditional loudspeaker that can play real
music is being launched this week by the designer Finn Magee. The
poster is one of the first commercial products to feature Coventry
firm Warwick Audio Technologies' Flat and Flexible Loudspeakers,
which have been incorporated into the back of the poster.
Because they are as thin and lightweight as a sheet of paper,
the speakers have enabled Finn to pull off a neat visual trick: his
poster looks like a regular picture, but a cable leaving the image
can be connected to any music player, allowing viewers to become
listeners.
The poster forms part of Finn's "Flat Life" series, which also
includes a working desk lamp and alarm clock presented in poster
form. It will be launched in the UK at Mint Shop, London, as part
of the London Design Festival, from 17 - 25 September 2011.
"I'd been thinking about adding a loudspeaker to the series, and
came across Warwick Audio Technologies by chance," says Finn. "I
immediately realised their speakers were perfect for what I had in
mind: it's an amazing technology and I can't wait to see it working
in other products as well."
Warwick Audio Technologies was set up to commercialise the
innovative loudspeakers which were first developed at the
University of Warwick. At between 0.25 and 1mm thick, the speakers
can be contoured to fit into almost any space and the company is
currently developing commercial product ideas with a wide range of
companies, including car manufacturers and conference equipment
manufacturers.
Derek Mottershead, Chairman of Warwick Audio Technologies, says:
"We're delighted to be working with Finn on this project. His flat
life posters offer a demonstration of some of the unique features
of our technology that is both clever and simple."
The posters, which were produced entirely in the UK, are made
from a coated plastic that make them durable, while still
lightweight and flexible. They cost £250 each and will be
available via the Mint Shop website, at www.mintshop.co.uk. In the
US, the posters are available from the auction house Phillips De
Pury & Company, based in New York, where they retail at
$400.