Iron Audio and Sound Equipment Design · 2026
Morningblues A1 Transparent Speaker
by Wuxi Future Mirror Display Technology Co., Ltd.
- A' Design Award 2026 Iron Winner in Audio and Sound Equipment Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Wuxi Future Mirror Display Technology Co., Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 5,296
- Verification code 15334CA195 · Verify this award
About Morningblues A1 Transparent Speaker
Morningblues A1 is a transparent speaker designed for home environments. A nano light guide plate and an ultra white glass surface make lyrics and other musical information appear to float in the air. The main body is made of eco-friendly ABS with a matte finish, which contrasts with the clear display area. Internal components, cables and the acoustic path are hidden inside the body to keep the form simple. A single knob controls volume and confirmation, while a dedicated app sets fonts, animations, white noise, a photo frame mode or a clock mode.
The Transparent Speaker designed by a specialized display technology studio represents a thoughtful convergence of acoustic engineering, visual display innovation, and contemporary industrial design, positioning functional audio equipment within an aesthetic framework that celebrates material transparency and chromatic luminosity as primary experiential qualities rather than relegating them to secondary decorative concerns. Working within traditions established by mid-century Scandinavian design principles that emphasized honest material expression, geometric clarity, and the integration of functional objects into domestic environments as considered aesthetic presences, this piece extends those historical concerns into the digital age through the incorporation of advanced display technologies that transform the utilitarian speaker enclosure into a dynamic visual canvas, the translucent front panel revealing stratified layers of warm earth tones, burnt sienna, amber ochre, dusty rose, and soft lavender that flow organically across the surface like backlit geological cross-sections or atmospheric gradients captured in resin. The compositional achievement lies in the sophisticated balance between geometric precision and organic chromatic fluidity, the rectangular format and circular speaker elements providing clear structural anchors while the dissolved color boundaries and translucent layering create visual softness and depth, this interplay between hard and soft, defined and diffused, mechanical and natural establishing a visual vocabulary that feels simultaneously contemporary and timeless, technological and humanistic. The chromatic accomplishment merits particular attention, the analogous warm palette demonstrating restraint and sophistication, avoiding the oversaturated or artificial appearance that often characterizes consumer electronics displays in favor of earthy, naturalistic hues that reference mineral strata, autumn landscapes, or sunset atmospheres, these colors gaining additional complexity through their translucent application which allows layering and internal luminosity to create depth and variation, passages of rich saturation alternating with ethereal translucency as the eye moves across the surface. The technical facility evident in the integration of multiple functional elements including dual speaker drivers, digital time display, control interface, and what appears to be modular display technology into a unified compact form demonstrates considerable design intelligence, each component maintaining its functional legibility while contributing to the overall aesthetic harmony, the precise circular speaker membranes with their concentric ribbing providing rhythmic visual interest while serving acoustic purposes, the time display offering practical utility while grounding the composition in human domestic rhythm, and the burnt orange control element on the side panel introducing a warm metallic accent that enlivens the matte charcoal frame. This work seems to explore the question of how everyday technological objects might transcend pure utility to become sources of aesthetic contemplation within domestic environments, how the speaker one glances at while working or relaxing might offer not merely sound but visual presence that shifts with ambient light and viewing angle, transforming a functional device into something closer to a luminous sculptural object or contained landscape. The piece participates in ongoing design discourse surrounding the softening of technology, the humanization of digital interfaces, and the integration of smart devices into living spaces in ways that feel inviting and organic rather than coldly mechanical or obtrusive, the warm color palette and translucent materiality working to demystify the technological apparatus and render it approachable, even meditative. One might observe how the designer has chosen to make visible rather than conceal the speaker drivers, treating them as honest functional elements that contribute to rather than detract from the visual composition, this gesture of material honesty aligning with design traditions that value transparency of construction and forthright expression of purpose. How does this convergence of acoustic function, digital display capability, timekeeping utility, and chromatic visual presence suggest new possibilities for the designed objects that populate contemporary domestic spaces, and what might it invite us to consider about the potential for everyday technology to offer not merely convenience or entertainment but also beauty, contemplation, and sensory richness that extends beyond the purely auditory into the realm of visual poetry and ambient luminosity?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This speaker embraces the concept of audiovisual sharing, using an innovative transparent display to make lyrics, melody, and musical information appear to float in the middle of the air, transforming music from a purely auditory experience into an immersive spatial narrative that can be seen and felt. The speaker immerses users in a space that bridges the real and the virtual, redefining how users interact with music.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- product dimensions, 525 mm x 140 mm x 322 mm
- Tags
- Transparent Display, Floating Lyrics, Audiovisual Sharing, Music Visualization, Home Integration, Minimalist Aesthetics, Dynamic Display, Scene Adaptive Experience
- Production Technology
- Its interior includes a nano light guide plate while the exterior is covered with ultra white glass, ensuring clear, floating visuals. The main body is made of ecofriendly ABS material, finished with a delicate matte texture that feels warm and soft to the touch, providing a pleasant contrast to the transparent display area and adding depth to the visual experience.
- Design Challenge
- One of the main design challenges was concealing all the internal components within the transparent body to avoid visual clutter from cables or complex structures. The design team carefully redefined the acoustic path, organizing the speakers, circuits, and wiring so that the functional components remain invisible but audible, ensuring high sound quality while preserving the transparency of the design.
- Project Duration
- The project was completed in January 2020 in Wuxi, Jiangsu, and launched through crowdfunding, raising over 6 million CNY in its first round, achieving 100 percent of its funding goal. The second generation product is expected to be released between May and June 2026.
- Operation Flow
- The speaker features only a single knob for volume adjustment and confirmation. More advanced settings are handled through the dedicated app. Users can set the font style and animation of dynamic lyrics, combine white noise and scene effects, or switch to digital photo frame or artistic clock. It keeps the interface simple while allowing customization for different scenarios and personal preferences. This ensures that every interaction fits the mood and needs of users.
- Research
- The speaker tackles the limitations of traditional speakers like design homogeneity, difficulty integrating into home environments, and the limited emotional expression. Rather than focusing only on audio, it visualizes lyrics and emotions, connecting hearing and seeing. With its minimalist form and versatile content display, the speaker naturally blends into living spaces, turning from a functional into an emotionally engaging home device, balancing aesthetic value and practical functionality.
- Inspiration
- The design is inspired by Eastern aesthetics, particularly the concepts of ethereal and negative space. It aims to create a space where music feels alive and free, using transparent display. The ritual of floating display cases in museums and the warm, intuitive interactions of vintage radios also play a key role in shaping the design. Overall, the speaker is designed to blend seamlessly into its environment, becoming an integral part of the space it occupies.