Panasonic debuts a noise-canceling design at SXSW 2018 that not only stops audio distraction, but limits visual ones as well. The 'Wear Space' concept is a collaborative effort between the electronics brand and Japanese fashion designer Kunihiko Morinaga. The product is specifically designed to foster distraction-free work flow in the open concept office, coffee spaces or in the digital age altogether. The noise-canceling design does not only incorporate audio-blocking headphones, but also "a glorified horse blinder."
The Wear Space product is definitely a response to consumer's "collective concentration deficit." With that in mind, Panasonic also sought out to make a more fashion-forward and visually accessible silhouette for its product through the thoughtful collaboration with a Japanese fashion designer.
Digital Age Blinders
Panasonic Helps Consumers Concentrate with Innovative Noise-Cancelling Design
Trend Themes
1. Distraction-free Workspaces - The collaborative effort between Panasonic and Kunihiko Morinaga resulted in a noise-canceling design that aims to foster distraction-free work flow, creating opportunities for other businesses to re-evaluate productivity needs in the workplace.
2. Multi-sensory Noise-cancelling - Wear Space goes beyond the audio-blocking headphones by also introducing visual limitations to foster greater concentration, opening up opportunities for companies to create similar multi-sensory products for focus and creativity.
3. Panasonic X Fashion Collaboration - The collaboration between Panther and Kunihiko Morinag has generated interest in fashion x tech partnerships, creating emerging opportunities for disruptive innovation between fashion and technology industries.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - The noise-canceling technology in Wear Space fosters distraction-free workplace productivity, making it a desirable tech feature for other electronics manufacturers to incorporate in their products.
2. Fashion Design - The collaboration between Panasonic and Kunihiko Morinaga shows there is potential for innovative collaborations between fashion and technology, especially in terms of designing multi-sensory products that aim to improve wellbeing or productivity.
3. Office Furniture & Workspace Design - Wear Space aims to create distraction-free work spaces through a combination of technology and design, which could influence the furniture and workspace design industry in creating products and solutions that contribute to workplace productivity and wellness.