It was mid-19th century architect and critic Augustus Pugin that first espoused the virtues of “honest design.” For him, material and assembly always had to be the star of the show. Simulacra – “surface level” imitations and fake representations purporting to be the real thing – were completely out of the question.
The sentiment continues to ring true today, especially when it comes to the distinctive approach of alternative consumer electronics brands like Nothing. Established by industry veteran Carl Pei, the UK-based boutique manufacturer champions a simple and transparent design vocabulary.
With active noise canceling and other audio technologies as advanced as they are, there’s no need to conceal the mechanism; wrap the apparatus in visually and formally disingenuous shells, ones that are often so sleek they slip out of the user’s finger never to be seen again.
Launched at almost the same time as Apple’s new AirPods 3, Nothing’s Ear (3) alternative is as honest in configuration as it is distinguishable.
Most luxury products – everything from perfume to cars – look the same these days. There’s little aesthetic variation between Mercedes and Dodge SUVs. Anything but an all white and amorphous device, the Ear (3) buds are defined by their transparent stems, fully exposing the inner workings.
The visually aligned case features a clear top and straight forward charging ports. There’s less risk of dust or other particles clogging up deep, hard to clean crevices; the reality of the previous mentioned competitor component. It’s larger but more manageable. A conspicuous “talk” bottom makes switching from listening to music to taking a call much more explicit, and easy.
Metal is also a key element of the Ear (3)’s intrinsic functionality and visual appeal. This attribute was accentuated in a dynamic installation – also highlighting the prevalence of the material in contemporary design these days – launching the product in New York in late September; just at the tail-end of fashion week.
“Nothing has always been about intentional design that stands apart,” said Jane Nho, Head of North America PR and Culture at Nothing. “With Ear (3), we’ve paired metal with our signature transparent elements – and this [display] explores how those design values can be reimagined across creative disciplines.”
Programmed in partnership with British fashion platform APOC Store and international platform for contemporary functional art ADORNO, the showcase was marked by a series of mound-like sculptures crafted by New York artist John Black to resemble cast aluminum. The forms were embedded with human ears holding the buds in place. In other instances, the case – fully opened – could be deciphered.
The same formations anchored photo-shoot rigging clothing racks and played off of equally evocative furnishings by Lucas Cambier, Studio S II, BOND Hardware, Mock Studio, Studio DAAE, among other contemporary designers.
“This collaboration shows how functional art can serve as a bridge between industries,” says Martin Clausen, co-founder of ADORNO. “The pieces on show are just as sculptural as they are functional, and I’m excited to witness this switch towards a more pragmatic design language.”
For more information on Nothing’s Ear (3) earbuds, visit nothing.tech.
Photography courtesy of Nothing.
