Layer launches LightVision headset to enable "powerful meditation"

Design studio Layer has created LightVision, a headset unveiled at Design Miami during Miami art week that uses an LED light matrix to turn nature videos into biomorphic patterns to help users meditate.

The LightVision headset aims to make meditation easier by combining traditional techniques with vibration, sound and light, which it says helps users relax and change their pattern of thoughts.

It was designed for US startup Resonate by design studio [Layer](https://layerdesign.com/#top-page), whose founder Benjamin Hubert described the headset as a way to make the meditation process more accessible.

The LightVision headset was designed to help users meditate

"It's certainly novel, as physical hardware like this has never been used in this space – we've had digital apps for years, but moving that digital experience to hardware that removes the need to 'learn' how to meditate makes the process more accessible and far more effective," Hubert told Dezeen.

Layer's meditation headset uses an LED light matrix – a grid of small individual LEDs close together – that turns nature videos, including videos of trees swaying in the breeze and films of swimming fish, into biomorphic patterns.

These can be seen through closed eyes and are used together with synchronised vibrations and a soundtrack of monaural and binaural beats and isochronic tones – single tones at regular intervals – to activate the brain's "frequency-following" response.

An LED light matrix shows biomorphic images

The LED light matrix "allows powerful meditation to be attained simply and effortlessly, regardless of level of experience," Layer said. The different visual and auditory effects combine to guide the user's mind to deep meditative states.

"According to studies conducted by Resonate, users report a 51 per cent decrease in stress and anxiety levels after a single 20-minute Resonate session," the brand said.

LightVision has a minimalist design with an exterior casing that was developed to follow the contours of the user's face to create "complete immersion".

The headset is wrapped in textile

Inside the headset, a widescreen LED matrix display shows the biomorphic patterns. Its brightness, as well as the volume settings, can be controlled via an interface at the underside of the headset.

The headset's casing is wrapped in textile, and it features an adjustable strap with metallic branding details.

[

Read:

Layer and Panasonic aim to enhance your wellbeing with collection of smart devices

](https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/01/layer-panasonic-balance-of-being-technology-design-wellbeing/)

"These details bring the tech accessory closer to a piece of fashion," Layer said.

"The design also expresses the product's functionality. Lighting strips, for example, frame the internal edges of the headset casting light on the face to create an outward expression of the meditation experience and acting as a 'do not disturb' signal to others."

Lights on the face create a 'do not disturb signal

Though people might think of and use meditation as a way to escape from our tech-surrounded everyday lives, Hubert believes the solution could be to refocus the technology that we use, rather than avoid it.

"We shouldn't feel the need to get away from tech per se, only what the tech does (or doesn't do) for us, absolutely escape your emails, time your social media, stop binge-watching media, get away from your Zoom calls…. but then why not re-focus tech to help us be better?" Hubert added.

Previous designs by his studio include a collection of smart devices made to increase wellbeing and the packaging and branding for wellness brand Never Go Alone.

LightVision launched during Miami art week and production units will begin shipping next year.

_LightVision launched atDesign Miami, which takes place during Miami art week. _SeeDezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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Brands don't prioritise sustainability "unless they see dollar signs" says Benjamin Hubert

Leading design brands need to stop valuing affordability over sustainability or risk becoming obsolete, according to Layer founder Benjamin Hubert.

Despite a growing number of companies touting their environmental initiatives, the designer revealed that in product development meetings "cost is always the conversation".

"Unless you can stand up in front of the C-suite of a company and justify how something generates the same or more revenue, then the sustainability question isn't even considered," [Hubert](https://layerdesign.com/#top-page) explained.

"The reality is, particularly for big companies, unless they can see dollar signs next to advancements it's very difficult to get them to trade off."

Benjamin Hubert (top image) has designed the Hula 46 stool for Andreu World (above)

To make a difference, designers have to learn to advocate for the necessary material innovation and retooling from a business perspective, he said, and actively seek out companies that are willing to make these investments.

"I think the thought leaders will lead and everyone else will follow," he said. "So it's about finding and engaging with the right people."

"Anybody that's not doing it now or thinking about it will end up being behind the curve. They have to be doing it now or they die."

Andreu World among brands investing in materials

The designer made the comments as part of a live Dezeen panel talk with Andreu World CEO Jesús Llinares to mark the launch of the brand's new book Conversations About Work, which looks at the working practices of eight renowned designers.

Hubert is featured alongside Patricia Urquiola and Philippe Starck after collaborating with the Spanish furniture brand on the Hula stool and the upcoming Triada table, both made from infinitely recyclable aluminium.

Andreu World is among the companies that have increased their investment in research and development in recent years, Llinares explained, with the aim of making its entire product catalogue circular by 2025.

"We are hoping to use materials that are 100 per cent recycled and 100 per cent recyclable," he said.

** [

Read:

Benjamin Hubert creates packaging and branding for wellness brand Never Go Alone

](https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/16/benjamin-hubert-packaging-branding-never-go-alone-layer/) **

With this aim, the company launched three proprietary materials last year including a thermoplastic called Pure ECO and a synthetic yarn called Circular ONE, both made from recycled plastic and recyclable at the end of their life.

The final material is BIO, a bioplastic synthesised by living microorganisms, which the brand claims is both recyclable and compostable as well as having a carbon footprint equivalent to that of wood.

"Now, it's only available in some colours but in the next few years, we want to do it for the whole catalogue," Llinares said.

"We want to work through the designs that we have in our actual portfolio one by one to see how we can optimise the circularity."

Production will be carbon neutral by 2025

Whether the final products are considered circular will depend on how often they can be recycled and whether they are recycled at all, which is only the case for around nine per cent of plastics globally.

Unlike companies such as Takt and Sebastian Cox, Andreu World has not shared a goal for reaching net-zero emissions as a business in line with the targets set out in the Paris Agreement.

But the brand has committed itself to making its production carbon neutral by 2025.

Hubert is the founder of London studio Layer

Beyond moving away from virgin and fossil fuel-based materials, this will see Andreu World switch to all renewable energy by the end of next year and build a dedicated solar farm for its new production centre, which is set to open in early 2022.

"Sustainability for us is mandatory," Llinares explained. "There is no choice."

"Obviously, companies have to be economic but that's the challenge," he continued. "And it's a beautiful challenge."

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Watch a live talk on the creative process with Benjamin Hubert and Andreu World

Dezeen has teamed up with Andreu World for a live talk with British industrial designer Benjamin Hubert, who features in a new book by the Spanish furniture brand about how designers work. Watch live from 3:00pm London time.

The talk coincides with the launch of Conversations About Work, a new book by Andreu World that takes an inside look at the working practices of eight renowned designers, including Hubert, Patricia Urquiola and Philippe Starck.

Hubert, who founded London-based design studio Layer, will appear on the panel alongside Andreu World's CEO Jesús Llinares.

The pair will speak to Dezeen's founder and editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs about the creative process and what it means to different designers.

The talk will also explore how Hubert approached his previous designs for Andreu World, including a bar stool collection named Hula and an upcoming collection called Triada.

Industrial designer Benjamin Hubert

Hubert is a British industrial designer and entrepreneur. He established an eponymous design studio in London in 2011, which he renamed Layer four years later. The studio has worked on projects with brands such as Bang & Olufsen, Airbus, Panasonic and Moroso, and start-up Nolii.

Previous projects by the practice include an electrical scooter that learns your regular routes through AI, and an anti-bacterial cinema seat designed for social distancing.

Layer has worked with clients including Nike, Pepsi, Herman Miller and Braun. Hubert also takes on not-for-profit projects like cancer charity Maggie's, and acts as a mentor to young designers through Layer.

Jesús Llinares, CEO of Andreu World

Prior to becoming Andreu World's CEO in 2011, Llinares joined the brand in 2001 as an assistant to the brand's general management, before becoming its general director in 2002.

Andreu World was founded in 1955 in Valencia, Spain. The company produces furniture designs for public spaces, hospitality, and work environments, as well as for the home.

Whilst under Llinares' direction the company was awarded the National Design Award in 2007. Andreu World has showrooms across Spain, Europe, North America and Asia, and its furniture is stocked by shops in more than 90 countries.

Partnership content

This talk was produced by Dezeen for Andreu World as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen's partnership contenthere.

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Layer creates slim Beosound Emerge bookshelf speaker for Bang & Olufsen

Benjamin Hubert's studio Layer has designed a new speaker for Bang & Olufsen to deliver high-performance audio in a small and subtle format.

The Beosound Emerge has a narrow wedge shape and warm materiality that is meant to make it look more like a domestic object than a piece of technology.

Above: the Beosound Emerge is available in a golden finish. Top image: the speaker can blend in with its surroundings

It is the second speaker [Layer](https://layerdesign.com/#top-page) has designed for audio brand Bang & Olufsen after 2020's Balance, and it continues that product's use of timber, fabric and anodised aluminium.

There are also book-like touches — the thin oak panel wraps around the speaker like a book cover, while the placement of the Bang & Olufsen logo recalls an author's name on the spine of a book.

The speaker occupies a smaller footprint than other Bang & Olufsen designs

Bang & Olufsen wanted to explore the potential of a super-slim design that would occupy a smaller footprint than its other speakers, so it could be placed on a bookshelf or other tight spot. The Beosund Emerge's footprint is just 6.7 centimetres.

The company also wanted a subtle design that wouldn't dominate in whatever room it's placed.

"Traditionally Bang & Olufsen speakers are quite statement, and they're quite often large," Hubert told Dezeen. "Even the Balance speaker we did before, whilst not as statement at some of their old-school stuff, was still a little bit out there."

"It's nice to do something nuanced and subtle, in the context of Bang & Olufsen's history of statements."

The product is also available in black

While the Beosound Emerge aesthetic is meant to be quiet, its sound is not.

The speaker produces 180-degree sound, although only its top-end driver, a 0.6-inch tweeter, faces forwards, while the 1.45-inch mid-range driver is angled sideways. The four-inch woofers are omnidirectional, with low frequencies sent out through the base and bounced off the walls into the room.

Hubert added that it takes "a really clever array of heat sinks" to produce big sound through such a small device.

The gold version of the speaker has an oak wrap

Another recent innovation for Bang & Olufsen, initiated with the previous Beosound Level, is replaceable parts that give the product a longer lifespan. If the connectivity and streaming technology in Emerge becomes outdated, the relevant module can be replaced.

The speaker can be controlled by voice via Google Assistant, or there are manual controls on the top of the device.

Parts can be replaced so that the speaker has a longer lifespan

The Gold Tone version of the device features an oak cover with woven Kvadrat textile and pearl-blasted anodised aluminium. There is also a Black Anthracite model with a pearl-blasted aluminium grill and polymer side panels marked with a vertical corrugated pattern.

It continues a trend of the last few years for more warm and tactile tech products, of which Google has been a key proponent.

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Crop outdoor seating by Benjamin Hubert for Allermuir

**Dezeen Showroom: **outdoor furniture company Allermuir has launched Crop, a colourful collection of chairs and stools designed by Benjamin Hubert of London-based studio Layer.

The Crop range features a bar stool, lounge chair and two dining chairs, available with and without armrests.

The range is distinguished by its stackable steel rod frame, with robot-welded wires forming the seat and backrests.

The Crop range includes stackable dining chairs

Crop's graphic lines were honed through multiple rounds of drawings and 3D models, with Hubert taking inspiration from the parallel crop fields dotted across the British countryside.

"This connection with the natural world allows the collection to sit sensitively in an outdoor context, relating each piece to its surroundings through a shared visual rhythm," explain Allermuir.

"This relationship between the product and the great outdoors is enhanced by the dynamic interplay of light and shadow produced as the sun moves across the linear graphic structure."

Also included is a lounge chair and barstool

Crop seating comes with removable cushions for increased comfort and is available in six muted hues – olive, pastel green, ivory, black, blush and teal.

The range is waterproof, durable and at home in residential, hospitality and commercial environments.

Product:Crop outdoor furniture
Brand: Allermuir
Designer: Benjamin Hubert of Layer
Contact:info@allermuir.com

About Dezeen Showroom: Dezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details emailshowroom@dezeen.com.

Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership contenthere.

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