Panasonic and Vitra unveil transparent OLED screen at Milan Design Week

If you, like us, think the television is the bane of any living room – a black, rectangular eyesore, then this is just the thing for you. Electronics giant, Panasonic, revealed a transparent OLED concept display at Salone del Mobile this year. The innovative concept was presented as part of the installation by Vitra, the Swiss furniture brand.

What we love the most about it is that the transparent OLED display resembles a cabinet with a sleek wooden frame holding what appears to be a pane of glass (say goodbye to steel and black frames!). This allows it to blend naturally into any contemporary living space. However, the moment the device is switched on, it transforms into a vivid OLED display. The transparent OLED display converts from something meant to be seen into something meant to be watched.

The OLED cabinet consists of materials such as wood, metal and glass. The technological components are cleverly concealed within the wooden frame, which doubles as a stand for the device. A lighting element which enhances the viewing and ambient experience, is also directly and unobtrusively housed in the frame. “Approaching design from a perspective of space and behaviour opened up our eyes to new ideas and a clear direction for our design. In the case of the transparent display, we aimed to create something that is a very passive and harmonious object that can suddenly transform into a lively and dynamic element,” reveals Michael Shadovitz, Designer, Panasonic Design.

Developed as a result of a conceptual research project by Panasonic and Vitra, it combines Vitra’s expertise in furniture and space design - with Panasonic’s focus on using advanced technologies to improve lives. Scandinavian  designer, Daniel Rybakken, worked closely together with Panasonic Design, Kyoto, to create the transparent OLED display, which is the first idea from this collaboration to come to fruition. “The model carefully balances between art and design. As a screen it no longer dictates its placement nor its role in the living space. The dominating large black surface is instead transformed into something that can highlight what’s behind, what is displayed or nothing at all,” says Rybakken about the concept of the piece.