Will Atwood's profile

Spectracles

Will Atwood
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Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
A new take on flip-up eyewear
The design can be described as "Lamborghini lenses."  An elastic band brings the lenses up and down, the lenses held equal by gears– an overcenter linkage.  This allows the wearer to flip up and down effortlessly, and more importantly, stylishly.
 
 
 
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design

 
 
 
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
 
 
Lenses: Sunglasses and Diffraction
100% UV protection:
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Diffraction lenses explode light into its component wavelengths and amplify any light show experience.
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Flip in and flip out:
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
 
We created Spectracles in a variety of colors.
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Process: from Idea to Final Product
It all started with a few nuggets of inspiration...
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Interaction
Eye contact is a powerful form of communication.  A gaze can express volumes without words, which makes flip-up glasses an interesting and uniquely interactive piece of fashion.
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Utility
Switching between modes of vision with ease.  We explored what different types of lenses we could incorporate in flip-up glasses.
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Aesthetic Enhancement
Diffraction lenses separate light into its component wavelengths, creating a striking visual effect.  I experimented with overlaying multiple layers of diffraction at different angles, enhancing the effect even further.
 
Ideation
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Initially, my concept used the same classic paradigm of flip-up glasses... Historically, flip-up glasses have been designed so that the set of front lenses swing forward as one piece away from the wearer’s face, manually raised up until they rest in a vertical position.  My initial concept was only novel in that it integrated diffraction.
This design didn't feel innovative enough... back to the drawing board.
Conceptual Breakthrough
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
I had recently taken a class in mechanical systems design, and I contrived the use of gears to rotate the lenses in a different plane– a paradigm shift in flip-up glasses.
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
 
Prototyping
Progression of prototypes, using laser cutter, CNC, hinges, and epoxy
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Testing style, proportions, and fit, then refining the design accordingly
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
 
Design for Manufacturing
Working with my business partner Tom Berry, we designed models in CAD for injection molding, and worked closely with a mold toolmaker, Elfy, who was an amazing mentor.  Elfy actually worked with Apple to make the molds for the first iPod and iPhone!
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Once our prototypes and CAD looked good, we raised funds on Kickstarter to pay for initial costs.
Manufacturing
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
 
Reactions
First-time reactions to wearing Spectracles are priceless.
 
The beauty of the glasses is not to be experienced alone.  Aside from looking awesome, our customers have told us that their favorite aspect of Spectracles is sharing them with others and blowing minds.
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
"Oh my god these are amazing"
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
"OOOOHHHHH"
 
Spectracular Style
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Sunglasses glasses flip interaction Style gears lenses diffraction rainbow quirky cool injection molding manufacturing design
Spectracles
Published:
Will Atwood's profile

Owner

Will Atwood's profile
San Francisco, CA, USA

Spectracles

Working with my co-founder Tom Berry, we created Spectracles, a completely new design for flip-up eyewear.

Published:

Tools

Creative Fields

Attribution, Non-commercialAttribution, Non-commercial