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 L' Encercle Sunglasses

Created for a Human Factors Research study focusing on users who require glasses & wear hearing aids. L’Encercle (lon-ser-kluh) is a futuristic styled product that explores shapes outside of traditional glasses, in favor of a more avant garde perspective. 

Skills Used  

01

Sketching 

02

CAD  

03

3D Printing & Physical Prototyping 

04

Research & Development

The Team


Jaylee

User research, initial digital prototyping, ideation


Caleb 

User research, final 3D form development

 

Research 


Design Criteria


Created based on user reviews, interviews and from user feedback from initial ideas.

Hearing Aid Compatible 

Designs must be cautious of the ear area, and the final glasses should be comfortable to wear with hearing aids or implants.

Accessory

Aesthetically speaking, the glasses should feel attractive and inspire confidence within the user. They must not feel like a medical device, but more a fashionable addition to one's wardrobe. 

Protective & Storage

Design must be protective of eye region from UVA/UVB light and include a storage apparatus for keeping the lenses safe. 


Concept Development


Initial Prototypes

Pour Homme: Sunglasses 

  • Features adjustable headpiece (folds down for storage)
  • Interchangeable lenses 




User Feedback: 

  • Enjoyed the aesthetic appeal (noted that it felt sporty)
  • Wanted to see how it could be more futuristic 


Pour Femme: Sunglasses

  • Features snap front lenses 
  • Back holster style headpiece 


User Feedback: 

  • Felt too sharp on back 
  • Users wanted only 1 extension throughout the head area
  • Worried about the angles getting caught on hair 

Eye Line Sunglasses


  • Features singular extension across forehead & head for application 
  • Material: PLA 3D printed (CAD designed)


User Feedback: 

  • Wanted additional stability 
  • Improvements to aesthetic 
  • Liked futuristic shapes & less interference than first two

Final Prototype


Glasses 


  • Features shield style glasses, a wrap around frame


This final prototype was created in CAD, then resin 3D printed. Glasses were created using a mold, and vacuum formed plastic for a shield shape.

Storage Case


  • Features full front zipper 
  • Satin exterior, lined satin interior, 100% polyester 


What we would change:

Glasses

Improve Lens 

Due to prototyping limitations, we could not create a tinted plastic that people could successfully see out of, and that protected them in actuality from UVA/UVB light. 

Metal Banding

Should these glasses ever be actually produced, the materials would change from a 3D print to being constructed of bendable metal. 


Case

Additional Padding

For maximum protection, the case should be a bit stiffer and include more plush inserts so that the lenses can be protected from dropping/extreme conditions.

Smaller Shape

Using metal for the glasses shape would allow for a smaller case structure, since its contents could be condensed without breaking.