Designing and creating eyewear requires a succinct combination of art, science, and technology. Whether you opt for PolyJet 3D Printing or a more traditional manufacturing type, the journey from concept to final product is a complex one. For instance, it requires multiple stages, each of which requires careful consideration and expertise. From fashionable eyeglasses to functional safety goggles, the process of designing eyewear is equally intricate and multifaceted. To that end, detailed below are just some of the key considerations when it comes to designing and creating eyewear.
Understanding the Market and Trends
Before anything else, you need to understand the market and current trends. This means keeping up to date with fashion movements, consumer preferences, and technological advancements. For example, the demand for eco-friendly materials has never been so high, as the focus is on sustainability more so than ever. What’s more, smart glasses with technological integration have also skyrocketed in popularity.
In order to develop an understanding of the market, you’ll need to study competitors, analyze consumer feedback, and predict future trends. With this information, designers are able to craft products that meet the needs and preferences of the consumer while still remaining aesthetically pleasing.
Concept Development
Brainstorming and sketching initial ideas allow you to develop concepts that align with the market landscape. Typically speaking, designers will create mood boards to visualize the aesthetic direction and draw inspiration from multiple sources like nature, art, architecture, and fashion.
Designers consider their target audience when going through this concept development stage. For instance, eyewear for professionals might comprise sleek and modern designs, whereas products for an older demographic might prioritize comfort and durability. Meanwhile, when it comes to sports eyewear, the functionality for this will differ greatly from the likes of reading glasses.
Material Selection
The choice of materials makes a massive impact on eyewear design, which is why it’s unequivocally vital that the right materials are selected. The product’s durability, weight, comfort, and aesthetic appeal will all be affected by the choice of materials. Some of the most common materials include acetate, metal, and TR-90 nylon.
Prototyping and Design Refinement
Once the materials have been chosen, designers can start to refine their ideas with prototypes. This requires them to create physical models with computer-aided design (CAD) software, which allows them to create detailed 3D models. With the help of prototyping, designers can identify potential issues with fit, comfort, and aesthetics.
Ergonomics sits at the center of this stage, as it’s essential that eyewear sits comfortably on all face shapes and sizes. In order to create a secure and comfortable fit, the nose pads, temple length, and frame all need to be adjusted.
What’s more, prototyping gives designers the means to play around with various color schemes, textures, and finishes. As a result, this is the stage in which early concepts are given life and fine-tuned to perfection.
Manufacturing
After the design has been finalized, this is when the manufacturing process kicks off. Cutting, forming, assembling, and finishing are just some of the stages that are involved here.
Quality Control
Within the eyewear creation process, quality control is essential. Every piece is rigorously tested to guarantee that it meets industry standards and customer expectations. The testing involves durability checks, comfort assessments, optical clarity evaluations and, of course, safety analyses. It’s only when eyewear passes every single one of these tests that it’s approved to be sold.
All in all, a lot goes into designing and creating eyewear. This is down to the fact that it impacts the safety of individuals. For eyewear to hit the market, it must meet these safety standards.
