2023
Client
Independent
Role
Product Designer
Overview
An original concept quad lens camera, designed in response to growing divide between real and digital identities.
Problem Statement
While I watched the announcement of the Apple Vision Pro live from my living room, I realised how gladly disconnected from the world we are becoming. I wanted to find a way to capture moments without interfering with your experience, getting rid of the digital barrier between reality and the user.
Objectives
Conceptualise a product that meets an ethical stance on connection.
Follow best practices for product design, including material and production considerations.
Create a series of final renders.
User Research
Connection Issue: That is, the human connection. Everyone I talked to expressed concern with the phenomena of watching moments happen through the phone, creating a significant disconnect between people.
Lightweight: Although film photography and polaroids have made a steady comeback, the equipment is often bulky and/or requires special areas to setup. Users want a product that slips into the pocket along with their phone and keys.
Uncomplicated: I found that people are often intimidated by the settings on a DSLR, and want a camera that they can understand and intuitively use.
Designs
Learnings
Size Matters: Having 3D printed a to-scale model of the product, I realised that I had made it too small. It is big enough to see sufficiently through the eye hole, and could conceivably house the appropriate electronics, but it is so small that you can't help but fumble around with it.
Use in Situ: Using the 3D printed model, I realised that the circular nature of the product makes it quite hard to hold. The idea was to take square photos from any angle due to the multi-lens approach, but ease of use for the button has not been considered enough.
Design for Engineers: Throughout the design process, I did a tremendous amount of research on the necessary components for a camera like this. It is certainly viable, however considering most components are built for grid based systems (namely batteries), this would be a complex product to manufacture.
