Geometry unbound
Soriana is an armchair designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for the Cassina brand
Exploring Boundaries
As designers, we're constantly seeking new perspectives to create products that resonate deeply with people. My recent research assignment, guided by insightful discussions with my instructor, took me down a fascinating path: exploring the concept of genderless luxury products and their potential to inform the design of smart eyewear that appeals universally to both men and women.
The core idea was to challenge traditional design boundaries. How can a product be bold and design-forward, yet appeal to a mass market of diverse individuals without resorting to gendered aesthetics? The answer, I discovered, lies in several key design elements, one of which was the masterful use of geometry – creating forms that simultaneously evoke both traditionally masculine qualities like strength, structure, and precision, and feminine qualities such as fluidity, elegance, and balance.
Design Without Division
My exploration drew inspiration from design-forward products. I explored the world of high art modular furniture , iconic automobiles , precision-engineered pens , and sophisticated electronic and audio equipment. The goal was to understand how these diverse products achieve universal appeal, becoming desirable without being explicitly designed for one gender over another.
A prime example that profoundly influenced my thinking is Dieter Rams' 620 Chair Programme for Vitsœ. Rams, a titan of functional design, engineered the 620 Chair not as a static piece, but as a modular kit of parts. A single armchair can become part of a sofa, a low back can be swapped for a high one, and the base can even be changed from castors to feet. This inherent adaptability and focus on longevity mean the chair is designed to serve varying needs and preferences over time, for any customer. Rams said about the chair that he achieved "the comfort of a classic armchair while remaining visually light". The chair’s clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and emphasis on user-centric functionality over fleeting trends make it a timeless piece that appeals to many, embodying the very essence of genderless design through its brilliant form and adaptability.
Designing Bold Eyewear With Universal Appeal
This principle directly translates to my ambition for smart eyewear. By focusing on Form & Geometry, I can craft frames that balance a combination of masculine boldness with clean lines while also exploring more feminine subtle curves, creating a silhouette that feels both robust and refined. Through Materiality & Finish, I can select premium, sophisticated and understated textures that speak to inherent quality rather than gendered stereotypes. Also that I should not shy away from Color, but use a palette that breaks stereotypical connections. When a color choice is perceived as enhancing a product's function or timelessness, it inherently transcends gender.
