Alfredo Häberli Design Development

To mark the 10th anniversary of the eyewear brand by Nirvan Javan, I developed a collaborative collection of five models that explore the relationship between typography, geometry and precision. The starting point for the project was my long-standing interest in eyewear as everyday objects. Few products are worn so consistently and are so closely linked to the individual. A pair of glasses is not only functional, but becomes part of the expression and presence of a person. For this collection, the design approach was inspired by the logic of typeface design. In typography, character often arises from subtle transitions: from thick to thin lines, between curves and edges, and between shapes and spaces. These principles have been applied to the frames, where small differences in proportions and line thickness give the five models a distinctive identity. The collection is based on five geometric starting points, each developed with careful attention to silhouette, nose bridge design and the integration of the hinge area. The aim was to create a family of eyewear with clear formal coherence, while giving each model its own personality, which can be associated with one of Zurich’s city districts. Technical development also played an important role. The frames were produced using 3d printing in combination with an innovative hinge solution, thereby combining contemporary production methods with a refined design language. Technology was not used as a visual statement in itself, but as a means to achieve clarity, comfort and precision. Designed and developed in Switzerland, the collection reflects a shared interest in observation, nuances and the cultural dimension of everyday objects, which also cuts a fashionable figure on the cosmopolitan stage.