I encountered this innovative eyeglass tray on the design blog Swiss Miss and followed a trail to the blog BBlinks which eventually led me to the homepage of designer Fiona Carswell. She explains the piece as follows:
“When the glasses are in the tray, the eye chart appears in focus. When the glasses are removed, it becomes blurry.
Concept for an eyeglass tray using theromochromatic ink and a pressure sensor.”
Fiona has a number of other projects on her site, including a Smoking Jacket, Malignant Mole Bikinis, and Co-Dependent Gloves, but the other one that really caught my eye was her washable electronic quilt. It was developed to be a recording and playback device for a girl Fiona describes to be non-verbal and mobility challenged. The pleasing exterior hides all of the complex circuitry constructed with soft materials and fabrics.
What an excellent solution to communicate in unconventional ways and also help to “normalize” perceptions of someone with serious life challenges
