Engineers and Designers are an entrepreneurial bunch, always looking at problems, coming up with ideas and turning them into products. Heck, GrabCAD was started by two Engineers! So when we hear about new startups, we always spread the word.
Sönke Dierks is a freelance 3D modeler and product designer, usually posting futuristic aircraft (check this fantastic yet unfinished VTOL aircraft). He also put his talents towards designing the Karmawood Sunglasses. He contacted me last week to tell me about their first design that they intend to sell starting in January. These aren't plastic sunglasses - Sönke's sunglasses feature all-wood frames, carved by a CNC machine.
The whole frame is made from biomass - wood, as it is commonly called - a carbon-negative yet light and rigid material. Ergonomics was key. Sönke told me "The sunglasses were developed in close cooperation with leading optometrists according ergonomic aspects of the human face and skull." Lenses are coated with a UV-filter to protect the eyes. Polarized lenses coming out soon!
As Sönke described it, for the "wayfarer type" there's the Monument
Consider yourself an edgy fellow? Try on the Urban Warrior.
Airhead - Aviators at their best.
This 'Cat-eyed' design is called The Lady.
OK, the name Karmawood wouldn't have been chosen if there was no Karma involved. One Euro from every pair purchases goes towards funding an Indonesian school. CEO Trutz von Klodt worked in Jakarta years earlier. These pictures here are of some of children product testing the first prototypes.
We believe that education can pave the way many people out of poverty. From this conviction and personal contacts out our commitment to the Yayasan Cipta Mindiri in Indonesia has emerged. This school on the outskirts of Jakarta, children and adolescents aged 10 to 24 years the chance of free education outside of the public school program. The currently 145 children receive instruction in English and mathematics, learn with computers to handle, cook and sew. It also supports the Yayasan Cipta Mindiri individual families with school fees. This device is more than just a place for training and homework help. It is a Rumbah Pempinaan. This old Indonesian word describing a place of education, self-discovery and security. The children and young people there are from the poorest backgrounds and get such a real opportunity offered to get out of this environment. We found this great commitment and worthy of support and therefore donate one euro for every sold glasses to the Yayasan Cipta Mandiri.
To top it off, Sönke shared with me a 10 minute tutorial about how he design the sunglasses in Rhino. Give it a look!
http://youtu.be/Oh85cwUC1Uc
Sönke hopes to roll out the final product for sale in January. Sign up for the latest news and get your hands on the wooden wonders of Karmawood, or follow their Facebook page here.
