Innovative class project at KCAD has students designing eyewear for international competition

For students in Tom Edwards' KCAD Industrial Design class this semester, the future is so bright, they have to wear shades. Literally.

Edwards has entered an entire class of students into the 2015 International Eyewear Design Competition, hosted by optical company OWP Brillen. To assist students with their designs effectively in what is, for many of them an unfamiliar medium, he has enlisted the help of Bob Schulze, a 30-plus year veteran of the optical industry and co-owner of Holland-based GLOBE Design & Vision.   

Edwards says this class project fits the real-world rigor he tries to design into his classes at KCAD. "Each semester I look for a project that will offer a unique and interesting opportunity for the students, and one which will enhance the reputation of the Industrial Design program at KCAD," he says. "The OWP International Eyewear Design Contest for students fit the bill perfectly."

Not only do class projects like this help students become better designers, they create a classroom where the learning is the result of hands-on experience while using many of the design tools and processes they will need after graduating. "We are currently in week seven of the project and the students are engaged and excited," says Edwards. "To make it more interesting, each student took 2D photographs and a 3D scan of their head to use as reference underlays for the design of their frames. And we are using our 3D digital modeling equipment to fabricate wearable prototypes. The students are walking around the college wearing their designs, soliciting feedback."

Edwards credits the mentorship of Bob Schulze as being a key part of the course. "Bob visited the class to explain the optical ergonomics of eyewear design. He also critiqued a series of concepts to determine a final direction for each student. He has been very accessible and supportive, and plans on holding a reception exhibiting the student's work upon the projects completion."

The benefits of this project go well beyond the GPA, says Edwards. "This competition will provide a very unique product for the student's portfolios," he notes. "Industrial design influences so many diverse industries and eyewear design is yet another career opportunity for our students."

To learn more about the competition you can view the site here.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor.