Interview about Carbon Craft Eyewear, winner of the A' Eyewear Design Award 2025
Carbon Craft is an exceptionally durable and reliable product. The eyewear frame is produced using 3D FDM printing combined with manual surface polishing. This design embraces a classic style by completely eliminating hinges and metal framing. No screws are used. The components can be easily assembled and replaced. It applies a unique shaping technique from carbon technology, enhancing the material's structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsIn our previous eyewear projects, we had the opportunity to work with a variety of materials such as bamboo, wood, buffalo horn, natural fibers, and carbon fiber. Each type of material has its own unique crafting process and specific type of hinge. These fundamental elements have, to some extent, influenced the purity of our creative expression.Additionally, in recent times, while spending time playing with my young daughter, the shortcomings of traditional methods for crafting eyeglass frames have begun to reveal themselves—particularly the metal structural frame and the easily deformed hinges.
A new starting point emerged from 3D printing technology in general, and from the limitations of FDM technology in particular. We had to find a way to establish the optimal physical state of the object during the 3D printing process to enhance structural strength. The unique design of the frame also contributes to increased flexibility.3D printing technology helps minimize production steps, raw materials, time, and cost. Choosing to hand-polish and finish the surface was a brilliant decision, enhancing the smoothness and tactile quality of the materia
As someone who frequently wears glasses and takes on many roles in a day—from designer to sports enthusiast to parent—previous frames often couldn’t withstand unexpected impacts and rarely survived unscathed. The key point of Carbon Craft’s design is that we embrace the bending of traditional hinges and seek a new approach that is cost-effective and easy to replace.
The development process leading to the current TPU system took over six months—and a bit of luck. Initially, we experimented with various high-stiffness materials known for structural stability. Ironically, that very rigidity turned out to be a weakness, similar to other products already on the market. We came to understand the core of the problem and began seeking solutions rooted in flexibility—something akin to a meditative approach.Our first replacement idea was elastic cords of various sizes and elasticity levels. However, they failed to meet expectations due to poor elasticity in smaller dimensions. TPU became our final option—if it didn’t work, our original vision would have to end.Fortunately, we discovered that TPU was fairly common on e-commerce platforms for FDM 3D printing. The 3D printing process using TPU formed a solid structure resembling rope, made up of hundreds of tiny, interlinked strands. This successfully preserved the integrity of our original design. On its own, TPU offers excellent shock absorption, strong chemical resistance, and remarkable elasticity.
Our visit to Sabae, Japan, gave us a panoramic view of the peak in aesthetic and technological advancement achieved by Japanese—and global—eyewear brands. It raised a crucial question in our minds: is there still room for us in such a fiercely competitive market?The classic aesthetic sensibilities of Sabae clearly reflect the evolving needs of the global market.The next step was to deeply consider the limitations of traditional eyewear frame manufacturing technologies. We are not trying to discredit the remarkable achievements and craftsmanship of masters . Yet, deep down, we are on a journey in search of freedom.
Carbon Craft adheres closely to a systems-thinking approach rooted in sustainable design. It features a modular structure combined with a TPU hinge system—using a tough, flexible material that can easily be replaced with recycled alternatives. Metal components are eliminated entirely. The design stays true to a timeless, classic aesthetic.
With its flexible component replacement system, Carbon Craft Eyewear represents the missing piece in the eyewear frame manufacturing industry. Eyeglasses are a daily essential for individuals—and when viewed at a global scale, the numbers are staggering. A broken hinge often means having to replace the entire frame due to simple yet frustrating reasons: lack of repair skills or difficulty in finding service locations. And when the frame is replaced, it can sometimes require completely new lenses as well—adding to the cost and inconvenience.We personally don’t want to worry about our own frames. We trust fully in their shock-absorbing capability and feel confident knowing we can repair them ourselves.
Carbon Craft is truly a multifaceted breakthrough by Vooc Design and a milestone for industrial design in Vietnam. To embody the iconic ‘Freedom Spirit’ form, we chose eyewear frames design as our starting point.On the materials front, carbon fiber is blended with nylon in a 40:60 ratio. As for the design language of Carbon Craft Eyewear, it draws inspiration from polygonal architecture: the stress-bearing cross sections are polygonal, the internal structure is polygonal, and even the molecular structure of carbon itself is polygonal.By taking control of both our raw materials and design language from the beginning, we’ve made it easier to switch to recycled materials or alternative production methods in the future.
This is our first time participating in the A’ Design Award. We truly appreciate the professionalism of the organizers and the way they value design philosophy and creative vision. In our view, being recognized by the A’ Design Award is a multidimensional success. It expands our media presence, with important questions from the organizers our design thinking was sharpen and awaken long-term vision.
Classic design inherently carries its own timeless appeal—it reflects the enduring stability of consumer taste. When combined with advanced material technologies, it extends product longevity and reduces costs for customers. These two elements work in harmony, empowering consumers to choose Carbon Craft Eyewear confidently and comfortably, on their own terms.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
