Core77

Ultraminimal "MOON" Eclipses Existing Contact Cases

By Ray Hu - November 16, 2011

in Object Culture

Looks cool, but what does it actually do?

Beverly Moon is a Senior Industrial Designer who is based in Portland, OR. I'd go so far as to say that the majority of ID'ers would agree that they are "[passionate about] curating experiences through products and invoking beauty in everyday things," but Moon delivers on her mission statement with her eponymous contact case.

Moon (the designer, not the design) notes that this unassuming product is ritualized in "a routine that many of us go through at least twice a day, [occupying] a prominent place on the bathroom sink." She explains on Kickstarter:

Any number of adjectives describe the "Moon" (the design, not the designer): clean, simple, elegant, beautiful, unobtrusive, etc., there's also a sense in which Moon is highlighting "an experience and product that gets overlooked." Like the Nest Learning Thermostat or the "Dark Sky" app (also in need of Kickstarting), Moon (the designer, not the design) has found room for innovation, though her design is more of an aesthetic improvement than the others.

The presentation captures her minimalist approach as well, and Moon (the designer, not the design) has done an excellent job documenting the project from start to finish.I chose Corian® for very specific reasons. First, it's a hypoallergenic, non-toxic material, and non-porous so it doesn't harbor the growth of bacteria and minimizes the risk of infections. Second, it's a beautiful material. It has a pleasant weight and smooth texture that gives it a premium feel. Third, it's a great material because it's hard, but not brittle, making it easier to find local CNC manufacturing to work with.

We're certainly over the moon—the turn of phrase, not the design or the designer—about the design, though the $40 pricetag (which jumps to $60 at launch) makes "Moon" (the design... well, you get the idea) a rather high-end hygiene product. Moon notes that "Screw caps are great for travel but not for quick daily interactions. And plastics have many great properties but often feel very cheap."

It so happens that I've been looking for a better contact storage solution: my plastic case has gotten to the point where I dread cleaning it every couple weeks, largely because it gets dirty again within days. While the countertop model would certainly find a home at my bathroom sink, I'd also be curious to see a travel-friendly "Moon."

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Santiago Flores

13 years ago

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I too am a contact lens user. I like the overall design as in terms of aesthetics but worry about its practical use. An important feature a lens case should have is being easily portable (without leaking or being uncomfortable in its packing), I don't see this product fulfilling that important need.
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Joana Salgado

13 years ago

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I've been wearing contact lenses for more than 10 years now, and although i like your concept visually, i don't think it would be very functional...
How do you know which side is left or right? I have different graduation levels on each eye and i can't mix them up.
And if it falls down? It doesn't seal does it?
How could i carry it in my purse?

I think its a good starting idea but there are a lot of points that you should study a little more!

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jaidan

13 years ago

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@Duane Brown
the way of determing left from right if you look at the wireframe there is a small - and + in the bottom of the well for the contacts...

not sure if that is the best solution, fair enough its a tactile experience but i think it seems too small and similarly shaped extudes, i might have left once totally smoth and one slightly rough/extruded + etc
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Duane Brown

13 years ago

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@D
What do you mean the tactile feedback for L and R is more apparent in the hand?
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gretchen

13 years ago

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Beautiful concept/object, but before this product can be released, it requires FDA approval. Contact lens cases are classified as a medical device and subject to regulation. Using a new material will require lab testing to ensure no adverse reactions between the material and the chemicals in the lens solution, as well as testing for bacterial loads and how effectively it can be cleaned. (Look up biofilms - they're harder to remove than you think). I love the idea of a permanent case, and have wanted to design my own, but in researching the how/why of current products, I learned a lot of rather discouraging things.
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D

13 years ago

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I designed contact lens cases for a former employer and we had extensive consumer research done for contact lens wearers. By far the biggest problem was compliance; users were not cleaning out cases or lens on a daily basis leading to quite a significant issue of bacterial growth and gunk. So cases are often impregnated with anti-bac resins. And the main reason users were not cleaning them? It takes too much time, even tho the process only takes about a minute. Same behavior with toothbrushing, except the latter is more compelling to follow bc of concerns about bad breath. Eyes don't smell, but they could be damaged if not you're careful.

Moon is onto something here. Corian is theoretically a good choice although. Portability is not a issue for me; it's not hard to just transfer lens into a plastic one for the few times I travel anyway. I'd imagine that the tactile feedback for L and R is more apparent in the hand, so for now I don't see it as an issue, either. Also, since Corian can be very precisely milled, I don't doubt It can made relatively air tight while it's sitting on the counter.
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SPN

13 years ago

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Meh its aiight but not a game changer....
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sharon

13 years ago

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adding to Brown's comment--- if the contact case is not air-tight, the contact solution liquid will eventually evaporate over at least a week, leaving the contacts dry and useless. Not everyone will switch out their solution on a daily basis, since some consumers wear glasses and contacts on only weekends/occasions. Not seeing the function over aesthetics.
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Duane Brown

13 years ago

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@ Dan.. I couldn't find anything regarding corian is 100% recyclable.. am I mistaken? I believe its a plastic.. when it ends up in a landfill it will never degrade.
Also during the manufacturing how much of that is going to be recycled vs pure waste?? It's not mentioned in the video I don't think??
The indicator looks like a very small INDENT and not very practical for touch either.
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Scott

13 years ago

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I agree with Brown. Not very practical. Maybe good for sitting on my counter in the bathroom.

The biggest thing that is missing is, how do I tell which one is left and right? This product suffers from having too large of an art influence.
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Andrew

13 years ago

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Is the Corian waste from the CNC process recyclable? Otherwise, this is a fairly wasteful manufacturing process...
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Dan

13 years ago

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Such an elegant idea. Really like it. I'll probably get one of these.

I wear contacts, and always thought it odd to keep a "travel case" on my counter at home.

The indicator is obviously by touch, so the eyesight is not needed to know which side is which.

The material is very earth-friendly and non-toxic, unlike plastic, so there is no moral question of "need vs. want".

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Duane Brown

13 years ago

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Neat idea.. however not very practical.
Having an item that doesn't seal is just asking for it to get knocked onto the floor. Also traveling with them is just a bad idea. Plus depending on how bad your eyesight is i'm skeptical of the indicator. PS you aren't supposed to switch contacts even if you have the same prescription for both eyes.

I would probably pick one of these up as they are much easier on the eyes..However I'd be buying something strictly out of want which isn't necessary.
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