Kobo/Rakuten - Case Study
Reading Redefined
Reimagining the interaction, form & materials of a 500 year old ritual.
Books have long held a special place in our hearts, serving as vessels of knowledge, stress relief, and imagination for centuries. As technology evolves with innovations like e-ink, epubs, and mobile connectivity, how can we enhance this cherished ritual? Our four-year partner, Kobo (an anagram of "Book"), tasked us with the delicate challenge of redefining the reading experience across eight different tablets and e-reader devices.
Services:
Industrial Design
CAD Design and DFM
Material, colors, finishes
Sometimes, less is more. Minimalistic reading views for a calm reading experience free of visual distractions.
Paying homage to handcrafted leather book covers with relief texture and type every Kobo reader has a unique, soft-touch, quilted texture for a tactile interaction.
To achieve a minimalist experience, we rebuilt the technical construction from the ground up, working closely with Kobo’s software and engineering teams in Toronto and Taipei.
The eyewear platform is designed to maximize vision in everyway. Increasing field of vision by 18%, a secure lens-lock for impacts, and a lens change system that reduces replacement lenses by 3x the price of competitors.
