Kobo/Rakuten

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 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 reading devices.

Services:

  • Industrial Design

  • CAD Design and DFM

  • Material, colors, finishes

  • Packaging

Technology recedes, and the reading experience takes centre stage.

Paying homage to handcrafted leather book covers, each reader has a unique, soft-touch, quilted texture for tactile interactions. 

Minimalistic views for a calm reading experience free of visual distractions.

We retooled the technical layout, organizing components in service of the reading experience, minimizing wrist fatigue, and increasing hand feel.

Colors, materials, finishes and packaging, were crafted for a unified brand experience. Integrated covers allowed personalized accessories with no penalty to the device's thickness.

Impact

1

Red Dot Award

20+

Countries Worldwide

45M+

Users