Iron Eyewear Design · 2023
Beautiful Darkness Eyewear
- A' Design Award 2023 Iron Winner in Eyewear Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Sanaz Ghafari
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 43,290
- Verification code 4830A0965E · Verify this award
About Beautiful Darkness Eyewear
These eyewear are inspired by Iranian motifs and the purpose of its design is a gift for those who look at the world with only one eye. Many of them have lost it during their lives in line with their dreams, ideologies, freedom of humanity, standing against oppression, etc., and these beautiful patterns putted on them so that they know their true beauty. In fact, the main inspiration were these people. In terms of production technology, this work has a simple structure that can be made easily only with modern technology, and golden metal and brown glass are used in it.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This work is not just an ordinary pair of glasses to hide an apparently blind eye, this work is beautiful and different because it tries to show that maybe one eye or even without the eyes of the head and only with the eyes of the heart can see the world much more clearly and realistically and beautifully, so the frame of these glasses should also show the beauty of this eye and the goals and insights behind it. Also, in this work, golden-colored metal such as brass and smoked glass is used.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Metal motifs are placed on one of the glasses of the smokey eyeglass frame to be placed on the eye that does not have the ability to see. The diameter of the glasses frame is 50 mm and the length of the handles is 135 mm
- Tags
- Jewelry, Accessory, Eyewear, Sunglasses, Glasses, Iranian Art, Traditional Arts of Iran
- Production Technology
- To design this product, I have used the motifs that I had designed in the undergraduate course at the Isfahan University of Art, inspired by traditional Iranian motifs. I was inspired by these Iranian motifs and changed them again for the design of the sunglasses. This work was done after many corrections and changes, first by hand design and then by software. The manufacturing method of this product is simple, it can be manufactured with modern technology and simple devices.
- Design Challenge
- According to the academic training in jewelry and accessory design as well as traditional Iranian design, although there was no special challenge in terms of design, in my opinion, it is the main challenge of the world. No matter how much I try to beautify these noble people, it will still not be as beautiful as their ideals and outlook on life and the world, and my main challenge is to leave the world of oppressors behind.
- Project Duration
- The project started in February 2023 in Isfahan and finished in March 2023 in Isfahan. This project is one of the collection which designed sunglasses based on humanitarian ideologies, love for life and seeing the world and traditional arts of Iran.
- Operation Flow
- This work can not only affect the audience from an aesthetic point of view, but because it inspired the traditional artworks of old Iran, it can be a reminder of the countless values of art and works of art in life. But the main impact and interaction of this work is in respect for people who, either for the love of life, are satisfied with one eye to see the beauty of the world, or those who have passed it in line with their lofty goals, but still and only with This, look at the world and life with a much more perceptive eye than most of us. All the beauty of this work is dedicated to them.
- Research
- Applied research and research methods on patterns and standards of eyeglass design and Iranian art in the form of it has been a library. Also, research among the literature to understand and touch the world of the one-eyed blind, and along with that,interviews with the mentioned people. And finally, seeing people every day who, in the direction of their ideals in the society where I live, lose not only an eye, but many more valuable things, and there is no research like living in these streets.
- Inspiration
- This work is visually inspired by traditional Iranian art.But it can be said that the main inspiration of this work is the people who, in the way of freedom, look at the world with only one eye - but perhaps much more sighted and deeper than thousands of seeing eyes.There are not few people who sacrifice valuable things against dictatorships every day in the way of their ideals.This work is dedicated to those who may see the world much more beautiful and wider than us, who see with two eyes.
Colors of Beautiful Darkness Eyewear
Grand Interview about Beautiful Darkness Eyewear
The fusion of authentic Iranian motifs in the "Beautiful Darkness" design is an artistic attempt to redefine the concept of beauty for those who view the world through a different lens. These motifs, symbolizing the richness and authenticity of our culture, are used here not to conceal, but to adorn and honor. This design serves as a reminder to individuals who have faced significant life challenges that their unique perspective on existence is valuable. We wanted to use the language of art to show that true beauty lies in inner strength and embracing differences; these patterns are a delicate reflection of that very beauty, now shining upon their visage.
The choice of these specific Iranian motifs aimed to create a bridge between our rich artistic tradition and modern design. These intricate and delicate interlaced patterns, often seen in our ancient architecture and handicrafts, symbolize perfection, balance, and timeless beauty. By applying these motifs to a part of the eyewear typically used for covering, we challenge the traditional concept of "hiding a flaw." These delicate metalworks attract the viewer's gaze rather than deflecting it, conveying a clear message: even in darkness or absence, stunning beauty can be found. These patterns shift the viewer's perception, evoking admiration for a work of art rather than a sense of pity.
Receiving the A' Design Award is a valuable international validation that gives global reach to our message. This recognition helps us demonstrate that design can operate beyond mere aesthetics and serve as a powerful tool for human empowerment. This award supports our mission to more effectively promote the idea that an assistive device can be a piece of high art. When such a design is acclaimed globally, it instills a greater sense of pride and confidence in those who wear it, showing society that their resilience and unique beauty should be viewed with admiration rather than pity.
These specific dimensions were carefully calculated to strike a balance between "coverage" and "aesthetics." The 50mm frame diameter provides ample canvas to showcase the intricate, interlaced details of the Iranian motifs, while being a standard size that sits beautifully on most face shapes and comfortably and completely covers the eye area. The 135mm handle length is a standard ergonomic size that ensures a secure fit on the face. This stability is particularly vital for this design, as it must maintain the balance of a frame that naturally carries different visual (and physical) weight on the side featuring the metalwork compared to the other.
The work began with simple hand sketches inspired by the traditional architecture and art of my hometown, Isfahan. My studies in handicrafts and jewelry design helped guide me in finding a way to bring these ideas to life. My approach to this project was more akin to crafting a piece of jewelry than merely designing eyewear. Experience working with metal gave me a better understanding of how to translate those delicate two-dimensional patterns into a wearable three-dimensional form. Essentially, I tried to use what I had learned to create a proper balance between the delicacy of traditional art and the functionality of a modern product.
This choice of materials directly reflects the name and concept of the piece, "Beautiful Darkness." The smokey glass symbolizes that part of vision or the world that has faded into darkness or ambiguity; a calm acceptance of absence. In contrast, the golden metal, with its inherent shine and warmth, represents hope, value, and the light that emerges from within this darkness. When this golden metal, in the form of authentic motifs, sits upon the smokey background, it conveys a clear message: even where light has dimmed, stunning value and beauty can be created. This contrast is a metaphor for the resilience of the human spirit, which can shine even in the most difficult circumstances.
In talking with these individuals, I discovered a shared sentiment: many were dissatisfied with existing devices that merely tried to "hide" the flaw, as these devices often attracted negative attention themselves. They wanted something that would give them a sense of pride rather than shame. This deep understanding shifted the design direction. We decided to focus on "adorning" rather than concealing. Functionally, we ensured the eyewear form provided complete physical comfort, but aesthetically, we acted boldly to create an item that one would wear with confidence, not as a medical necessity, but as a part of their personal style and expression of identity.
Although the appearance of the work is highly detailed and resembles fine handicrafts, its structure is designed to be manufacturable using modern technologies such as precise laser cutting or 3D metal printing. This use of modern technology offers two major advantages: first, it reduces production time and costs compared to purely traditional manual methods, making the product accessible to a wider audience. Second, the precision of these machines ensures that the delicacy and complexity of the original motifs are maintained with high quality in every produced piece, allowing us to have mass production without compromising any of the artistic value or design details.
Growing up in Isfahan is like living in a living museum. In the city's architecture, no detail is purely decorative or purely functional; everything is intertwined. A beautiful tiling is simultaneously a moisture barrier and a narrator of a cultural story. This philosophy is deeply rooted in my subconscious. When designing "Beautiful Darkness," it was natural for me to seek a way to view functionality (covering the eye) and beauty (traditional motifs) not as separate elements, but as a unified whole. Isfahan taught me that even the most utilitarian objects can and should carry the deepest cultural and aesthetic meanings.
The philosophy of "Beautiful Darkness" is just a beginning for me; the idea that "difference" can be a source of "beauty." In the future, I plan to expand this approach to other aspects of wearable design and jewelry. My focus will be on creating works that not only meet individuals' specific needs but also tell their unique stories. I want to use the rich language of Iranian art combined with modern design to create collections where each piece is a celebration of human diversity and a reminder that every scar or difference can be a foundation for the growth of a new and stunning beauty.