THE WORLD’S FIRST
SUSTAINABLE CONTACT
IS COMING
Every year, Americans flush 2.6 to 2.9 billion contact lenses down the drain. When you consider that number on a global scale and factor in that the scientists in Antartica have started finding micro-plastics in the water, those little discs of plastic have become a big problem. Harnessing the ingenuity of new material science and another valuable ocean resource—seaweed—the world’s first biodegradable contact is in the works. But could we help to make it a truly circular process, shape withstanding?
SCOPE: Art Direction, Brand Identity, Style Guidelines, Packaging, Naming, Voice, Messaging
Brand Name
Hunting for a name that capitalized on the biodegradable nature of this new product seemed almost too easy. The name pays homage to both nature and man at once, combining the soft sound of the sure-sighted owl and the surname of legendary magician Harry Houdini.
Naturally, many magic and sight-related puns appeared out of thin air and worked their way into the verbal identity of the brand. It’s one of the many ways Hoodini tries to use humor to make a serious issue more approachable.
Visual Identity
Hoodini’s color palette is aquatic in nature and the two main color combinations are both AAA-contrast rating. Why is that so important? 1.3 billion people live with some form of vision impairment. When ordering, customers can check a color-blind option to ensure that all their packaging, brand emails, etc, remain legible.
The ‘OO' formation held many possibilities. At the brand’s discretion, it can be treated like an infinity symbol, a contact case or personified with a pair of ears.
Packaging
All elements of the brand’s packaging would need to be recycled to close the loop. Sourcing recycled boxes and soy inks ensured that most of the ecosystem could be composted, but what could be done to entice users into making sure their empties got recycled? For starters, we designed the shipping box to act as its own recycling vehicle. Punch out the perforated portion, slot discarded cases in, and mail back when full.
Companies like Terracycle create a barrier for users by asking them to seek and drop off their empty vessels at far flung destinations. Hoodini boxes ship with a prepaid label back to the processing plant. Customers are credited for these returns and earn credits towards a tiered reward system that offers discounts for purchases and occasionally a cool prize or two (think bamboo sunglasses and other green swag to keep your peepers in pristine condition).