jasper morrison designs a line of universal eyewear for japanese brand JINS

jasper morrison has teamed up with japanese eyewear brand JINS to design a new line of glasses. interestingly — despite wearing spectacles on a daily basis, and designing everything from tableware to bus stops — the project marks the british creative’s first foray in eyewear design. morrison began the project by engaging in extensive research. he examined his own glasses, and gathered images of people wearing eyewear from newspapers and magazines in order to closely consider their forms and sizes. the collaboration with jasper morrison will soon be available in JINS stores throughout japan and online. designboom spotted the collection in JINS tokyo’s flagship – see a preview!

JINS design project: ‘boston’

all spectacles images courtesy of JINS | main and showroom images © nacasa & partners inc.

based on this research, morrison refined the form of his designs for JINS, repeatedly examining and making detailed improvements in 0.2 millimeter increments — a methodology that he compares to developing cutlery. conceived as the ‘ultimate basic,’ the result is a series of universal frames that are devoid of any unnecessary excess and are suitable for all — regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.

JINS design project: ‘icon’

‘designing for a fresh subject is always an exciting and pleasurable experience,’ morrison says. ‘since I had never designed spectacles before, I was very interested in taking part in the JINS design project. in designing spectacles, even a 0.1- millimeter difference can have a significant impact on the expression of the object. this is why I wanted to really thoroughly engage with the design. I wanted to design something that was much more subtle yet not too simple, trying to do something that was fitting for the human face. at the same time, I hoped to create spectacles like we have never had before.’

JINS design project: ‘square’

the lineup consists of four types of eyeglasses: wellington, a smaller and rounded frame designed to create ‘a subtle impression’; square, where the brow-line lowers toward the corner of the eyes; icon, which features a slightly thicker frame for both men and women; and boston, where the keyhole design has been removed to create a more universal appeal. the nose pad is designed in a different shape for each frame, while the temple offers a simplistic yet aesthetically pleasing form and a natural feeling when worn.

JINS design project: ‘wellington’

the project is presented as the brand’s first installment of the JINS design project, which seeks to ‘re-question the definition of eyewear to design eyeglasses from their very essence.’ 

designboom visited the jins shibuya flagship and we bought the ‘wellington’ frame. if you don’t bring your prescription your sight is measured in the in-shop eye care service laboratory and glasses are made within 20 minutes, to fit inside your new frame.

jasper wears ‘wellington’, the model our designboom editor bought :-). these frames are great for traveling – lightweight and sturdy

jins design project comprises a brand concept space

… relaxing atmosphere

… resembling a creative studio

… images of frames reference the design process

in-shop eye care service laboratory
image © designboom

it’s new normal
image © designboom

in-shop display (shibuya/tokyo)
image © designboom

jasper morrison books in the waiting area (shibuya/tokyo)
image © designboom

jasper morrison storytelling clips displayed in the waiting area (shibuya/tokyo)
image © designboom