MULTI-DIMENSIONAL UNIVERSE
Photos: Stefan Dongus
For more than 20 years, Swiss-based eyewear label GÖTTI has built a reputation for keeping things interesting with a constant flow of new technical features. The driving force behind this output is founder Sven Götti, a designer and tech aficionado who created the brand in 1993. Cultivating a form language of extravagant, purist, and streamlined designs, GÖTTI has been making a mark on the eyewear scene by blending innovative technology and modern shapes. The motto: “Design starts in the head and comes from the heart.”
On the product level, GÖTTI is textbook case of high-grade Swissness – all products are designed in Switzerland and manufactured in leading eyewear workshops in Germany, Austria, and Japan. The resulting frames provide top-shelf quality and longevity, injected with GÖTTI’s signature combination of technology and timeless designs.
In order to achieve their upscale finish, GÖTTI collections rely on complex manufacturing processes, many of which solve complicated technical challenges. With its latest Dimension Collection the Swiss brand is pushing the boundaries with a high-tech 3D-printing process. How did it get from concept to store shelf? This issue’s SPECTR Design Talk with Sven Götti has the details.
GÖTTI keeps delivering surprising new innovations at a constant rate, with the Spin & Stow concept as a major example. Now you’re implementing future-facing 3D-printing technology into frame manufacturing. What led to this decision?
I wanted to create a new world within the brand while expanding the current collection. GÖTTI represents purist, streamlined design. With the Dimension Collection, we’re going one step beyond, drawing inspiration from today’s technological dynamic and rapidly changing trends. It’s a world where fashion, art, and novel constructions blend into a new lifestyle product. Additive production methods are a forward-looking approach to eyewear manufacturing. Plus, if you stop evolving and experimenting with new technologies, you’ll sooner or later be overtaken by progress. So for this line, we’ve created an entirely new design and development department within the company to dive deep into the development process.
How can we imagine the day-to-day work in this development unit?
Our day-to-day work is highly dynamic and constantly moving forward. The most important thing is never losing sight of the big picture. Our focus lies with the evolution and individual essence of our frames. The interplay of analog and digital, the perception of illusion and reality, the adaptation to new circumstances – the Dimension Collection delivers on all these points. It’s a collection that harmoniously blends these apparent opposites.
How would you define the Dimension Collection’s form language?
It’s defined by the fascinating interaction between precise construction and sensual surface feel. Today’s technology unlocks new possibilities and room for creative playfulness in the design process. The form language is inspired by sophisticated street style and current social movements. The collection contains our signature delicate pieces but also dominant, bold frames. The new frames lend a clean and at the same time highly expressive look to the wearer – very fashion forward.
In how far is the signature GÖTTI design DNA featured in the new collection?
All GÖTTI wearers share a love for design. Additionally, we implement our thoughts on modernity, functionality, lightness, and form fit into our designs. The new frames open up various dimensions while staying true to our constant design philosophy.
In terms of gender, what’s the Dimension Collection’s target group?
The Dimension Collection makes a statement about current events. We are experiencing an acceleration and fast dynamic in everyday life, which comes with a new set of challenges. Young, internationally active, and trend-conscious people have a positive take on these constant changes. They keep rediscovering themselves over and over. They travel a lot, stay updated on events and know exactly what they want. These self-confident customers view eyewear as a medium for individual expression. We picked up on these trends and offer our own interpretation in an authentic collection equally aimed at men and women.
Where does the new GÖTTI collection draw inspiration in terms of colorways?
We’re playing with subtle influences from urban architecture and raw nature. The resulting color spectrum is a powerful expression of soft, earthy nuances such as Moss, Stone, Brick, and Mocca. Overall, the new prescription frames and sunglasses will be produced in six colors.
And how many different models will be available overall?
Twelve prescription frames and twelve sunglasses in a total of six colors. As an added benefit, customers may choose almost all prescription frames as sunglass versions.
How do you feel about the revolutionary impact of 3D-printing on the eyewear business?
Until now, entire industries were reinventing themselves through 3D-printing. But what we are currently seeing is that the eyewear industry is in return revolutionizing certain parts of the 3D-printing segment. Some manufacturers that offer 3D-services to various industries are aligning parts of their manufacturing completely to the specific demands of the eyewear business. That’s a pretty exciting new development.
What’s the impact of parameterized design in this process?
The term parameterized design describes the design of physical objects via computer. Every geometric body – either simple of highly complex – can be defined via geometric parameters such as points, edges, surfaces, and volumes.
And what are the exact stages in this process?
The design process begins with a 2D-design of the shape of the glasses, which is then turned into a complete frame on the computer. Once I’m happy with the design on screen, we go into prototyping via 3D-printer. The actual glasses are then manufactured via an SLS-process, followed by vibratory grinding and coloring.
What are the special materials involved in 3D-printed eyewear?
We’re currently working with laser-sintered polyamide. But we’re always keeping our eyes open to see which new standards establish themselves.
Do these 3D-materials have any extraordinary characteristics?
Our polyamide is lightweight, flexible, and pliable in a thermoplastic way. It’s really empowering for us to work with this new material.
What are some other advantages of this technology?
It’s perfectly suited towards letting new creative ideas run wild. We’re also benefitting from short delivery timeframes, allowing us to design smaller series.
Where will you be premiering the new frames?
The Dimension Collection will be presented at Silmo in Paris.
Will there be an official campaign in the run-up to the launch?
No, the official campaign will only start in spring 2017 when the products are released. Prepare to be amazed!
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