Interview with Ryan Bennett from United States

I bought a travel contact lens kit a few years ago to help make traveling with contact lenses and glasses easier. After a week of using this kit, I developed an eye infection. My eye doctor informed me that transferring contact solution from my large bottle to the small bottle provided in the kit was likely the cause of the infection. Transferring solution between bottles is not a sterile practice and should always be avoided.

I then tried to find a kit that worked with standard travel-sized solution bottles available for purchase; this would eliminate the need to transfer solution. Unfortunately, I couldn't find such a kit, and thus began the design process of Oplee.

Oplee is a small company focused on providing products that make traveling with contact lenses and glasses easier.

Product design as it allows for problem-solving and can make the user's life easier.

A good product design is intuitive and easy to use.

Intuitive and uncomplicated.

The design process for the Oplee travel contact lens case started with describing all the problems associated with traveling with contact lenses/eyeglasses & conducting surveys of people in the target market.

We then began to create simple sketches. Next, we put dimensions to the sketches to better understand the product layout. Finally, with product dimensions, prototyping began.

Early prototypes were composed of nylon fabric, elastic, & velcro materials. These prototypes were created using a craft knife, scissors, & a sewing machine. Using these prototypes, the product specifications were drafted. We then used the specifications to find a factory to manufacture the product.

Factory sample testing consisted of fit & quality checks. Fit checks ensured that the product would accommodate most eye care accessories. Quality checks ensured that all components would stand up to repeated daily use.

After all the needed adjustments were made to the factory sample, production of the first manufacturing run started.

In recent years there has been a growing appreciation for uncomplicated and minimalist design in the United States. So yes, in that aspect, it impacted the design of the Oplee Travel Contact Lens Case product.

It means a tremendous amount. It’s validation of our design and product.

Oplee Travel Contact Lens Case makes it easy to transition from wearing contact lenses to eyeglasses or vice versa while on the go. Holds all the needed eye care accessories and includes a built-in mirror.

We chose to enter it in this design competition because we felt that the design is unique and innovative.

I don’t know that there was a single most significant challenge. But there will be unforeseen challenges anytime you create something new and innovative.

Well that’s yet to be seen. But we’re honored to have received this award.

Solving interesting problems, expressing creativity, and the opportunity to continually learn.

I’m not sure what makes the United States unique within the design industry. But we are certainly a country rich in design talent.

Go for it, don’t sit on the sidelines!

For product design a sketchbook and journal to capture your thoughts.

Many teachers throughout my educational and professional career. Everyone is my superior in some way, so I learn what I can from everyone.

What I’ve learned about success can be summed up in a single quote: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

-Calvin Coolidge-