Eyewear Trade Show

Venue: MIDO, Milan, Italy

Role: Experience Designer

Client: David Kind Eyewear

✨ Project Overview

MIDO is the world’s largest international eyewear exhibition, hosting over 1,200 global brands. For this prestigious event, David Kind debuted a sculptural, Japanese-inspired booth that reflected the brand’s commitment to timeless Italian craftsmanship and quiet luxury.

Centrally located in the MIDO Exhibit Hall, the 20' x 20' freestanding booth offered a calm, immersive counterpoint to the sensory overload of the show floor. Over six annual appearances, the booth evolved into a signature expression of the brand’s ethos—where tradition meets innovation.

💡 Design Concept

The booth was envisioned as a serene, elevated shopping environment—rooted in Japanese minimalism and crafted with Italian materials and modern technology.

Core Principles:

• ✔ Minimalism Meets Craftsmanship – Clean lines, natural wood, and sculptural restraint created a warm, refined space.
• ✔ Sculptural Storytelling – A Ruth Asawa-inspired wire installation served as an artistic focal point, echoing the precision of the eyewear.
• ✔ Tech-Integrated Retail – AR try-on stations and digital inventory displays brought digital convenience to the physical showroom.

🎯 Interactive & Experiential Features

• • Augmented Reality Try-On Facial-mapping tech allowed visitors to virtually try on frames in real time.
• • Sensory Product Display Custom shelving encouraged tactile interaction, emphasizing craftsmanship and finish.
• • Sculptural Centerpiece A suspended wire sculpture transformed the booth into a contemplative, art-driven environment.
• • Digital Inventory Station Visitors browsed frame styles, materials, and customization options on a live screen display.

🌀 Spatial & Visual Design Highlights

• 1. Charlotte Perriand “Nuage” Shelves – Iconic and functional, these mid-century forms framed eyewear as collectible design objects.
• 2. Italian Marble Table & Wood Paneling – Luxurious finishes signaled quality and heritage.
• 3. Trivex Platform & Cork Flooring – Organic textures created warmth and acoustic softness.
• 4. Ambient Lighting & Open Flow – Soft, museum-like lighting created intimacy and a clean visual hierarchy.

🎨 Aesthetic Inspiration

• 1. Wabi-sabi meets mid-century modern – A restrained but architectural visual language
• 2. Neutral, tactile palette – Natural woods, ivory, warm grays, and matte black accents
• 3. High-contrast staging – Products popped against warm, organic materials

🧭 Visitor Journey

• 1️⃣ Welcome & Brand Story – A sculptural space introduces David Kind’s elevated positioning
• 2️⃣ Product Discovery – Frames displayed as artworks emphasize materiality and form
• 3️⃣ Tech Engagement – Visitors interact with AR to personalize their eyewear experience
• 4️⃣ Immersive Aesthetics – Spatial harmony, texture, and light promote calm exploration
• 5️⃣ Hybrid Retail Flow – The journey ends in a seamless, memorable brand interaction

📈 Outcomes & Impact

• • A Standout Presence: The booth consistently stood out at MIDO for its refined aesthetic and experiential depth.
• • Heritage + Innovation: Japanese minimalism, Italian craftsmanship, and AR technology merged to express the brand’s unique point of view.
• • High Visitor Engagement: Dwell time increased significantly. Visitors lingered, interacted, and left with a deeper connection to the David Kind story.

📽 Watch the Full 3D Walkthrough: MIDO Eyewear Video Walkthrough

🖼 View the Full Case Study: MIDO Eyewear Presentation Deck