Holographic package design startup - POP AND BOOTH Projects
Client: VARIOUS
ROLE: Package + Product Designer
A Glimpse to a New World
Fathom Optics is an award winning software start-up based in Boston that has found a way to generate printed light-field visuals that have motion, depth, or 3D effects. These holographic effects are printed with only generic standard ink. Possibilities can range from realistic carbon fiber to “floating” embedded objects.
To put in brief, they make interesting printed visuals that were meant as a sustainable alternative to lenitcular.
My title was designer but I wore many hats. I helped generate new Fathom effects with software, create concept designs while aiding real production designs, assisted the UX of the online Fathom Designer tools, and lead physical marketing events.
Generating Fathom Effects
Fathom effects are built with 2 layers of ink on both sides of a clear material, similar to a Moire pattern. The Fathom software computes these 2 layers from images called “phases”. I create these phases with the a range of artistic and generative tools.
A Glimpse of Product Samples
The Qbert Fathom Effect directly on glass
Marketing POP Poster - Forewarning: Loud Audio
The Fathom Optics sticker collection
Experiments on curved glass
Booth experiences
By mid-to-late 2021, the COVID restrictions were being dropped left and right. Following this trend were the reopening of trade shows. Fathom Optics wanted to take advantage of the transitional time and finally make appearances in person, meeting both designers, brands, and packaging manufacturers.
The company wanted a low-profile, mobile space that they could use to quickly hop from trade show to trade show. Original concepts of the booth had more dramatic elements and pillars, but then was simplified to fit budget restraints and ease of assembly. This space was meant to be assembled by one person.
Rough sketches of layouts and props
As part of the booth, branded backdrops and interactive posters were created to showcase the possibilities. Though Fathom Optics was pitching mainly to packaging, Fathom Effects could be utlizied in other ways such as POP signage. The company actually had it’s start creating fully holographic LED-backed displays.
Signage created by fellow designer Hanna Shibata
Booth Setup
The modified easel and attachable LED bar were key to the layout, which frequently had to be adjusted depending on the trade show. Affordably made and allowed the company to place a set of different packaging products.
Epilogue
Due to the success of the trade show posters, other manufacturers and brands were interested in the possibly of Fathom Effects on their POP displays. Seen below were a few of the samples I helped make for several companies.
A Mother’s Day sample for Lindor chocolate POP displays
A vending machine concept for Liquid Death.
Several pitched posters to Victoria Secret.