™
OVERVIEW
NOIR MCF is a phygital based fashion brand developed to sell on ethereum. After purchasing the digital asset the purchaser will receive the physical counterpart.
An understanding of the blockchain technology was essential for the development of the virtual apparel. After running through many iterations I arrived at a simple two piece collection that would ease both digital design and manufacturing.
Through manipulation of various 3D softwares and platforms I was able to launch the full experience of the brand in record time.
Role_Lead Designer
Brand Design, Mobile Design, Web Design
Team
Mauricio Cienfuegos
INITIAL RESEARCH
ETH
Ethereum is a blockchain technology that is exponentially growing and developing in digital money, global payments and applications.
This web3 technology has seen a boom in the past couple of years for its 'decentralized' ethos.
Giving art and artist of all genres a platform to express their ideas.
NFT
Non fungible tokens are made similar to digital tokens, but instead of being the same they are represented in art, collectibles, music, etc.
They are traded online through cryptocurrencies and are always encoded by a smart contract on a blockchain.
MODERN FASHION JOURNEY
To develop a new way of integrating digital technologies with modern day manufacturing it was crucial to understand the journey of fashion. Being my first project in the fashion space I wanted to ensure I could develop new product solutions that may not have been possible before but became apparent with web3.
With my architecture background I was challenged to reimagine Haute Couture from hand made to digital solutions through 3D platforms.
HONING IN ON THE DESIGN
Being that this idea of product was based off of relatively new technology the audience is inevitably more artistic and open to new concepts. This is why I decided to create a design language that spoke to this new idea of art expression. Essentialy building a 'NOIR MCF verse' from the ground up.
![Mood board [colores].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/45e5a3_b6d58b12fb3a48a697beda210524ea8f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_845,h_653,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Mood%20board%20%5Bcolores%5D.jpg)
PROTOTYPE & SAMPLES
Once the design was established I moved on to the sculpting, measuring, and patterns of the digital assets. Creating a base for the future manufacturing of the goods. It was essential to finalize all the designs to a high fidelity standard as the apparel would not be sampled in a traditional manner. All prototyping was done with 2D and 3D software.
A New Reality
WEBSITE
For the official launch of the brand it was vital to also have a website/e-store functional and ready to accept purchases. I developed a simple to use site that showcased the main features of the project. Although the phygital fashion is the main objective, it was essential to also provide a small explanation on the cryptocurrency payments for any new users of such technology.
Being that most NFT communities exist in the mobile space, it was also important for this website to have the same ease and accessibility on a mobile device as the desktop version.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Having been my first attempt at anything related to fashion, I extended my architecture and design knowledge beyond the standard of an architect. I learned that by following similar design methods and applying new ones in terms of R&D it is possible to develop new products. As a designer I had to come-up with innovative solutions to problems outside my initial comfort zone. I had to set rigorous timelines so that I could reach the launch date.
Fortunatly in the end the launch was made successfully and the project has a bright future forward as web3 technology is having more adoption than ever. As our world pushes forward this new idea will continue to be developed along side it.