STRATEGIC APPROACH

portable tea mug
personal cart
green-t card
fruit packaging

CONCEPT DESIGN

elastink key
modular center
rfid toothbrush

PRODUCT DESIGN

Martha Stewart Home
Kiehl's Store Design
Nook Accessories
wood & metal
lampshade

SKILLS

cad rendering
ashlar-vellum graphite
graphic design

Elastink Key

No worries, just evidence.

With this project, the goal is to turn a clean burglary into a forced entry with evidence. By applying a new material technology onto an everyday object, the Elastink Key can hopefully provide peace and quiet for those wondering:
"Did I lock my door this morning?"

The Problem

The Bumper Key

Bumper keys allow burglars to break in without any traces of forced entry. This can result in denied home insurance coverage due to the lack of evidence.

The Idea

Door Lock Indicator

Though there were numerous possible directions for a design solution, the simplicity of a color changing key which acts as an indicator to the status of the door lock seemed the most promising. Research for material sourcing that would allow such simplicity was the next step.

The Material

Opalux Elastink ID

Elastink ID utilizes structured photonic crystals to produce colors that have the ability to change by physical stimulus.

Solution

Elastink Key

The key is designed with a screw like mechanism that applies pressure to Elastink ID stored in a cylindrical tube on the head of the key. The design requires a lock with a lipped rim around the key hole to be installed which would activate the screw mechanism of the key.