«LIGHT. COLORFUL. SMART.»
Bright red, sunny yellow, or ocean blue – ready-made reading glasses have definitely left their days in the shadows behind. The two Swiss designers Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink demonstrate with “read on light” how minimalist design and well-thought out practicality for everyday use blend harmoniously.
Most ready-made reading glasses are designed purely for functionality – practical everyday aids, but rarely attractive, often dark, clunky, and almost never elegant. Swiss designers Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink prove that there’s another way. With their colorful reading glasses, “read on light” and “read on light customized”, they bring color, charm, and surprising lightness to an item that has rarely been considered a fashion statement. These reading glasses don’t blend into the background. They glow in bright red, shine in sunny yellow, shimmer in fresh turquoise, delicate mint, or elegant violet — colors that lift your spirits and make a statement. And of course, they’re also available in sophisticated black, because classics are always a must.
Despite their presence, they never seem intrusive, but rather surprisingly light and stylish. A statement in favor of minimalist design and everyday practicality. They’re practical to begin with, so they quickly become an indispensable companion in daily life: whether you’re glancing at a menu, reading a message on the tram, or quickly checking a price tag. That’s because they offer a major advantage: at just three millimeters thick, they’re so slim that they fit even in a jacket pocket, a hipster bag, or slung from a cord under or over a sweater. They’ve been on the market since September 2025 and have already won the German Design Award 2026 in the “Excellent Product Design – Lifestyle & Fashion” category. But let’s start at the beginning.
Vibrant colors, feather-light frame
As early as 2023, the two women from Zurich developed the predecessor model, “read on light”: an ultra-thin, elegant pair of reading glasses, packaged in a flat, sturdy case with a perfectly colorcoordinated lanyard – a stylish, practical accessory that blends effortlessly into everyday life. A year later, it was clear that this ingenious concept needed to be further refined. The clean lines, the vibrant colors, the feather-light design – all of that remained unchanged. And anyone who sees the cheerful frames immediately understands why. But Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink wanted more: an innovation that not only captivates aesthetically but also makes the work of opticians easier and offers customers real benefits.
And that’s exactly what they did. “The heart of our new system is a box containing 28 interchangeable, cut lenses in seven diopter strengths – from +1.0 to +2.5,” explains Monika Fink. “This allows an optician to personalize the glasses in less than two minutes and use the optimal strength for each eye.” With this, “read on light customized” has succeeded in creating a surprisingly elegant solution in a long-neglected niche category: ready-made reading glasses that not only look good but, for the first time, can be individually customized according to a prescription. Another plus is sustainability. “When conventional ready-made reading glasses no longer fit or the lenses are scratched, they usually end up in the trash. With our glasses, the lenses can simply be replaced by an optician,” says Sandra Kaufmann.
Intelligent Modular System
This makes read on the only eyewear brand that gets by with just one frame style and two identical lens shapes – inspired by a smart, space-saving modular system. Everything is delivered to optical retailers in practical, stylish boxes: the foldable glasses in their case, the cords, the lenses – every component is well thought out, every function is practical, and every detail is lovingly designed.
“At read on, we combine a playful lifestyle with practical functionality – these are the glasses for on the go. We live in a mobile world, as urban nomads. Our accessories are designed to reflect that and adapt to our needs,” explains Monika Fink. But who are the two women behind this success? Sandra Kaufmann is an industrial designer who has been designing eyewear and watches for twenty years. She teaches in the Industrial Design department at Zurich University of the Arts, focusing on design and innovation. Monika Fink studied sculpture in Barcelona and works as an artist in Zurich. “We design eyewear first and foremost for ourselves – they’re products we’d like to have. But since we can’t find them anywhere, we simply create them,” she says. And Sandra Kaufmann adds, “We assume that many people have similar needs to ours.”
Two brands, two female designers
The two women from Zurich had already caused a sensation with their eyewear brand Sol Sol Ito. Their frames – clean, distinctive, and at the same time extravagant – have been delighting design enthusiasts for years. Swiss video and performance artist Pipilotti Rist is among their admirers, as are numerous international creatives who wear their glasses. Even Swiss supermodel Tamy Glauser designed her own frame for the label. “The innovation behind these frames lies in the rubber-buffered hinge. It’s very sturdy and practical, and has no screws that could get lost,” says Monika Fink. For this well-thought-out design, Sol Sol Ito was honored with the Red Dot Award and the German Design Award. The design language also breaks with traditional stereotypes: neither feminine nor masculine, but glasses for modern people – regardless of gender. Whether ready-to-wear reading glasses, sunglasses, or classic prescription eyewear the two women’s designs are far more than just functional companions: they are statements. Or as Sandra Kaufmann puts it: “Beauty and aesthetics are central aspects of our work. In our designs, we always seek added value that goes beyond mere styling.”
But let’s return once more to her startup, read on, and how it all began. This journey began in 2020 with “read on mobile,” an unassuming yet ingenious idea: a pair of ready-to-use reading glasses so thin and light that they could be effortlessly integrated into an iPhone case. A small accessory you didn’t even have to look for because it was simply always there – within reach, elegant, almost weightless. And so, the very first precursor to today’s version was born: four millimeters thin, available in black and transparent. Five years and several awards later, Monika Fink says, “With our customized version, we’ve perfectly realized our original idea.” And that’s certainly true.
Author: Denise Dollinger
– DOZ, 5/2026
«Is the Potential of the Reading Glasses Market Being Underestimated?»
Is the market segment for ready-to-wear reading glasses underutilized? That, at least, is the view of read on, known for its practical and stylish frames. The young Swiss brand estimates that this market, both globally and in France, could be up to twice as large as it is today…
According to the latest data from Euromonitor, the global market for ready-to-wear reading glasses is currently estimated to be worth between $4 billion and $5 billion. “However, there is every reason to believe that the potential market is much larger, as many customers are dissatisfied with the current offerings, mainly due to issues with design, comfort, and durability,” says read on, the brand founded a few years ago by Swiss entrepreneurs Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink. It’s worth noting that this Swiss brand, which has won several prestigious design awards, has made a name for itself, in particular, for its reading glasses integrated into iPhone cases and, more recently, through a customizable glasses kit in the form of a box containing about thirty lenses – covering seven diopters (+1.0 to +2.5) – for use at the optician’s counter.
“A total potential market 50 to 100% larger than the current market seems realistic,” estimate the Swiss design duo. And what about France in particular, which is, in their view, a “key market”? This market segment is currently worth nearly 92 million euros, with an estimated potential – according to read on – of up to twice that amount: “It should be between 130 and 175 million euros. Competing with pharmacies and big-box retailers, opticians clearly have a source of additional sales to tap into here...”
– Frequence Optic, 6/2026
«READ ON marks sixth anniversary»
Award-winning reading glasses company, read-on, marks its sixth anniversary by repositioning itself as an optical innovation platform. Known for embedding readers into iPhone cases, designing ultra-portable standalone ready-readers, and offering customizable eyewear kits, the company is now accelerating its plans to “scale-up” the business and unlock emerging opportunities.
Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink, co-founders and co-CEOs of read on, are redefining the ready-made reading glasses with a fresh and radical industrial design approach. With read on light, their newest fashionable, ultra-compact product, they have transformed the category from a pure necessity into desirable, design-driven accessories – seamlessly blending function with lifestyle.
“From the start of read on we have reimagined reading glasses as a fashion forward, ultra-portable accessory to express style and personality, beyond a purely functional tool,” says Sandra Kaufmann, co-founder, read on. “That has been our driver: to develop more than “just” reading glasses but an optical innovation platform. And the feedback from consumers exceeds our high expectations! As a result, growth has been in high double-digits since the launch.”
Recently, read on introduced their newest innovation – read on light customized, enabling in-store customization of ready-made readers with different lenses. With a practical lens box for the optician’s counter, which includes 28 interchangeable pre-cut lenses spanning seven diopter strengths (+1.0 to +2.5), read on light readers can be adapted to the specific optical needs of the customer in no time. The lens box is expected to quickly become an important growth driver in read on’s product portfolio.
“With the brand-new read on light customized version, we continue our innovation track-record and further strengthen the read on product innovation platform,” comments Monika Fink, co-founder, read on, about the latest innovation success. “We believe there is a multi-billion unaddressed market for such an offering that read on can break into and win a significant share of it. To fully capture this opportunity, we are now exploring options for partnerships and strategic transactions.”
read on is the third eyewear venture by Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink. Their first business in optics, Strada del Sole, was renowned for patented flat metal frames in the luxury segment, while their eyewear brand, SOL SOL ITO, offers a pioneering modular eyewear kit with a screwless hinge and interchangeable temples. Each venture reflects their ability to challenge conventions and rethink product design from the ground up.
Since launching read on in 2020 and its core product read on light in 2024, Sandra and Monika have led the creation of proprietary, category-defining eyewear that introduce entirely new ways of experiencing ready-made readers. What was once an overlooked, purely functional segment is now a dynamic lifestyle category. The brand has rapidly evolved into an award-winning international success, now present in around 20 countries.
readon-mobile.ch
– 20/20 europe, 5/2026
«READ ON light customized»
EXCELLENT PRODUCT DESIGN
– GERMAN DESIGN AWARD, 2026
«LENSES»
READ ON
LENS BOX FOR CUSTOMISATION
Slim, stylish, and unmistakably modern: award-winning reading glasses company read on has already “redefined on-the-go reading glasses with a signature flat-pack design and Apple-inspired aesthetic”. Now the company launches read on light customized, a new forward-thinking concept designed for the optician’s workspace: the unique lens box features 28 interchangeable pre-cut lenses spanning seven diopter strengths (+1.0 to +2.5). The compact box enables the optician to offer customized read on light glasses to their customer, changing the lenses as needed, conveniently in seconds. In a market where ready-made often means “one-size-fits-most,” read on light customized delivers professional-grade personalization without the complexity.
The read on light customized box will be launched at the international optical trade fair, Silmo.
readon-mobile.ch
– 2020, 10/2025
«Read on»
– L’ESSENTIEL DE L’OPTIQUE, 2/2025
«Accessoires»
Fürs Kleingedruckte
Einst hatten fixfertige Lesebrillen stilistisch
keinen guten Ruf, nun aber gibt es immer mehr gut gestaltete «Readers» auf dem Markt. Die Zürcher
Brillendesignerinnen Monika Fink und Sandra Kaufmann (Strada del Sole, Sol Sol Ito) haben mit READ ON eine kecke, erschwingliche Lesebrille entwickelt, die mittlerweile in 19 Ländern erhältlich ist. Das minimale Design lässt sich flach zusammenklappen. Erhältlich in sechs Farben. (kid.)
readon-mobile.ch
- Z-MAGAZIN NZZ, 3/2025
«Fresh looks»
READ ON
„Read On Light“ ist die neueste Innovation von Sandra Kaufmann und Monika Fink, den Mitbegründerinnen der Schweizer Brillenmarke Sol Sol Ito. Diese ultraleichten, farbigen Lesebrillen verkörpern Schweizer Designprinzipien: Präzision, Zeitgeist und Innovation. Nach ihrem Debüt im Jahr 2021 – ein schlankes TR90-Design, das in Smartphone-Hüllen verstaut werden kann – zeigte das Feedback, dass eine Lücke für flache, tragbare Brillen besteht. „Read On Light“ füllt diese Nische mit einem kühnen, zeitgemässen Stil und definiert Komfort und Design für moderne Lesebrillen neu. readon-mobile.com
– OPTICAL PRISM, JANUARY 2025
«Read on light recognised for
design excellence»
read on light readers recognized by Wallpaper* Magazine
The nifty, super lightweight read on light reading glasses have been awarded Highly Commended in the Most Wonderful Wearable category of the prestigious Wallpaper* Smart Space Awards. In a statement about the product by Wallpaper*, the judging body stated: “Beautifully packaged and presented, the glasses turn a hitherto overlooked object into something that’s highly desirable.”
The Wallpaper* Smart Space Awards celebrate those things that acknowledge the importance of longevity, simplicity and sustainability, as well as enduring quality, fitness for purpose, and good design. This accolade is designed to stand as distinguished recognition, highlighting each brand’s dedication to delivering creativity of the highest calibre.
read on light’ is a new super light reading glasses concept by Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink, the co-founders of Sol Sol Ito, a Swiss independent eyewear label established in 2012. The readers have a bold colourful and contemporary design, created according to the traditional principles of Swiss design: precision, perfection, zeitgeist + innovation. read on launched their first product in 2021, a super thin design of handy, lightweight TR90 reading glasses which can be stored discreetly inside a smartphone case. Feedback from this first launch showed that the market lacked a super slim contemporary reading glasses product with its own convenient case. Find out more: https://www.readon-mobile.com
- eyestylist, 10/2024
«Read on light:
foldable reading glasses design»
Zurich, Switzerland – read on, a Swiss reading glasses design company at the forefront of eyewear innovation, is proud to announce the launch of its latest innovation: ‘read on light’ - ultra-thin, lightweight, and highly flexible reading glasses, made of a high-quality, skin-friendly eyewear material (TR90). At only three millimetres, ‘read on light’ is one of the thinnest reading glasses on the market and offers the most colorful, contemporary eye-catching style – and practical, functional design.
‘read on’ was founded by Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink, eyewear innovators who established the fashionable Swiss eyewear brand ‘Sol Sol Ito’ and have won a number of prestigious design awards, including the German Design Award, the Good Design Award and most recently, the Red Dot Design Award. Three years ago, the team launched their first reading glasses product: slim, foldable reading glasses which fit neatly inside a smartphone case.
“read on light, our latest innovation, has been developed as the ultimate lightweight reading glasses product, with a fresh design, an ultra-convenient hard case and benefits such as skin-friendly materials,” said Sandra Kaufmann, industrial designer and co-founder of ‘read on’. “At Mido, where we have shown the product for the first time, the feedback we received was overwhelming. Opticians, distributors and eyewear enthusiasts from all over the world are very interested in ‘read on light’.”
Monika Fink, design artist and ‘read on’ co-founder, added: “We have developed the read on light collection with a minimal hard case that is easy to carry around and keep track of; the readers come in a selection of five, bright fashionable colovrs that have instant appeal. The interest and success we saw in Milan shows ‘read on light’ is a product innovation the optical industry has been waiting for.”
The new read on light glasses have been launched worldwide at the MIDO fair, Milan in February 2024. Every pair of read on light readers comes with a slim color-blocked hard case.
The product is currently available in the following colors: red, violet, jade, blue, black and yellow. A convenient, neck/shoulder strap accessory is available in matching colors. The strap features a silicone holder for ease of wear.
- Eyezone International, 4/2024
«read on, always lighter and thinner»
The Swiss start-up at the head of eyewear innovation presents its latest "red on light" innovation: ultra-thin, light and very flexible unisex reading glasses that are manufactured using a high-quality eyeglass material (TR90). Only three millimeters thick, "read on light" is one of thinnest reading glasses on the market. They fold up to slide into an ultra-thin and rigid protective case, available in five colors. The creators Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink, founders of the trendy eyeglass brand Sol Sol Ito and winners of many prestigious prizes, including the German Design Award, the Good Design Award and, most recently, the Red Dot Award, reinvented the design of reading glasses with their latest innovation.
- TRENDS BY SILMO 34, August 2024
«Read on, Shocking Chic Eyewear»
Eyewear innovators Sandra Kaufmann and Monica Fink searched for the perfect frame to fit them correctly before establishing their cutting-edge Swiss eyewear brand, Sol Sol Ito. “We both wear glasses, me for distance and Monika for better close-up vision,” Sandra told Eyestylist online. “With our different optical prescriptions, we felt this was a good starting point. Our brand name came from Sausalito, the seaside town north of San Francisco.”
After an apprenticeship in design engineering, Monika studied sculptural art in Barcelona and Geneva, and Sandra worked as an industrial engineer with years of experience in the Swiss watch industry. While a student, she desired to work at French industrial architect and engineer Philippe Starck's studio. Instead, she worked and learned extensively about glasses from Alain Mikli, his close friend and collection eyewear partner, whose creative designs have captured the imagination of glasses wearers worldwide.
The two women stay true to their individual approaches and reference traditional Swiss values, precision and perfection, relating to the contemporary demand for sustainability, authenticity and individuality. “We connect selected materials with careful craftsmanship and the newest innovation in manufacturing.” Sol Sol Ito’s accolades include the Swiss Design Award in 2013, the Red Dot Award in 2014, the Creative Hub Winner and the Pro Helvetia Matching Grant in 2019.
Their eyewear is deeply influenced by the Bauhaus movement founded in Weimar by German architect Walter Gropius. The Staatliches Bauhaus was an art school operating from 1919 to 1933 that combined crafts and the fine arts. Its radical concept reimagined the material world to reflect the unity of the arts, emphasising simplicity and high-quality craftsmanship in the brand’s glasses. Each frame is a limited edition with 50 pairs produced.
Sol Sol Ito has earned global recognition for its innovative and stylish frames since its inception in 2012, blending avant-garde aesthetics with practical functionality. The brand’s meticulous design, using high-quality materials like acetate for the frame fronts and steel filigree temples, connected by a distinctive plug-in system, enhances durability and ensures a sleek, modern look, establishing Sol Sol Ito as a trusted and renowned eyewear brand.
Its diverse collection includes classic frames, innovative wireframes and bold sunglasses. Each piece is crafted with a commitment to individually and style, making them a favourite among fashion-forward consumers who appreciate form and function. The frames are designed to be lightweight and comfortable, ensuring a perfect fit and easy wear throughout the day. The brand is also renowned for its interchangeable double bridges, replacement nose pads and screw-less hinges.
Earlier this year, Sol Sol Ito unveiled their latest innovation, read on light, at the MIDO Milano Eyewear Fair. This revolutionary concept made from flexible TR90 material in trendy colours integrates ultra-thin, functional, foldable reading glasses into a compact hard shell. The glasses are durable with anti-allergic qualities and come in four different diopter strengths, reflecting Sol Sol Ito's commitment to merging convenience with high design standards.
“The feedback we received from people at MIDO was overwhelming. Opticians, distributors and eyewear enthusiasts worldwide are interested in read on light,” Sandra said. “As we had a lot of enquiries about whether the reading glasses could also be purchased without the iPhone case, we developed the light collection with matching hard case and in five fashionable colours. The success in Milan shows that we have hit the pulse of the times with read on light,” Monika added.
Read On represents the essence of Swiss engineering, where form and material are combined to perfection to create outstanding iconic products such as the Swiss pocket knife. The temples’ patented design allows them to be folded in one plane with the frames, while the thinner lenses ensure they do not scratch when pushed out of the case or lying on a table. The sunny state of California’s colourful and lively design spirit is said to be the project’s inspiration.
“The convenience, mobility, and accessibility of the American lifestyle, complemented by Swiss uncompromising quality and reliability, are the blueprint of our brand,” Sol Sol Ito said. “Our eyewear showcases a vivid colour palette and captivating design. We believe that reading glasses should evoke pure enjoyment with every use, enhancing your everyday moments.” Thus read on glasses wearers can appreciate a modern, clean and fresh aesthetic in practical accessories that fit seamlessly into their daily lives.
Users will experience fine print and razor-sharp, high resolution by sliding the read on glasses with their extra-long temples to the tip of their nose to focus, if needed, and fold them back down to a flat three millimetres after use. The glasses are protected in the compact hard shell or the unique iPhone case, making it a purist design object with a touch of extravagance. The perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics has fascinated the whole world.
The read on glasses have won prestigious awards, such as the German Design Award and the Red Dot Design Award, and are available online.
Text: Cristina Lloyd
– biteglasses , 8/2024
«New ‘read on’ reading glasses offer lightweight, colourful design»
read on, a Swiss reading glasses design company at the forefront of eyewear innovation, has announced the launch of its latest innovation: ‘read on light’ - ultra-thin, lightweight, flexible reading glasses, made of a quality, skin-friendly eyewear material (TR90). At only three millimetres, ‘read on light’ is described as one of the thinnest reading glasses on the market and offers the most colourful, contemporary eye-catching style – and practical, functional design.
‘read on’ was founded by Sandra Kaufmann and Monika Fink, eyewear innovators who established the fashionable Swiss eyewear brand 'Sol Sol Ito' and have won a number of design awards, including the German Design Award, the Good Design Award and most recently, the Red Dot Design Award. Three years ago, the team launched their first reading glasses product: slim, foldable reading glasses which fit neatly inside a smartphone case.
“read on light, our latest innovation, has been developed as the ultimate lightweight reading glasses product, with a fresh design, an ultra-convenient hard case and benefits such as skin-friendly materials,” said Sandra Kaufmann, industrial designer and co-founder of ‘read on’. “At Mido, where we have shown the product for the first time, the feedback we received was overwhelming. Opticians, distributors and eyewear enthusiasts from all over the world are very interested in ‘read on light’.”
– 20/20 europe, international eye fashion, June 2024
«Auslese»
Auf Diät: Die neuste Innovation von read on, einem Start-up
des Schweizer Brillenlabels Sol Sol Ito, ist gerade mal 3 Millimeter dick und damit eine der dünnsten Lesebrillen auf dem Markt. Nachdem vor drei Jahren bereits die faltbare Lesebrille der Brillenmarke für Furore sorgte, kommt die ultradünne, leichte und flexible «read on light» nun ohne iPhone-Hülle, dafür mit passendem Hartschalen-Etui in fünf aussagekräftigen Farben daher. www.readon-mobile.ch
- DAS IDEALE HEIM, 4/2024
«Hochwertig, unisex und nur drei Millimeter dick»
Read on, das Schweizer Start-up-Unternehmen, das vor drei Jahren mit der genialen Idee, die Lesebrille in der iPhone-Hülle unterzubringen, auf den Markt gekommen ist, lanciert in Kürze eine neue Innovation. Die beiden Gründerinnen, Sandra Kaufmann und Monika Fink, haben die faltbare Lesebrille weiterentwickelt. Neu ist diese ultraleichte, flexible und aus hochwertigem Brillenmaterial (TR90) gefertigte Unisex-Lesebrille nur noch drei Millimeter dick – und in mehreren Farben erhältlich. Auch kann man die Lesebrille nun ohne die Handyhülle kaufen, dafür schick in einem flachen und robusten Case, farblich passend zur Brille. Wir hatten sehr viele Anfragen, ob man die Lesebrille ohne Handyhülle kaufen kann, und so haben wir die Light-Variante entwickelt. Die Lesebrille mit dem farblich abgestimmten Etui – Read on light», erklärt Sandra Kaufmann. Im März war das Read on Team an der Brillenmesse Vision Expo in New York und hat dort zum ersten Mal die neue Kollektion vorgestellt. «Das Feedback und Interesse war sehr gross und das hat uns darin bestätigt, die Entwicklung weiterzuführen», fügt Monika Fink an. Die Lancierung von Read on light ist im Herbst in Zürich geplant und die Lesebrille wird dann auch erhältlich sein. Bestellungen können schon jetzt getätigt werden. Übrigens: Read on hat kürzlich den renommierten Red Dot Design Award 2023 gewonnen, eine weitere Auszeichnung für das innovative Team aus Zürich. Weiter so!
Text: Denise Dollinger
- Schweizer Optiker, 9/2023
«Certificate
Red Dot Winner 2023»
read on
– Red Dot Design Award, 2023
«iPhone-Hülle mit Lesebrille»
read on
Pragmatische Überlegungen zum alltäglichen Umgang mit Lesebrillen führten zur Entwicklung von read on, einer iPhone-Hülle mit integrierter Lesebrille. Die kompakte, reduziert gestaltete und multifunktionale iPhone-Hülle bietet Platz für die nur 3 mm flache Lesebrille. In ihrem geschützten Fach ist die Sehhilfe nicht nur leicht zu finden und damit ständig verfügbar, sie kann auch nicht durch andere, in derselben Tasche transportierte Gegenstände, beispielsweise Schlüssel, verkratzen oder etwa verloren gehen. Die Jury hob sowohl die außerordentlich praktischen Aspekte des Produktes hervor als auch dessen raffinierte Gestaltung, die eine innovative Brillentypologie für Männer und Frauen hervorbringt.
- Red Dot Design Auszeichnung , 2023
«Handyhülle mit Durchblick»
Die Business-Idee
Eine Lesebrille so schmal und flach, dass sie in einer Smartphone-Hülle verstaut werden kann – solch ein effizientes Gadget hat das Zürcher Design-Startup Read on entwickelt. «Wir sind eine iPhone-Accessory-Firma und die Read-on-Case mit integrierter Lesebrille ist unser erstes Produkt», sagt Gründerin Sandra Kaufmann. «So braucht man kein Etui mehr, hat die Brille aber stets geschützt dabei.» Seit 2017 lag die Idee quasi in der Schublade der Designerin. Mit Beginn der Corona-Pandemie fand sie endlich Zeit für die Umsetzung. Mittlerweile ist der Markteintritt in der Schweiz und in den USA geschafft. Stefan Mair und Sira Huwiler-Flamm
- Handelszeitung, 27/2022
«EYE PRO GEAR»
APRIL-LISTE ERFOLGREICHER PRODUKTE
#TRENDING
In Handyhüllen integrierte Lesebrillen sind gefragt, schliesslich haben wir unsere Smartphones immer dabei. READ ON - jetzt auch in den USA erhältlich - ist eine elegante Lesebrille, die in einer TPU-Hülle mit Soft-Touch-Oberfläche für die iPhone Modelle XR bis 13 Pro Max Platz findet. 49.90 $, readon-mobile.com
- INVISIONMAG.COM, 4/2022
«Schweizer Design für das iPhone::
Hülle mit integrierter Lesebrille»
Das Schweizer Start-Up-Unternehmen «Read on» hat eine faltbare Lesebrille entwickelt, die sich in einer iPhone-Hülle verstauen lässt. Die faltbare Lesebrille ist aus ultraleichtem, flexiblem und hochwertigem Brillenmaterial (TR90) gefertigt und in vier Dioptriestärken erhältlich. Der robuste Kunststoff TPU wurde für die iPhone-Hülle gewählt und schützt die Brille – sogar, wenn man sich daraufsetzt. www.readon-mobile.com
- Schweizer Optiker, 5/2021
«Read on»
PRODUKT
Fast jede dritte Person nutzt eine Lesebrille, viele haben das Smartphone, den Schlüsselbund und die Brille in der Hosentasche. Die Lesebrille wird dabei zerkratzt und geht regelmäßig verloren. Daher entwickeln wir eine einfache, multifunktionale iPhone-Hülle mit extrem flacher integrierter Lesebrille. Das Produkt ist reduziert, funktional, kompakt und unisex, die Designsprache orientiert sich an iPhones und nicht an üblichen Brillen. Es entsteht eine neuartige Brillentypologie.
JURYBEGRÜNDUNG
Die Kombination aus iPhone-Hülle und integrierter Lesebrille ist schmal, kompakt und doch hoch funktional gehalten und bietet somit eine praktische Option zum Verstauen. Die Bügel lassen sich rechtwinklig zusammenfalten, so dass das Brillenprofil sehr kompakt ist und die Lesebrille gut in die Hülle passt.
– German Design Award, special mention, 2/2021
«Für den Durchblick»
Das Handy ist ständiger Begleiter, die Lesebrille hingegen wird oft vergessen. Damit das nicht mehr passiert, gibt es «Read on» – in der Hülle fürs iPhone ist eine Brille integriert. In verschiedenen Dioptrien für 49.90 Fr. bei www.readon-mobile.com
- Schweizer Familie, 42/2020
«Read on»
Bereits das dritte Brillenunternehmen hat die Industriedesignerin Sandra Kaufmann gegründet. Stets geht es um eine Erfindung an einem Gegenstand, der längst erfunden ist. Bei ‹ Strada del Sole › schmiegen sich die klickbaren Bügel an die Rundung der Gläser, wenn die Brille in der Hosentasche aufbewahrt wird siehe Hochparterre 6 – 7 / 07. Für ‹ Sol Sol Ito › hat sie mit der Künstlerin Monika Fink einen charakteristischen Bügel aus Federstahl entwickelt, der ausgewechselt werden kann siehe Hochparterre 3 / 15. Nun haben die beiden mit ‹ Read on › ein weiteres Brillenlabel gegründet – eines, das sich nach der Korrektur und der Sonnenbrille der Lesebrille annimmt. Diese kommt nicht alleine, sondern ist in einer Hülle für ein iPhone untergebracht. Sie passt in alle Gesichter, egal welchen Geschlechts. In Schwarz oder Weiss und in vier Dioptriestärken erhältlich verschwindet die Brille flach zusammengeklappt in der Smartphone-Hülle aus robustem, thermoplastischem Kunststoff. Fällt die Hülle mit Smartphone und Brille zu Boden, lindern federnde Ecken den Aufprall. Die weiche Oberfläche schmeichelt dem Griff. Eine Aussparung in der Hülle zeigt, ob die Brille im nur gerade vier Millimeter hohen Brillenfach steckt, das die vollständig plan faltbare Lesebrille aufnimmt und Smartphone wie Brille schützt. Der Brillenrahmen ist aus dem leichten Kunststoff TR 90 gefertigt, der als antiallergisch, langlebig und bruchresistent gilt. Die Innenseiten der langen, gerade verlaufenden Bügel sind geriffelt, um den Halt zu verbessern. Damit die Brillengläser nicht an der Hülle kratzen, steht die Fassung leicht über das Korrekturglas. Brillen sind Architekturen für das Gesicht. Das verlangt nach einer sicheren Gestaltung im Millimeterbereich. Bei ‹ Read on › geht es nicht um die modische Variation, sondern um den Moment, in dem ältere Augen die schnelle Lesehilfe brauchen. Für diesen Zweck haben Sandra Kaufmann und Monika Fink eine formale Lösung gesucht, die entfernt an einen Zwicker erinnert, in strenger Symmetrie und in reduzierter, aber – im Vergleich zum glatten iPhone-Design – eigenständiger Formensprache. Und weil wir unsere Zeitschriften und Zeitungen längst auch mobil lesen, ist die Brille in der Handyhülle am richtigen Ort. Meret Ernst
- Hochparterre, 10/2020
«Soif de design»
Case für iPhone mit integrierter Lesebrille "Read on", Design Sol Sol Ito
- Espace Contemporains, 10/2020
«Vienna Design Week»
«Read on» ist eine multifunktionale iPhone-Hülle mit integrierter Lesebrille.
- Wohnrevue, 10/2020
«Zwei smarte Schweizerinnen können, was keine App kann – sie statten ein Smartphone mit ihrer Lesebrille aus»
Monika Fink und Sandra Kaufmann, erfolgreich mit ihrem Brillenlabel Sol Sol Ito, haben ein zweites Start-up gegründet: Read On. Das iPhone ist mit einer Unisex-Lesebrille in einem speziellen Cover ausgestattet. Jürg Zbinden
- Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 11/2020
"Smartphone plus"
Die Idee ist grossartig, die Umsetzung äusserst gelungen, die nächste Auszeichnung garantiert. Aber mal ganz langsam: Das Smartphone, stets verfügbar und präsent, nimmt für uns die oft verlegte Lesebrille bei sich in der Hülle auf. Plötzlich sind die Gläser allzeit bereit. Wenn auf dem Handy-Bildschirm das nächste SMS oder Mail darauf wartet, gelesen zu werden. Wenn im Restaurant das Menü zu klein geschrieben ist und unscharf unleserlich wirkt. Wenn das Label im Kaschmirpullover kaum zu entziffern ist. Sandra Kaufmann, Industriedesignerin, und Monika Fink, Künstlerin, haben sich des kleinen lästigen Problems angenommen, vor allem haben sie es funktionell und attraktiv gelöst. Mit einer superleichten, zusammenklappbaren Brille, die in einer schlanken Hülle neben dem Smartphone problemlos Platz findet. Insider kennen Sandra Kaufmann und Monika Fink von ihrer Brillenkollektion Sol Sol Ito, die leicht an den filigranen Bügeln aus leichtestem Stahl zu erkennen ist. Auszeichnung nach Auszeichnung hat das Duo gewonnen, vom Swiss Design Award bis zum Red Dot Award. Und die nächste dürfte nicht lange auf sich warten lassen.
- BIANCO, Sommer 2020
«Smartphone mit Aussicht»
Augen und Smartphone schützen, diese Wette hat Read on gewonnen. Das Startup hat eine Hülle für die iPhones XR, 11 und 11 Pro Max entwickelt. Sie ist robust und enthält eine Unisex-Lesebrille. Gegründet wurde das Unternehmen in Zürich von Sandra Kaufmann und Monika Fink, die bereits an der Spitze ihrer Brillenmarke namens Sol Sol Ito stehen. Sokhna Cissé
Hülle und Lesebrille, 49.90 Fr. bei readon-mobile.com
- Femina, 11/2020
«Flache Hierarchie»
Lesebrille und Smartphone – für viele gleich wichtig und gleich schnell verlegt. Industriedesignerin Sandra Kaufmann und Künstlerin Monika Fink aus Zürich schaffen mit ihrer Handyhülle mit flach zusammenklappbarer Lesebrille Abhilfe. readon-mobile.com
- MIS MAGAZIN, Winter 2020/2021
«Wo ist sie bloss?»
Lesebrillen gehen schnell verloren. Read on soll da Abhilfe schaffen. Die iPhonehülle der Gestalterinnen Sandra Kaufmann und Monika Fink enthält eine Lesebrille im extra integrierten Fach. Jetzt müssen Sie sich nur noch erinnern, wo Sie Ihr Handy gelassen haben.
- Annabelle, 15/2020
«Die Lesebrille für das iPhone-Zeitalter»
Generalüberholung für die herkömmliche Lesebrille: Read on bringt eine Smartphonehülle mit Lesebrille im integrierten Brillenfach auf den Schweizer Markt. Das Startup will nicht nur den hiesigen sondern bald schon den amerikanischen Markt erobern.
Fast jede dritte Person braucht eine Lesebrille. Manche haben gleich mehrere günstige Brillen zuhause – und dann doch keine zur Hand, wenn man schnell einen Text entziffern müsste. Das Smartphone hingegen verlegt man weniger oft. Damit künftig für die Lesebrille dasselbe gilt haben die Startup-Gründerinnen Monika Fink und Sandra Kaufmann Read on kreiert: eine Handy-Hülle mit integrierter Lesebrille. Das Startup hat eine flach faltbare Brille entwickelt, welche vollständig in das nur vier Millimeter hohe Brillenfach der Smartphone-Hülle passt. Vorerst produziert das Startup Handy-Hüllen für die neuste iPhone-Generation.
Für den Vertrieb des Produktes fokussieren sich die Gründerinnen auf den E-Commerce-Kanal. Die Hülle ist seit wenigen Wochen bei Digitec, Galaxus und im eigenen Webshop erhältlich. Aktuell laufen Verhandlungen mit einem europäischen Grosshändler als weiteren Vertriebspartner.
Kaufmann und Fink können auf die Erfahrungen als Serial Entrepreneurs bauen. Read on ist bereits das dritte Startup der beiden Female Founders. Mit dem ersten gemeinsamen Unternehmen Sol Sol Ito haben sie sich auf limitierte Brillen im Luxusbereich spezialisiert. Als nächsten Meilenstein strebt das Startup, das aktuell auch das Innosuisse Coaching Programm absolviert, den Marktzugang in den USA an. Für diesen Schritt sind sie gerade auf Investorensuche. «Im amerikanischen Markt sehen wir grosses Potential, da dort Convenience-Produkte beliebt sind und prozentual noch mehr Menschen eine Lesebrille benötigen als in Europa», sagt Co-Gründerin Monika Fink. Mindestens ein Grund sorgt für Optimismus: Mit den Design-Brillen von Sol Sol Ito hat der Markteintritt in den USA bereits geklappt. Fabienne Roos
- Startup-Ticker 11/2020
«Genial»
Die ewige Lesebrille-Sucherei hat endlich ein Ende! Die steckt man fortan elegant in die «read on»-Hülle fürs iPhone. Und das ist ja wirklich ständig zur Hand.
- Sonntagszeitung, 15/11/2020