Made for Meta

Packaging with lens inserts and Meta Quest 3 VR headset

Project details

Date: Q3 2023 | Client: Zenni x Made for Meta
Role: Packaging Designer & Producer | Tools used: Illustrator, Figma
Skills practiced: Packaging Design, Art Direction, Project Management

Project overview

In partnership with Meta, Zenni launched prescription lens inserts for the Meta Quest 3 VR headset. Developing high-quality prescription lens inserts was a game-changer for the VR space, as many users reported frustration wearing their prescription glasses with the spacer in previous iterations of the headset. The prescription lenses allow users to experience VR without their glasses, and because the lenses are larger than glasses, their view is literally expanded. Throughout the design process, this theme of equity, expanding horizons, and dreaming broadly was embedded in our strategy.

Project goals

With 3 months to launch, the main goal of the packaging project was to develop a structure that would securely hold a pair of lens inserts, carrying case, cleaning cloth, and information card.

User Personas

Jill: Non-tech-savvy mom with kids that want a VR headset. Jill will not buy a headset for her household today, because she is concerned about her kids eye health.

Bill: The gamer that loves headsets and is an early adopter of new VR tech. Bill would be interested in prescription lens inserts, but was not aware these exist and is worried about affordability.
Will: Existing Zenni customer who learned about this partnership via our homepage. They plan to purchase the new VR headset and decided to purchase the prescription lens inserts before the headset, due to convenience and being a loyal Zenni customer.

Scope of work

As Packaging Designer & Producer on this project, I provided the following services:

Packaging development
Dieline creation
Graphic design
Logo lockup
3D renderings of mockups
Deck for presentations
Production design

Click on an image below to expand it.

Art direction moodboard

Pattern explorations by Bonnie Weglin

Early carrying case form factor ideas

Early outer box concepts

File organization and dieline creation in Illustrator

Paper mockups for quoting

Sample review deck page

PMS printing on carrying case

Assembly demonstration

Design process

1. Inspiration

I began with researching the VR space, listening to what prescription eyewear customers were saying about VR headsets, and auditing design trends in the gaming industry. I synthesized my findings into a moodboard for design direction.

2. Development

I’ve learned through my years working in print that all good packaging design starts with paper, not on the computer. Using measurements from the optical lab on the lens insert prototype, I designed the packaging outward, starting with the carrying case. In partnership with our China Team, we requested samples of materials, mockups, and color proofs from print vendors. Finally, we tested shipping a pair of lens inserts from California to Ohio to ensure the product arrived safely in good condition. Through review and iteration, we arrived at a final design that the entire team was proud of.

3. Review

To keep our schedule on track throughout development, I prepared rounds of review for Meta and our in-house stakeholders to provide feedback. These reviews were provided as professional Figma decks with annotated mockups, 3D renderings, and materials specifications. The decks worked well as production notes for our China Team, too!

4. Production

By staying in close contact with our China Team from the getgo, I ensured all materials and production methods were available and within budget. When it came to production, I developed complex dielines in Illustrator, built tidy production-ready artwork on those dielines, and preflight everything before press. The first shipment of packaging arrived with ample time before launch of the Meta Quest 3 headset, so our packing team could train on efficient assembly.

Final results