Not the "Regular" Fit: A Socio-technical Systems Approach to Designing Eyewear in South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, there is a scarcity of prescription glasses manufacturers and the majority of locally available eyewear frames are imported. A significant portion of this imported eyewear comes from a single umbrella organisation, which designs eyewear from a predominantly Eurocentric perspective. For example, there are currently only two types of eyewear fit, the "regular" fit, based on European facial data, and the "Asian" or "global" fit, which was developed in reaction to the inappropriateness of the "regular" fit for this market. In South Africa, a country with a significantly diverse population, there is an opportunity for properly fitting eyewear that is often not accommodated by either of these fits. Improper fitment causes discomfort and leads to blurry vision and long-term vision problems. Fitment is however not the only problem with the currently imported frames. The South African eyewear industry is a complex system, with both social and technical challenges that often influence the process of how someone would go about acquiring prescription glasses. This paper explores a design research study that was undertaken to address some of the local eyewear complexities through the design of a product, guided by theories of socio-technical systems, appropriate technology and human-centred design. The outcome was an adaptable eyewear frame that could be produced locally, whilst better considering the needs of glasses wearers in the South African context. Following such a design research approach ensures that the product outcome is attuned to local needs; such an approach could be beneficial to a wide range of localized industries in the Global South.