Bond Touch
Connecting loved ones through touch
Startup · Wearables · Design leadership · Art direction
1 Product Managers
2 Designers
5 Developers
2 Customer support agents
2 Marketing specialists
Team
Timeline
2017 – 2020 (on and off)
Tools
Sketch, Figma, Miro, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), Asana, Shopify
iOS & Android apps, online shop, packaging, design system, social media assets, illustration, animation
My contributions
My role
Product Design, Branding, Graphic Design, User Research
Bond Touch is a pair of bracelets that helps people stay connected through touch. One person taps their bracelet, and the other's instantly lights up and gently buzzes.
Project context
The idea for Bond Touch originated from the former COO at Impossible Labs, who was seeking a way to maintain a sense of closeness with his girlfriend despite being miles apart.
Initially met with skepticism, the concept gained traction when a 3D rendering went viral on Twitter back in 2016, prompting thousands of inquiries about its availability. This overwhelming response led to the incubation of Bond Touch within Impossible Labs, with a dedicated team, including myself, tasked with bringing this idea to life.
Now available both online and in retail stores worldwide, Bond Touch serves a thriving community of over 1 million users, bringing loved ones closer no matter the distance.
My role
I joined the Bond Touch team in its early stages, beginning with just a few 3D renders and some questionable Photoshop montages. My first task was to build our online shop on Shopify.
As part of the design team at Impossible Labs, a design agency, I worked on Bond Touch intermittently. However, I became fully dedicated to the project during the planning of version two, taking on the role of design lead and full-stack, do-it-all designer.
First launch
The initial version of Bond Touch began with a presale campaign while we awaited the completion of the hardware. This extended process led to numerous frustrated emails from eager customers.
After months of development, troubleshooting, and significant investment, we finally launched Bond Touch. Although it wasn’t without flaws, it marked the beginning of our journey in emotional wearables.
User feedback
➔ The bracelet required assembly by the customers (IKEA style). Users found the assembly instructions unclear, leading to frustration and a suboptimal user experience.
➔ The battery life wasn’t long enough.
➔ The Bond Touch app wasn’t reliable in some phone models, leaving some users feeling alienated from the experience.
A few of many angry emails sent to customer support during pre-sales.
A new Bond Touch
As the lead designer at the time, I was responsible for multiple design artefacts, including the app, online shop, packaging, brand, and social media assets. Despite being a small team – essentially one and a half people – we worked at a fast pace to roll out the new and improved version.
The second release of Bond Touch aimed to address the issues from the previous version, while enhancing the overall user experience.
We ditched the “DIY” bracelet and developed a simple silicone band, available in five different colours, that could be easily opened and closed.
Improved bracelet design
Following users’ feedback, our hardware team dedicated extra time to make Bond Touch waterproof and have a longer battery life.
Better hardware
We took the opportunity to rethink the Bond Touch look, which would then be applied to the app, website, packaging, etc.
New branding
Security, feeling connected and higher retention rate were our main goals with the app.
New app features
With a new brand design, we also needed to change the packaging, but this time we had much more freedom (and money) to design an amazing box.
New packaging
With a larger team, we had the opportunity to revamp the entire website. Browsing products and the checkout experience were our main priorities.
Better shop experience
App design
APP UI/UX
To emphasise intimacy and create a contrast with the glowy touch replay patterns, the app was designed with a dark theme.
Dark Theme
The main screen focused on the partner, featuring their profile picture, phone and bracelet status, mainly to keep the connection personal and intimate.
Focus on the other person
Users can replay touches they had received on their bracelet, adding sentimental value to the interaction.
Touch History
APP FEATURES
A feature for setting a date and countdown until the couple's next meeting was introduced, adding excitement and anticipation to their interactions.
Next Encounter
All icons and illustrations were custom-made by me, contributing to a unique and cohesive visual identity.
Custom Icons and Illustrations
The app features a secure, encrypted chat where couples can exchange messages and share disappearing photos. Access to these photos is protected, requiring a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID for viewing.
Private Space
Private Space – chat
Private Space – photo gallery
Bracelet settings
One of the many flows of the app
Online shop
As we prepared to launch a new version of Bond Touch, we decided to revamp our online shop on Shopify. Previously, the site used a limited default template and outdated brand assets. This time, we had the opportunity to thoughtfully plan, test, and iterate, resulting in a more personalized storefront and an enhanced shopping experience.
I took charge of the website design, directed product photoshoots, and created numerous assets, including illustrations, icons, and photo edits.
The TPU band page was designed to change as the user picked from the colour list. The overall colour scheme changes to match the band’s colour.
After I left the team, Bond Touch went through a rebranding process and the website no longer looks like this. Nevertheless, traces of my contributions can still be seen, particularly in the product pages where the legacy of my work carries on.
First sketches of the MVP, created through a collaborative effort from several team members.
Packaging design
I had the chance to step out of my comfort zone and undertake the design of Bond Touch's packaging. I truly loved the process of crafting a box that countless individuals would interact with. I assumed the role of the lead designer for this aspect of the product.
A new box
The new packaging had to be designed with physical stores in mind. Therefore, our design incorporated several considerations: the brand logo was made visible from multiple angles and the box provided a brief product description.
Following numerous sketches, prototypes, print tests, and dozens of exchanged emails with the factory, we achieved a compact and delightful packaging solution.
Check out the unboxing videos for version 1 and version 2 of the Bond Touch packaging.
A few of many prototypes of the boxes (+ me)
Blueprint of box’s mechanics
Bond’s success and media attention
Bond Touch was a highly anticipated product that achieved significant global success, particularly in the United States, where long-distance relationships are common among young couples.
The bracelets went viral on social media even before the initial launch, continuing to capture the public's attention, including celebrities like Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, and Millie Bobby Brown.
The product's evolution extended beyond my time with the team, with numerous updates, improvements, and new devices being added to the Bond Touch family.
