PARIS—Silmo Paris has announced the final list of nominated projects up for consideration in its annual Optical Design Contest, representing a short list of 10 that was culled from entries submits by students around the world. The 2026 edition of the Optical Design Contest, themed “The Future of Optics: What Vision?,” asked design students to rethink eyewear through the lens of design, innovation and new uses. Olivier Lapidus, a designer whose career spans fashion, design and innovation, chairs the 2026 jury for the contest.
“Because innovation also begins with fresh ideas, Silmo Paris has made supporting emerging talent one of its core commitments,” the announcement stated. “More than an international gathering for the optical industry, the exhibition nurtures creativity, encourages experimentation and shines a spotlight on the designers shaping tomorrow’s optical world.”
Reflecting the diversity of design cultures and the creativity of a new generation, Silmo Paris said, the projects “present bold concepts that are already helping to shape the conversation around the future of optics.” The ten nominated projects will be showcased at Silmo Paris 2026 before one overall winner is selected, with the winning project receiving a €10,000 prize to share equally between the student and their educational institution.
The shortlisted projects for the 2026 Optical Design Contest, as shared by Silmo Paris, are as follows:
ALOGAKI – Elsa de Miguel / Paula Gómez / Adriana González – Universidad de Valladolid (Spain)
A premium system designed for deaf and visually impaired users inspired by the praying mantis. It features a stabilizing wing that enables the frame to transform into a standalone hearing implant when removed, powered by a dedicated micro-battery.
ARCH TERRAIN – Megan Brodmerkel – Savannah College of Art and Design (USA)
Adaptive sports eyewear designed for climbing, hiking and cycling. The temple tension and lens-to-face distance are easily adjustable using a BOA-inspired dial, combined with an elastic hinge and precision rail system.
DREAMSCAPE – Sophia Denison – Savannah College of Art and Design (USA)
An experimental eyewear collection addressing the modern “attention crisis” by recreating dream-like sensory experiences through visual distortion.
EMOSLOW – Océane Gallais – CY Cergy Paris Université (France)
Smart eyewear for children aged 8 to 12 experiencing concentration difficulties, anxiety, hypersensitivity or emotional regulation disorders like ADHD and ASD. Features an integrated heart-rate sensor that monitors the children’s heartbeat and triggers electrochromic lenses that gradually change color as stress levels increase to help children recognize and express their emotions. A companion mobile app provides personalized monitoring and guided breathing exercises.
GROUND – Tidiane Cardot / Atlas Ozer / Theo Vanpoperynghe – Rubika ISD (France)
“Transition eyewear” equipped with an EEG sensor that captures brainwaves and generates animated cymatic patterns with electrochromic lenses, helping users to move smoothly between periods of cognitive effort through guided meditation or refocusing.
HALO – Thibault Lacroix / Basile Fruteau de Laclos – L’École de Design Nantes Atlantique (France)
Dual-lens eyewear designed for Gen Z working in open-plan and flexible offices. Pairs a corrective lens with a second polycarbonate lens that incorporates Solid Polymerized Gel Suspended Particle Device technology, allowing the wearer’s peripheral vision to darken electronically at the touch of a button for enhanced concentration.
LEARNING TO SEE – Sini VIRTANEN – Aalto University, School of Art Design and Architecture (Finland)
AI-powered eyewear combining eye tracking, computer vision and augmented reality to reverse the traditional learning process by enabling users to “see like an expert” before acquiring theoretical knowledge across subjects like architecture, biology and history.
LUPO – Amandine Crépin – CY Cergy Paris Université (France)
Children’s eyewear made from recycled polycarbonate with photosensitive pigments that change from transparent to violet when exposed to UV light, encouraging sun protection awareness in a fun and engaging way.
PROME – Camille Déniel – L’École de Design Nantes Atlantique (France)
A piece of “everyday jewelry” crafted from recycled stainless steel and featuring interchangeable temples in small, medium and large, as well as magnetic accessories that allow users to change the look of their frames without replacing the entire pair.
SPORA – Mateo Caballero Rodrigo / Mario Carrasco García / Gabriel Casado Matesanz- Universidad de Valladolid (Spain)
Eyewear grown using mycelium cultivated on agricultural waste, then molded and stabilized through gentle heat treatment. The result is a 100 percent biodegradable and compostable frame.
The 2026 edition of Silmo Paris will take place from September 25 through September 28 at Paris Nord Villepinte. Registration is open online here.
