CobaltNiche explore a new digital camera idea by revisiting a simpler and slower age.

Products today like digital cameras, occupy a wide range of sub-categories and markets such as ultra-compact, semi-manual, rugged etc. Within this proliferation, we set out to see if design can find a less obvious niche which picks up on an emerging movement.

Inspired by the 70s

The one10 Camera references 110 film cameras from the 1970s. At the time 110 film cameras made by Kodak, Agfa and Haminex helped make photography more accessible in cost, simplicity and size.

Our concept takes a leading digital technology and applies subtle retro styling and a unique slide-out opening that harks back to a simpler age.

A simple 'slow' solution

CobaltNiche wanted to explore the 'slow movement' within product design and how this can re-invent a popular product, such as the ubiquitous digital camera. Slow food, slow travel and slow living is a philosophy that seeks to humanise and simplify how we live and sustainably appreciate the world around us. This thinking can be equally applied to technological products, to appeal to people who want products that enhance their lifestyle, not impress with features they do not need or cannot use.
The one10 Camera is designed to be gripped and used like cameras of old - pressed up against an eye with feet shoulder-width apart. Like 110 film cameras its orientated horizontally. Just in case though, there is a flip-down LCD for Generation Y users, who have never known anything but digital cameras held out at arm’s length.
The touchscreen also allows a large control interface to enable both basic and advanced functions to be accessed by people with normal sized fingers.
Whilst there are no plans to develop the one10 camera any further, we hope manufacturers take the cue that the past can provide inspiration for the future, and that technology should only help the users' experience, and not be an end unto itself.