Additional Media
Client Situation
Tyrell came to Worrell with a creative technology using bursts of heat to treat acne. The enclosure for this technology however was completely undefined and Zeno had no predecessor. Furthermore, Tyrell needed FDA approval (510K filing) on an aggressive schedule for a brand new technology.
Zeno needed to have a high-end cosmetic feel plus the promise and legitimacy of a medical product, as Tyrell wanted to distribute the product through dermatologists. Because Zeno is most effective in treating acne in its earliest stages, it had to be aesthetically pleasing enough for users (both male and female) to use and carry with them in a variety of environments. Worrell was asked to "make it look like an mp3 player."
Result
Worrell began with research, digging into the high-end cosmetic and skincare industries for relevant color trends and shapes. While keeping the overall product size small and light (portability was key), design concepts were generated. Foam models of the concepts were created and tested to ensure usability.
Aesthetically, Tyrell settled on a design concept utilizing electroplated ABS and back-painted acrylic panels creating a metal-like appearance communicating value, but not adding the weight or costs associated with other material options.
In less than six months, Worrell completed the design as well as the mechanical, electrical and software engineering. 8,000 pre-production parts were also created. Zeno received FDA approval, and Tyrell — the medical technology start-up of 2004 — quickly became the leader of today’s high-end skincare category. Today, Zeno dominates the high-end skincare category and is available in a variety of retail environments, including Walgreens and Target. Stranathan says that Zeno’s success was linked to its FDA approval as well as its design. "Zeno’s design has iconic stature within a category that previously didn’t exist. As a result we have a special place in our hearts for Worrell."
