The eye framer
- Karl creates unique spectacles for different faces
- The idea came when he was looking for a pair of glasses
- He tailors his glasses to his clients
Karl Annus is an Estonian designer who creates spectacle frames out of plywood. His early childhood environment amongst artisans influenced his decision to learn wood carpentry and design. During his studies, he solved the one-size fits all concept of glass frames, and ended up designing six pairs of distinctively unique models of wooden eyewear. All of his works are custom made, based on the clients’ individual optometric anthropometric parameters. Karl is skilled in detailed work and a master at bending wood techniques. Fashion brands, beautiful objects and timeless designs inspire his works. His glasses were showcased during London Fashion Week in 2013.
Interview
How did you solve the design problem for glasses?
I was looking for glasses, but found out that one-size didn’t suit me as they constantly needed adjusting. I was inspired by wood bending techniques and that led me to trial and error, it took over five years of testing to develop six unique frames.
How do innovation and tradition mix in your work?
By using old wood carpentry techniques, such as cutting, bending, gluing and bringing in the modern aspect of optometric technology. At the same time inviting the minimalistic design world into the craft of carpentry.
What is your favorite material?
Mahagony, because it’s not too light nor dark, not too difficult to work with and has a nice warm tone and wooden texture.
What do you enjoy about being an artisan?
The feeling when a client receives their pair of spectacles and is pleased with what I have created for them with my own hands. I also love the notion of waking up in the morning and work silently on my own, doing what I enjoy.
Karl Annus is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2011
- Address: Pärnu mnt 62A, 10134 Tallinn, Estonia
- Hours: By appointment only
- Phone: +372 56208789
- Languages: Estonian, English
Karl Annus
- Address: Pärnu mnt 62A, 10134 Tallinn, Estonia
- Hours: By appointment only
- Phone: +372 56208789
- Languages: Estonian, English