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after having been quiet for the past half-year, we’re just about to kickstart a season of new releases. while this post has been a long time coming, we’re on the cusp of something fresh, and this feels like the right time to put this out in the world.
one goal we’ve had for 2023 was in streamlining our models into clear and distinct design categories. since our start in 2020, a unified design philosophy has always been a bedrock of our process — for one, atmos projects began as a design experiment in performance-focused organics.
but as the team has grown over the years, our horizons and focuses have been due for an update, too.
for clarity, we’ve silently had two “lines” all this while — the fruitbowl line, a catchall for our organic designs; and the weatherman line, initially intended as a label for our customisable, tinker-friendly models. but as we crafted designs that didn’t fit within these boundaries, we reduced the use of these labels, even internally.
but clarity on our design ethos doesn’t just help us keep the path; it helps you, our community, understand and hone in on what of our offerings suit you best.
so here it is, a label refresh — atmos project’s four design lines as of 2023.
the best description for the fruitbowl line is that it’s our legacy organics line. the fruitbowl ethos is in wide experimentation within the organics genre, which began with the cloudberry as a light, floaty organic that still packed a punch.
more notable experimentations since then include the uniquely modular and customisable features of the gravity (made in partnership with rso), a physical largesse despite clocking incredibly light weight in the pomelo, a hidden axle and spacer system giving a monolithic, all-delrin exterior in the snowberry, and most recently a flushed side effects seat design in a still unnamed prototype, which is a first in the industry.
the schmoove-step, and a large, comfortable rounded physique are some design hallmarks of the fruitbowl label, and they all possess a unique playfeel that tends towards floatiness, fun, and easygoing.
(l-r, f-b)
gravity
fruitloop
goji
unnamed prototype
cloudberry
snowberry
pomelo
thunderberry
stormberry
the classic o is our second organic line, but takes a more purist and minimalist approach to the organic genre. the noah, first of the classic o’s, was designed as an essential blank canvas for organics. wide experimentation is less the focus here, but rather continuous iteration on a single physical base and format.
clean lines, and uninterrupted curves are signature features of classic o’s. the schmoove-step is also a feature here, but is considerably less aggressive than those found in the fruitbowls, which provides a smoother ride. the signature playfeel of classic o’s tends towards being gentle, light, and restful.
we’ll be developing classic o’s heavily this year. the capped unnamed prototype we’ve been teasing the past few months is the next model to join this design line, and we’re beyond excited to share more soon.
the weatherman line was initiated by the Khuno, our first w-shaped model, and also the industry’s first ever side effects-enabled bimetal design. following the ari, a titanium reimagination of the khuno, we shifted our focus from customisability and tinkering towards high performance and a competition-oriented form factor in the aria. this remains the essence of the weatherman line, and is targeted at players who focus on technical play.
the weatherman line will also be receiving a heavy emphasis this year — one unnamed prototype is featured above, but we have three designs currently in various stages of prototyping.
(l-r, f-b)
Khuno
unnamed prototype
aria
ari
lastly, we have a fourth design line that we’re working on, which we will announce in the third quarter of 2023. it’s unlike anything we’ve done before, and it’s no overstatement to say it takes on an entirely unique direction. it’s the most collaborative project we’ve worked on, and we’re beyond excited for it. look forward to something very fresh and new.
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the primary purposes of these labels are in clarity and direction — for us as makers, but also for you, our community. no design can promise a universal appeal — but as players attuned to their own tastes, the design lines can be helpful in identifying which models might be a good fit for you.
as always, we’d love to hear any thoughts, reactions, and requests. hit us up here in the comments, shoot us a dm, or message us here.
more to come very soon.
love,
team atmos
