O1 Sun Lamp
Branding and visual design to make light therapy credible and culturally resonant to the Chinese market.
Branding
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Graphic Design
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Creative Direction
Launched
Nov 2024
Project Brief
nochtane was founded to transform how people interact with their physical environments and mental health through beautiful, functional products. As the designer of a two-person team, I led the brand strategy and visual system for our debut O1 Sun Lamp to address the deep-seated stigma surrounding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in China. While “winter sadness” is a recognized concept in the West, it remains relatively unknown and culturally difficult to discuss in China. We shifted the focus from reinventing a proven solution toward sincere, education-driven storytelling and approachable design to build a wellness brand grounded in human connection.
Project Type
Startup Product (nochtane)
Role
Product Designer & Creative Lead
Timeline
Aug - Nov 2024 (14 weeks)
Team
Tyler Lin (Me), Jessica Zhan (Founder)
Project Brief
nochtane was founded to transform how people interact with their physical environments and mental health through beautiful, functional products. As the designer of a two-person team, I led the brand strategy and visual system for our debut O1 Sun Lamp to address the deep-seated stigma surrounding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in China. While “winter sadness” is a recognized concept in the West, it remains relatively unknown and culturally difficult to discuss in China. We shifted the focus from reinventing a proven solution toward sincere, education-driven storytelling and approachable design to build a wellness brand grounded in human connection.
Project Type
Startup Product (nochtane)
Role
Product Designer & Creative Lead
Timeline
Aug - Nov 2024 (14 weeks)
Team
Tyler Lin (Me), Jessica Zhan (Founder)
Project Brief
nochtane was founded to transform how people interact with their physical environments and mental health through beautiful, functional products. As the designer of a two-person team, I led the brand strategy and visual system for our debut O1 Sun Lamp to address the deep-seated stigma surrounding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in China. While “winter sadness” is a recognized concept in the West, it remains relatively unknown and culturally difficult to discuss in China. We shifted the focus from reinventing a proven solution toward sincere, education-driven storytelling and approachable design to build a wellness brand grounded in human connection.
Project Type
Startup Product (nochtane)
Role
Product Designer & Creative Lead
Timeline
Aug - Nov 2024 (14 weeks)
Team
Tyler Lin (Me), Jessica Zhan (Founder)
Problem
While millions in China suffer from SAD and sunlight-deprived urban environments, the market is dominated by unbranded, low-quality products manufactured for Western markets and “imported” back to China at inflated prices without any educational or cultural context.
Insights
While younger Chinese urban consumers are increasingly open to wellness, they remain wary of the stigma attached to mental health products. They require an approachable, credible, and culturally resonate brand to feel safe exploring light therapy.
Solution
Friendly, mission-driven visual identity, packaging, and educational materials to foster connection, reduce mental health stigma, and position light therapy as a credible solution for the Chinese audience.
Outcome
6,000+ units sold in 1.5 years; peak sales of 850/month and 70/day.
100% 5-star rating across all platforms; branding and mission cited as primary reason for purchase.
Unprecedented level of customer trust; many sharing personal mental health stories – unheard of in China’s e-commerce culture.
300+ members in our fan group chat.
Organic UGC on social media, lifestyle influencer collaborations, and university mental health center adoptions.
Established as the leading SAD therapy lamp brand on Chinese platforms, with endless copycat stores stealing our product name and images.
Problem
While millions in China suffer from SAD and sunlight-deprived urban environments, the market is dominated by unbranded, low-quality products manufactured for Western markets and “imported” back to China at inflated prices without any educational or cultural context.
Insights
While younger Chinese urban consumers are increasingly open to wellness, they remain wary of the stigma attached to mental health products. They require an approachable, credible, and culturally resonate brand to feel safe exploring light therapy.
Solution
Friendly, mission-driven visual identity, packaging, and educational materials to foster connection, reduce mental health stigma, and position light therapy as a credible solution for the Chinese audience.
Outcome
6,000+ units sold in 1.5 years; peak sales of 850/month and 70/day.
100% 5-star rating across all platforms; branding and mission cited as primary reason for purchase.
Unprecedented level of customer trust; many sharing personal mental health stories – unheard of in China’s e-commerce culture.
300+ members in our fan group chat.
Organic UGC on social media, lifestyle influencer collaborations, and university mental health center adoptions.
Established as the leading SAD therapy lamp brand on Chinese platforms, with endless copycat stores stealing our product name and images.
Problem
While millions in China suffer from SAD and sunlight-deprived urban environments, the market is dominated by unbranded, low-quality products manufactured for Western markets and “imported” back to China at inflated prices without any educational or cultural context.
Insights
While younger Chinese urban consumers are increasingly open to wellness, they remain wary of the stigma attached to mental health products. They require an approachable, credible, and culturally resonate brand to feel safe exploring light therapy.
Solution
Friendly, mission-driven visual identity, packaging, and educational materials to foster connection, reduce mental health stigma, and position light therapy as a credible solution for the Chinese audience.
Outcome
6,000+ units sold in 1.5 years; peak sales of 850/month and 70/day.
100% 5-star rating across all platforms; branding and mission cited as primary reason for purchase.
Unprecedented level of customer trust; many sharing personal mental health stories – unheard of in China’s e-commerce culture.
300+ members in our fan group chat.
Organic UGC on social media, lifestyle influencer collaborations, and university mental health center adoptions.
Established as the leading SAD therapy lamp brand on Chinese platforms, with endless copycat stores stealing our product name and images.
Final Product
The community
