Misfit Shine: The Elegant Personal Activity Tracker

An Innovative Approach to Wearable Technology

Misfit Wearables, the designer behind Misfit Shine, set out to create a wearable product that people would want to wear even if it was broken. Recognizing that existing activity trackers on the market lacked in terms of material choices, fit, and shape, the team was motivated to fill this gap with a unique and highly wearable device. The result is Shine, a precision-crafted activity tracker that combines functionality with style.

Shine is composed of durable, premium materials, specifically aircraft-grade aluminum. This choice of material not only ensures the device's durability but also gives it a sleek and sophisticated look, making it suitable for any occasion. Unlike other activity trackers, Shine breaks away from complexity and presents information to the user in a simple and intuitive way.

One of the standout features of Shine is its versatility. The user can choose where to wear it, whether it's on the neck, hip, shoes, wrist, or any other preferred location. The device does not have any cables, screens, or buttons. Instead, it features a bright halo of lights that provides the user with feedback on their progress towards their daily goal. For more detailed information, such as steps and calories, the user can access the Shine app.

Syncing Shine with the app is effortless. The user simply places the device on the screen of their mobile device, whether it's an iOS or Android device, and the data is uploaded in seconds. This seamless interaction between the device and the app enhances the user experience and eliminates any unnecessary complexity.

Designing Shine presented its fair share of challenges. The team aimed to create a beautiful object that seamlessly integrated complex functionality. They wanted to shift the perception of wearable computing from purely functional to highly wearable. Additionally, communicating with a mobile device through a metal shell posed a significant challenge, but the team overcame it while maintaining a simple interaction model.

Misfit Shine was designed and engineered by a team spread across offices in Montreal, San Francisco, and Ho Chi Minh City. The project began in spring 2012, and the product started shipping in spring 2013. The success of Shine was evident when Misfit ran a highly successful crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, raising USD 846,000 from nearly 8,000 people from 64 countries through word-of-mouth alone.

Recognizing its innovative design and contribution to the field of wearable technology, Misfit Shine was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2013. This prestigious award is bestowed upon designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements.