The Jupiter Factory Lite

After wearing many styles of Oakley shades over the years, I consider the Jupiter Factory Lite to be arguably one of the best pairs of sunglasses ever made. Unfortunately, Oakley offered only a handful of frame and lens color choices during its production. Over the last 10 years I have customized countless pairs through chemical stripping, polishing, etching and more.

How many frogs do you see on this page?

4 Styles Unlimited Possibility’s

Oakley C-Six

Links

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Oakley & The JFL

Aluminum orbitals, titanium hinges, carbon-fiber arms, rubber contact points, the JFL was ahead of its time. Crafted in a classic Wayfarer design, combined with unearthly materials, Oakley was fallowing the recipe that made them industry leaders with these sunglasses.

Introduced as a high end option for the Jupiter Squared in 2012, the retail price for a non-polarized pair cost a whopping 280$. With only four color choices, consumers like me showed interest, but the design was changed relatively quickly into the Jupiter Carbon. The only differences in the design was a downgrade of the orbitals to plastic and the size of the frame was increased by a hair. Oakley then turned around and asked the same price for the Jupiter Carbons making it clear that the demise of the JFL was the production cost regarding a machined aluminum frame. That, and the fact more color options were available with the all plastic Jupiter Squared.

JFL in Full Metal Jacket

Simple tools and basic supplies are really all it takes to customize these sunglasses. One of my favorite things to do with the matte aluminum frames is polish them to a high mirror shine. This is a process I have never seen anyone do before so I really rolled the dice the first time I tried it. It takes some serous nerve rubbing steel wool on a already beautiful aluminum frame. The hardest part is really the amount of time it takes to remove the lines left by the machining process which are much deeper than they appear. After multiple grits, buffing wheels and final polish of the frame and icons, I add a set of hand cut Oakley Chrome Iridium lenses. The final process yields a Full Metal Jacket in a Jupiter Factory Lite. Not bad considering Oakley would then turn around and manufacture a small number or sunglasses called the C-Six. Slightly more flashy than the Jupiter Factory Lite but still the same principled design and considering the cost of over $1500 I’ll just stick to modifying my JLF’s

More Modifications & Customization

I offer these services in my spare time. Please understand if my response is delayed.

  • Oakley lens cutting
  • Icon refinishing
  • Frame stripping, polishing, etching

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The answer is 6

Oakley Design Brief UK

INSPIRED FROM NATURE ILLUSTRATION

The goal I wanted to achieve with this submission for the Oakley Design Brief was to create an artistic concept inspired by the Great White Shark. The design scheme is based upon the scars found on these large apex predators that tell the story of what it takes to survive in the open water of the Pacific Ocean. This design was recognized by the Oakley Design Brief competition held in London, England as a finalist for the Artist Series in 2008. Although it wasn’t selected for reproduction, the experience and opportunity to be involved in the European art culture and Oakley Enterprises, broadened my interests towards creating an exclusive collection of Oakley products which I keep on display for design inspiration.

Below is a website that I designed and constructed to highlight the growing popularity of design competitions making it possible for artist to brand their work on a global scale. This website featured collectives of artist from around the world highlighting other avenues to help artists introduce their artwork to mainstream brands directly tapping into underground art culture.

 

About the Brief

The Oakley Design Brief was a campaign in which artist submitted designs in their signature style in which the winner would have 300 limited editions sunglasses produced from Oakley. The requirements for the brief was to create a custom design for the Oakley Hijinx, and the corresponding packaging. A wide range of artists and designers from around the world submitted their work to be judged by a panel of  prolific industry designers. The link below is my submission which I was lucky enough to be recognized by the committee. I then flew to London to participate in the event where the winner would later be made public. 

International Design Competition #35

Commercial Art & Graphics Design

Sunglasses are not the typical item you would expect to see in an art collection, but when you think about it they can be the culmination of culture, fashion, street art, engineering and creative design. Oakley has been an industry leader for decades with the core of that success due to a clear recognition of talented and trends including athletes as well as creative design.  A great example of this concept this is the Artist-Series campaign in which Oakley highlighted prolific artistes from around the world chosen for their influence towards pop-culture and art.

Currently I am trying to catalog information about the Oakley Artist Series  to highlight a collection spanning nearly 15 years. I want to thank contributing members to the Oakley world for making this collection possible.

Slide content to the left or right to view all Artist Series pairs of Oakley’s

ORIGINAL ARTWORK LOCATIONS

Help track down original artworks from the Artist Series! 

Do you have an original artwork from the Oakley Artist Series?  Or maybe you know where an original print or even an original artwork is located. If so I am interested in buying that artwork so please contact me directly to complete this amazing collection

Street art, fashion and product design, I suppose my fascination with these subjects comes from a graphic design background, but the truth is that my obsession stems from the relationship between branding and culture. But more directly, how do artists elevate their individual creative style to the point that they become featured with established brands?

Collection Cataloged & History

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The latest score in the original works from the Oakley Artist Series is this Wood block print originating from the St Bride Foundation in London. The print was made from two sections of linoleum, each made to fit our Albion Press. The individual halves were then printed separately. Aligning the two halves was achieved by creating pinholes in the first printed sheet and then using these holes as a guideline for the second part. A benefit from this technique is that each print is unique with a single one being ever so slightly different to the other.

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1 reply
  1. Blake cannon
    Blake cannon says:

    Hi there!

    My name is Blake Cannon. I’m from Massachusetts. A little south of Boston. I am also a massive fan of the JFL’s. Ive owed my fair share of them! I noticed your page about 2-3 years ago, Nicholas.
    I was amazed that the amount of JFL’s 6sunglasses you had. They are all beautiful. I’m beyond impressed with what you have done with them ! I am currently in the process of stripping down to the aluminum finish myself. Obviously, you gave me the idea to do this. I have a little bit of a graveyard. I like to call it of JFL’s. So I didn’t mind stripping this pair down to See if I can make them better. I was curious if you painted them or are you just shining the aluminum? Did you paint the arms? If you could give me any help or Anything would be greatly appreciated. Also , I might be interested in getting pricing from you. Im interested in having you Possibly customize a pair. I’m not a collector because I do wear them dailly. Some are in better shape than others. But anyways.. I just wanted to reach out and let you know I’m a fan. Get back to me at your earliest convenience. No rush. I just wanted to reach out and say that I am a fan! And possibly ask a question or two. Look forward to hearing from you thank you.

    Reply

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Future Project 

Robert Williams Television Set

This cardboard TV was on display at the Oakley Store in San Diego during Comic-Con 2016. Robert Williams was the last Oakley Artist Series produced in the series so I purchased every pair the store had so they tossed in the display items including this incredibly rare pop-television.

Oakley Design Brief

The Oakley Design Brief was a campaign where artist submitted designs in their signature style in which the winner would have 300 limited editions sunglasses produced by Oakley. The requirements for the brief was to create a custom design for the Oakley Hijinx and the corresponding packaging. A wide range of artists and designers from around the world submitted their work to be judged by a panel of  prolific industry designers. The link below is my submission which I was lucky enough to be recognized by the committee. I then flew to London to participate in the event where the winner would later be made public. 

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