Black Box Film With a Digital Twist

The ‘Flash³’ camera design stemmed from the blending of retro ‘black box’ film camera with digitalization. Keeping the design to a minimum, it sports a touchscreen and perpetuates the enhancement of the internal flash. As the designer points out, ironically a camera was a box to capture light, yet to keep it out simultaneously. This version celebrates the paradox in a very flashy manner!

Dani explains, “The Flash³ celebrates light. A camera no longer needs to hide internal functions – or shield from external light. This version is inspired by the Hasselblad and sports a similar form.”

Features:

  • The Flash³ is cubed in shape and has the LCD touch screen on the top surface.
  • The shutter release is at the back with the optional attachment of a manual external shutter release cord, which doesn’t feature in a regular digital camera.
  • It has a square sensor; therefore the photographs are square format.
  • We aren’t restricted to a 35mm film anymore, so why are we reproducing standard ratio photographs with cameras that externally fit around that shape.
  • As you flick the on switch forward, the box comes alive, the lens pokes its head out and focuses, and the screen lights up; but the real bolt of energy comes when you turn out the lights.
  • The internalized flash spreads over the whole cube; it jumps out from all angles – lighting not only your subject, but yourself and the surrounding pace.

Designer: Dani Clode

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Radhika Seth
Radhika Seth is a design and technology writer with over 18 years of experience covering products, innovation, and the ideas shaping design. She serves on the jury of international design competitions, including the iF Design Award, and hosts Yanko Design’s Design Mindset podcast. A former Ogilvy advertising professional, she has also taught Communication and Design Journalism, bringing together her experience across design, storytelling, brands, and media.