Function as an ornament (Hyperfunction)
An experimental practice where functionality transcends utility to become ornamental. Born from vari0us' transdisciplinary approach, it creates objects that serve unexpected functions while maintaining core purpose. This transforms everyday accessories into expressions of values, beliefs, and cultural narratives - where function itself becomes an artistic statement.
The practice critiques the modernist doctrine of "form follows function," proposing instead a marriage between ornament and utility. Where technical capability becomes visual language. Where engineering decisions are aligned with emotional awareness.
An experimental practice where functionality transcends utility to become ornamental. Born from vari0us' transdisciplinary approach, it creates objects that serve unexpected functions while maintaining core purpose. This transforms everyday accessories into expressions of values, beliefs, and cultural narratives - where function itself becomes an artistic statement.
The practice critiques the modernist doctrine of "form follows function," proposing instead a marriage between ornament and utility. Where technical capability becomes visual language. Where engineering decisions are aligned with emotional awareness.
This is a reflection upon Urban Monkey's past products while conducting field research into contemporary functional design. External influences include Samuel Ross' Experimental Hardware Package exhibit, Errolson Hugh's engineering in design at ACRONYM, and crucially, guidance from AOKU (Czech Republic) - they referenced extensive readings, particularly their direction toward "The Book of Pockets" and their product development methodologies spanning prototyping, testing, and manufacturing roadblocks.
OUTRBODY SYSTMS emerged through collaborative research over multiple years. Core contributors who explored, researched, prototyped, and realized this world: Tanisha, Shari, Sunay B, Pratyusha B, Shivani G, JV Swejan, and Edwin. Documentation and production support from Ishita Parmar, Shruti Gola, Pravin Habib, Recreate Studios, and Hot Drip.
Conceived and created at vari0.us, Mumbai, India, under the creative direction of Varun Mehta.
Big ups to Yash G for supporting the vision.
OUTRBODY SYSTMS emerged through collaborative research over multiple years. Core contributors who explored, researched, prototyped, and realized this world: Tanisha, Shari, Sunay B, Pratyusha B, Shivani G, JV Swejan, and Edwin. Documentation and production support from Ishita Parmar, Shruti Gola, Pravin Habib, Recreate Studios, and Hot Drip.
Conceived and created at vari0.us, Mumbai, India, under the creative direction of Varun Mehta.
Big ups to Yash G for supporting the vision.
We exist as individual souls, but are part of one huge ball of energy. Each entity carries unique characteristics, yet together we have the ability to hold hands and create higher power - a collective consciousness.
This understanding of life drives our approach: creating an ecosystem of accessories that plug into each other to form a whole, while maintaining their individual characteristics.
URBNMNKYSYSTMS ︎︎︎
A sub-brand within Urban Monkey focusing on experimental, hyper-functional accessories.
URBNMNKYSYSTMS operates as a modular ecosystem of vari0.us functional lifestyle accessories + apparel -
each piece maintains individual use cases while possessing the ability to plug into others,
enhancing cohesive functions through adaptive evolutionary systems.
Evolved over four years, transitioning from white label accessories to a comprehensive ecosystem.
Each piece is designed with technical precision - clean, clear, simple and minimal. The beauty emerges when pieces connect: individual simplicity transforms into complex, functional and ornamental combinations, revealing the system's true potential.
URBNMNKYSYSTMS operates as a modular ecosystem of vari0.us functional lifestyle accessories + apparel -
each piece maintains individual use cases while possessing the ability to plug into others,
enhancing cohesive functions through adaptive evolutionary systems.
Evolved over four years, transitioning from white label accessories to a comprehensive ecosystem.
Each piece is designed with technical precision - clean, clear, simple and minimal. The beauty emerges when pieces connect: individual simplicity transforms into complex, functional and ornamental combinations, revealing the system's true potential.
VISION ︎︎︎
To design products that form a cohesive whole while retaining individual functionality.
VALUES ︎︎︎
001
morphs shape with or without a tiny tweak.
Transforms functions through change in orientation.
002
capable of extension and expansion through connections.
003
that prioritizes mobility without compromising functionality.
004
Designed for the common man.
005
Enable users to discover their own version, their own self-expression through layers of interaction
and multiple permutations and combinations.
Multifunctional
An object that can do more than one thing -morphs shape with or without a tiny tweak.
Transforms functions through change in orientation.
002
Modular
Exist as a whole and in parts,capable of extension and expansion through connections.
003
Compact
Lightweight and portable designthat prioritizes mobility without compromising functionality.
004
Contextual
For India's diverse user group - keeping products simple to use & understand.Designed for the common man.
005
Customizable
Embed the act of creation through assembly, forming a deeper connection with the product.Enable users to discover their own version, their own self-expression through layers of interaction
and multiple permutations and combinations.
The project has been documented into 3 distinct desgin systems:
001 ︎︎︎
A comprehensive world-building exercise that synchronizes branding, communication, and industrial design into a cohesive whole. The system encompasses everything from typography and CMF to hardware standards and pocket systems - documented as a guidebook that generates infinite permutations from simple starting points.
→ View the complete identity system
→ View the complete identity system
002 ︎︎︎
Drawing from Rem Koolhaas' "S,M,L,XL" framework, the ecosystem begins with the belt as the unifying element. Products are segregated into buckets based on size and use case, with standard details ensuring coherence while "_+" extensions enable customization across the modular system.
→ View the full product catalog
→ View the full product catalog
003 ︎︎︎
A multi-medium strategy spanning photo, video, print, digital, and retail. From technical line drawings referencing architectural precision to Tenebrism-inspired videos blurring reality and simulation - each medium communicates scale, interaction, and transformation while maintaining systematic coherence.
→ View communication standards
→ View communication standards
PROCESS︎︎︎
Evolution [Prelude]
2020
Pocket Systems Origins ︎︎︎
Pocket Systems Origins ︎︎︎
Urban Monkey's accessories began as white-labeled products during a brand identity restructuring period. We branded them as "Pocket Systems" - conceptualizing these accessories as external, extended pockets. Following architectural product annotation principles, we numbered them systematically: 001, 002, 003.
Successful products included the coin pouch, trifold wallet, and sling bag. Our analysis revealed what worked and what could be extended as part of a larger ecosystem vision.
Successful products included the coin pouch, trifold wallet, and sling bag. Our analysis revealed what worked and what could be extended as part of a larger ecosystem vision.
*
2021
Street Duty Belt︎︎︎
Street Duty Belt︎︎︎
The Street Duty Belt marked Urban Monkey's first investment in industrial design - a modular ecosystem inspired by army and police duty belts, reimagined for street artists in India. This reversible belt featured a cobra buckle with three attachments: carabiner, Velcro patch, and marker/pen elastic webbing loop.
While it didn't hit mass market, customers who used it developed unexpected applications - wearing it crossbody, attaching personal pouches, or using it purely as an accessory. This validated our concept of functional ornaments and user customization.
While it didn't hit mass market, customers who used it developed unexpected applications - wearing it crossbody, attaching personal pouches, or using it purely as an accessory. This validated our concept of functional ornaments and user customization.
*
2022
Research & Insights ︎︎︎
Research & Insights ︎︎︎
Our in-depth research on white-label performance revealed crucial insights through customer feedback. The findings crystallized the need for a unified accessories division within Urban Monkey, focusing on consistent fabrics, CMF, durability, and clarity in hardware specifications.
Understanding manufacturing constraints in India around sourcing and quality complemented our design approach. For business growth, the modular ecosystem enabled upselling and cross-selling - increasing average order value while ensuring customers subscribed to the complete system.
Understanding manufacturing constraints in India around sourcing and quality complemented our design approach. For business growth, the modular ecosystem enabled upselling and cross-selling - increasing average order value while ensuring customers subscribed to the complete system.
*
2023
External Guidance & Internal Transformation ︎︎︎
External Guidance & Internal Transformation ︎︎︎
Meeting AOKU became a turning point. They shared readings, references, and their approach to prototyping, shooting, and marketing products themselves. Most importantly, they demonstrated validating use cases through extended prototype testing and design iteration - a practice absent from Urban Monkey's white-label or sample-copying ethos.
AOKU also shared frustrations about convincing manufacturing facilities to focus on details and execute elaborate products, providing crucial perspective on production challenges.
This sparked an in-house prototyping culture at Urban Monkey. Despite initial resistance from leadership, we developed local methods for assembling designs, empowering the team to create rather than just curate.
We began with 3D simulations for rapid iteration, then using in-house fabric for prototyping and feedback collection. An architectural approach emerged - creating paper prototypes to explore ideas blurring the lines between accessories and garments. We found that submitting prototypes to factories proved more effective than complex tech packs.
AOKU also shared frustrations about convincing manufacturing facilities to focus on details and execute elaborate products, providing crucial perspective on production challenges.
This sparked an in-house prototyping culture at Urban Monkey. Despite initial resistance from leadership, we developed local methods for assembling designs, empowering the team to create rather than just curate.
We began with 3D simulations for rapid iteration, then using in-house fabric for prototyping and feedback collection. An architectural approach emerged - creating paper prototypes to explore ideas blurring the lines between accessories and garments. We found that submitting prototypes to factories proved more effective than complex tech packs.
