Nothing Launches Co-Created Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition

Nothing has officially announced the final results of its innovative Community Edition Project, showcasing the Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition. This smartphone marks Nothing’s first co-created product, designed collaboratively with talented community members who contributed to various aspects, from hardware to wallpapers, packaging to marketing.

This project is a pioneering initiative aimed at dissolving the barriers between the company and its community. It generated significant excitement, attracting over 900 entries from 47 countries worldwide. The Community Edition Project stands as Nothing’s first major pilot in co-creating hardware, software, and content, a crucial step towards shaping the future of the brand together with its community.

Winners and Collaboration

The winners—Astrid Vanhuyse & Kenta Akasaki, Andrés Mateos, Ian Henry Simmonds, and Sonya Palma—worked closely with Nothing’s Design Studio and the Creative, Brand, and Marketing teams in London to refine their winning concepts. Their collaboration led to the creation of the Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition, a glow-in-the-dark version of the popular Phone (2a) Plus.

Stage 1: Hardware Design

Astrid Vanhuyse & Kenta Akasaki collaborated with Nothing’s Design Director Adam Bates and CMF Designer Lucy Birley to realize their “Phosphorescence” concept. This involved experimenting with various materials and colors while maintaining the device’s core identity. The result features green-tinted phosphorescent materials that emit a soft glow in dark settings. Remarkably, this feature is entirely analogue, requiring no power source and can last for hours before recharging in daylight.

Stage 2: Wallpaper Design

Andrés Mateos expanded on the hardware design by utilizing AI tools and digital design to create the “Connected Collection.” Originally tasked with four wallpapers, he collaborated with Nothing’s Software Design Director Mladen M Hoyss and Software Designer Ken Giang to increase the collection to six unique designs.

Stage 3: Packaging Design

Ian Henry Simmonds reimagined Nothing’s packaging with his “Less is More” concept, featuring a bold, graphically simple super-macro crop. The final packaging design incorporates reflective elements that glow in dark environments, aligning seamlessly with the innovative hardware design.

Stage 4: Marketing Campaign

Sonya Palma integrated all project elements into her compelling marketing campaign, “Find your light. Capture your light.” This powerful concept echoes Nothing’s initial product launch centered around “pure instinct,” reinforcing the idea that everyone possesses an inner power worth exploring. Sonya collaborated with Nothing’s Creative Team to develop a suite of elevated marketing assets, including a film campaign and digital content to support the product launch.

A Commitment to Co-Creation

Co-creation lies at the heart of Nothing’s mission. The Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition represents the largest project from the Community Team to date, but Nothing continually engages with community members to co-develop software and content. Notably, in 2022, Nothing introduced the role of Community Board Observer, allowing an elected representative from the community to attend Board of Directors meetings.

Availability and Pricing

The Community Edition Project phone, based on the Phone (2a) Plus, will be available across all markets. However, only 1,000 units of the Phone (2a) and Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition will be produced, with just 150 pieces available for sale in the GCC across the UAE and KSA. Fans can purchase the “Community Edition” exclusively through Nothing’s Instagram page: @nothingarabia, priced at AED 1,649 in the UAE and SAR 1,749 in KSA.