Are you afraid to walk home alone at night? The reality for many women is that nighttime mobility is marked by fear and constant caution. Nights Out is a discreet yet powerful self-defense accessory in the form of a hair clip. The hair clip has an integrated whistle at both ends, can be quickly removed, and can be used with either hand. The piercing sound it produces is not intended as a weapon, but as a means of making oneself visible: it interrupts situations, attracts attention in public spaces, and thus shifts power relations.
Nights Out understands self-defense not as an individual responsibility, but as a political symptom. The object refers to a society in which security is distributed unequally between the sexes and in which conformity, caution, and prevention are expected of women.
First Scetches
First Scetches
Concept Development
CAD Model
The development of Nights Out began with exploring different shapes and levels of visibility for the integrated whistle. I considered whether the whistle should stand out as a visual statement or remain discreet. In the end, I chose a minimalist, concealed design that only reveals the whistle’s blowing holes—striking a balance between aesthetic subtlety and functional clarity.
As a protective tool first and foremost, the clip needed to be lightweight, ergonomic, and reliable. I prototyped several versions using 3D printing in both PLA and resin. PLA offered sharper detail but a rougher surface, while resin provided a smoother finish, which improved both comfort and sound clarity. I found the resonance of the whistle was more effective with resin, producing a louder and sharper tone.
Nights Out is a personal and ongoing project. It reflects my commitment to designing for safety, awareness, and empowerment—and I plan to continue refining it through further research and prototyping.
