michael young on the design of the 'series X' flower vaporizer for next-generation cannabis company, omura

michael young and his team have designed a first-of-its-kind whole flower vaporizer with precision dosing for next-generation cannabis company, omura. ‘series X’ is a device for those seeking the benefits of whole flower without the burning or combustion that comes with other formats, such as pre-rolls or vapes. when paired with omura’s unique flowersticks, the device delivers a precise dose with each use. omura commissioned young to ensure its revolutionary, high-tech mechanical design was matched with a slick and relevant exterior. the design of ‘series X’ taps into the fashion, lifestyle, and tech markets, drawing from the natural form of smooth pebbles shaped by erosion to provide an intriguing and tactile experience.

while michael young says he is not a user of whole flower, he is an avid believer in the medical benefits it may provide. designboom spoke with the designer about the creative intent behind the ‘series X’, its sleek and small silhouette, and how it all works — read the interview in full below.

available in four colorways — gold, quartz, jade, and onyx — the omura ‘series X’ has a dual heat source oven inside, which uses heat-not-burn technology to gently warm the whole flower through a patented heat curve. the device comes with its own charging base, which doubles as a sophisticated presentation stand for a product worth having on show.

michael young spoke about the device’s streamline portability, tactile nature, and its ease of use — users manually insert a flowerstick into ‘series X’ and the device starts automatically, with a switch on the bottom allowing a choice between higher and lower temperature curves. the device vibrates, and three LED lights illuminate once when ready to go, which takes about 30 seconds. then, the flowerstick can be used as the mouthpiece, with vapor increasing throughout a 3-minute long session. when finished, users can simply remove the flowerstick from the device, throw in the trash — it’s compostable and biodegradable — and the device shuts off.

designboom (DB): the design fits in the palm of the user’s hand so it’s discreet, and feels great in your hand. can you explain your design intent?

michael young (MY): the design is simple and it answers a lot of needs — first, it is the most compact on the market, so it’s very easy to carry. the technology was developed especially for this, so it is very easy to hold and use, unlike many vapes on the market. it’s comfortable. the product is designed for a new generation of flower user, elevated from the public perception of say a ‘stoner’ to more academic use that is controlled according to need. it is also designed for more savvy fashion tech consumers, evident in its refined surfaces and detailing.

MY (continued) : we did a huge amount of work to get all the tech to fit into such a small envelope. we worked closely with their engineers to get to such a minimal size. there was a lot of back and forth, and if I’m not mistaken a few patents were involved. all this allowed us to create a very discreet little device that doesn’t shout ‘vape device’, and instead instills a little curiosity and desire.

DB: omura ‘series X’ comes with 12 flowersticks in child-proof packaging (a pre-filled stick with an exact dose of flower), to provide a consistent, micro-dosed experience. why does the product focus on precise micro-dosing?

MY: yes, each pre-filled flowerstick contains an exact dose of 0.145g of whole flower. each pack contains 1.5gs. the product is focused on delivering a consistent, dosed experience in order to solve a problem many consumers have when taking THC or CBD. consumers are looking for a consistent experience when they enjoy or medicate with the cannabis plant. as many people are new to cannabis, they are looking for doses where they know the effect, so they don’t get ‘too high’, and have control over the experience. with omura, you can choose the right amount by layering flowersticks. omura is the first whole flower vaporizer that allows for precise dosing.

DB: where are CDB-only flowersticks available?

MY: omura currently ships within the US for hemp CBD flowersticks and are available for purchase on omura’s website. THC flowersticks are available for purchase in california and massachusetts. we are working to expand into more legal THC states in 2021. as laws open up internationally, we will work to expand our shipping. if you aren’t in a country or US state where recreational marijuana is legal, you may be able to still try the ‘series X’ with CBD-only flowersticks.

project info:

name: series X 

for: omura

director: michael young

project lead: alex nacrour