0.5 Wallet

A compact leather wallet with dual-sided RFID for a seamless, refined lifestyle

Company

Hank Max Studio

The 0.5 Wallet emerges from an exploration of integrating technology into everyday leather goods, rethinking daily carry through a balance of innovation and familiarity. Originating from my concept proposal, the project was selected as one of the company’s early crowdfunding products, confirming both its design direction and market relevance.
Developed within a dual-sided RFID technology series, the 0.5 Wallet is designed for Taiwanese commuters and mobile payment users, offering seamless tap-to-pay interactions while retaining full everyday functionality in a slim, lightweight form.

Results

The dual-sided RFID sensing technology I led to develop secured a Taiwan invention patent.
The 0.5 Wallet was granted a design patent.
This project raised 26 million TWD in a Taiwanese crowdfunding campaign and ranked as the top-selling product in its category, validating both its technical innovation and market relevance.

Contribution

Market Research, Product Planning, Design Strategy, Concept Development, Industrial Design, CMF, Product Prototyping, Design for Manufacture, RFID Development

Being Lightly, Classy & Convenient

The 0.5 Wallet reimagines internal organization by aligning the card slots and coin compartment on the same structural plane. This design prevents overlapping of items and eliminates unnecessary material layering, allowing the wallet to remain slim even at full capacity. Integrated dual-sided RFID technology further enhances daily convenience, with card slots optimized for fast transit and seamless contactless payments without removing cards. The result is a wallet that supports an organized, efficient lifestyle while maintaining the elegance and tactile quality of a carefully crafted accessory.

Observation & Opportunity

With the rapid adoption of contactless transit systems and mobile payment in Taiwan, the way people use wallets has fundamentally changed. Commuters expect to pass through gates without removing cards, and consumers increasingly rely on tap-to-pay interactions throughout the day. However, most wallets on the market still prioritize material aesthetics over structural innovation. Traditional constructions, often combining layered leather and fabric, result in bulky forms that do not respond to evolving usage behavior.
At the same time, users still require sufficient storage for cash and coins, creating a contradiction between slimness and capacity. The opportunity was to redesign the internal architecture of a wallet to accommodate contactless functionality while maintaining everyday storage needs in a thinner form factor.

Process

The project began with thumbnail sketches exploring structural rearrangements rather than surface styling. The focus was placed on spatial reconfiguration—how cards, bills, and coins could coexist without stacking thickness.
Paper prototypes were made to test proportions, folding structure, and assembly feasibility. By simulating real storage conditions early in the process, the design reduced manufacturing complexity while maintaining structural stability.

To validate feasibility, I hand-crafted leather prototypes, personally involved in pattern development, cutting, and stitching to test structure and assembly logic.

The Most Precise Daily Organization With Large Capacity

Despite its compact size, the wallet holds up to 10 cards, 20 bills, and 20 coins. This capacity is achieved not by adding bulk, but by carefully reorganizing the internal layout. By adjusting the compartment arrangement and fold structure, the design makes full use of the available space while keeping the wallet thin.

Easy to Store, Access, and Keep Organized

By placing the coin and card storage on the same plane, the design makes items easier to access and reduces interference between compartments. The shallow coin pocket keeps coins visible and organized, preventing clutter. The zip opening allows quick access without unfolding the entire wallet, improving efficiency in everyday use.

The coin compartment is designed with a shallow zip opening, keeping coins visible and organized so users can quickly find the one they need.

Dual-Sided RFID Technology

It includes 2 contactless card slots and 1 RFID-protected slot. The dual-sided RFID design prevents signal interference between cards while ensuring secure use, allowing faster and more reliable transactions.

Minimalism & Durability

Crafted from premium Italian leather, the 0.5 Wallet embodies structural minimalism that also enhances durability. By reducing unnecessary layering and simplifying construction, the design improves long-term wear resistance while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Weighing only 48 grams, it delivers full daily functionality in a lightweight form, offering both men and women a refined yet practical everyday accessory.

Handcrafted with premium Italian leather, 0.5 Wallet is the perfect combination for the ones needing solid functionalities

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