‘MAY I?’ Condoms

What it does

The “MAY I?” condom packaging is designed to promote sexual consent by requiring two people to open it together. While one person will find it difficult to open the two bottom lids alone, two people can do so easily.

Your inspiration

In East Asian cultures, the importance of sexual consent is recognized, but expressing it remains difficult for both partners. This cultural ambiguity inspired me to create a physical anchor for clarity. Rather than relying on law or assumption, we need tools that encourage open communication. “MAY I?” condom packaging externalizes the moment of asking for consent. As Natsume Sōseki once translated “I love you” as “The moon is beautiful tonight,” we see how poetic ambiguity works in language—but in real intimacy, it can lead to uncertainty.

How it works

The use of the “MAY I?” condom will be a novel and engaging experience. More importantly, involving two people in the act of opening the packaging symbolizes mutual respect and highlights the importance of sexual consent. The case consists of two bottom lids, an upper cover, and four corner latches. These corners secure the top and bottom covers and are connected to the upper cover by elastic bands. The rubber bands prevent a single person from removing all four corners through sequential actions. Only when two people pull all four corners simultaneously will the bottom lids release, allowing the condoms to fall onto the bed.

Design process

The project began with a more rigid engineering-oriented idea: using four interlocking sliding bars along with a metallic casing to prevent solo access through physical restriction. However, I came to realize that such a mechanism was fundamentally misaligned with the target audience. People who value sexual consent are the least in need of mechanical enforcement, while those who disregard it would likely never choose this product in the first place. This led to a shift in direction—from rigid structural prevention to soft symbolic resistance. The final design uses flexible materials and light tension to encourage collaboration rather than enforce it. The form and locking mechanism were refined through iterative sketches and validated through functional testing with 3D-printed resin prototypes.

How it is different

Many snack brands use packaging to convey social messages—printing phrases for friends or emotional moments—turning the wrapper into a communication tool. Some condom brands also use bold, provocative language to create tension or flirtation. “MAY I?” takes a different approach. Rather than amplifying stimulation before sex, it provides a physical and symbolic anchor for mutual consent. The unique structure requires both people to pull the package open together, transforming the act of “asking for consent” into something tangible. It prompts both emotional and physical participation, helping partners to open up—literally and psychologically—at the same time.

Future plans

While the product is not intended for commercial mass production, its purpose is to raise awareness around sexual consent through physical interaction. Future development may include optimizing its structure using sustainable materials and adapting the mechanism to other intimacy-related products. It also holds potential as a limited-edition item for public health campaigns or as part of condom brands’ promotional events. The long-term aim is to promote open communication through design, especially in culturally sensitive contexts.

Awards

Silver Winner, 2023 New York Product Design Awards Gold Winner, 2024 MUSE Design Awards Student Winner, 2024 Core77 Design Awards Bronze Winner, 2024 Pentawards