Meet Brandon
The Vision Behind Project Optical
Brandon Zimmerly
LDO, ABO, NCLEC
Founder, Owner, & Licensed Dispensing Optician
For Brandon Zimmerly, eyewear has never been simply about seeing better. It is about how something is made, how it feels when you wear it, and how naturally it becomes part of who you are.
With more than two decades in the optical industry, Brandon has developed a career defined by an appreciation for design, craftsmanship, technical precision, and individual style. A Licensed Dispensing Optician since 2007, he has developed an extensive understanding of frame construction, materials, lens technology, fitting, and the subtle details that can transform a pair of glasses from something functional into something exceptional.
A Different Way of Seeing Eyewear
Brandon’s appreciation for eyewear grew from years of working directly with people and seeing how much the right frame could change the way someone looked, felt, and carried themselves.
He began to recognize that the best eyewear experiences were rarely about simply finding something that worked. They came from taking the time to understand the individual—their features, personality, lifestyle, preferences, and sense of style—and then finding the details that made a particular frame feel right.
That perspective eventually led Brandon to create Project Optical.
Rather than following the conventions of a traditional optical shop, he wanted to build a place where eyewear could be approached with greater thought and appreciation. His focus naturally gravitated toward independent designers and exceptional eyewear makers whose work reflects originality, quality materials, thoughtful engineering, and genuine craftsmanship.
Brandon personally curates the collection, searching for frames that have character and a distinctive point of view. He looks beyond what is simply fashionable, considering how a frame will age, how it will wear, and most importantly, how it will become part of the person who chooses it.
The Craft Behind the Fit
Brandon’s work does not end when a frame is selected.
His background as a Licensed Dispensing Optician has given him a deep respect for the technical side of eyewear—the relationship between frame geometry, lens design, prescription, materials, comfort, and fit.
At Project Optical, that expertise extends into the on-site finishing lab, where Brandon is able to maintain a hands-on role in the lens and finishing process. He believes that the final result should be considered as a whole: the frame, the lenses, the fit, and the way everything comes together when worn.
It is this combination of design sensibility and technical knowledge that shapes Brandon’s approach. He can appreciate a frame for its artistry while understanding the practical details that allow it to perform beautifully.
Beyond the Boutique
Brandon and his wife live in Woodstock, where they are raising their two daughters and son. The community has become an important part of both his personal life and the story of Project Optical.
Away from the boutique, Brandon enjoys spending time with his family and getting out on the golf course.