The Multi-Functional Desk Light Project Booklet By Gwendal CrĂŠau and Nicola Murphy
Introduction. The brief for this project was called, ‘Bend, Fold and Crease’. Targeted around flat bed manufacture, to create a piece of lighting for the home-ware market, using the style trends of 2017. This project was a collaboration project with the Strate Design School in Paris, working with a student to produce the piece a working design over 2 days. Developing concepts and sketch models to portray our ideas. Over the 2 days we had to develop a concept that could be put into production. We had to use basic prototyping skills of paper and card to produce the piece of lighting. Quick decision making was necessary for the development of the product because of the short space of time we had to create a functional light.
Clarity.
The trending style chosen for this project is ‘clarity’. This style is about being minimal, with simple detailing that has been well considered.
Inspiration.
Looking at a variety of inspiration, these caught our eyes as something that could be developed.
Development.
We came up with our concept very early on which meant that we could focus on making the design more refined.
Throughout the development, we looked at changing the length of the product, however we didn’t like it as it changed the amount of light being distributed.
By the end of Day 1. By the end of the first day, we had a clear direction of where we wanted to take the product, and how we needed to have developed it, over the next day. We had decided to create a multi-functional light. That can be used in a variety of settings including a desk, as a hanging light or even standing on a table. The main aesthetic feature of the light will be that it will be kept simple, in the design, fixings and colours. The light is aimed at someone who is in their mid 20s, living in an apartment or flat where it can be use of variety of different settings for lights is key. You can also change the distribution of the light by adjusting is hinged around 2 points. The key areas of development for Day 2, was surrounding the hinge of the light to simplify it as much as possible. We also had to finalise the overall design of the light.
The Outcome.
This is a card prototype to portray the idea of the style of the light, with how the simplicity of the light will look. The light can be used in multiply different ways, with an altered distribution of light.
Standing up...
Lying Down...
Hanging...
Product Details. Colours: The colours of the light, will be dark grey, with accent coloured bolts to give the product simple detail. But because of the material choice, the colours can be easily changed depending on the user. A range of different colours would be easily created.
Materials and Finishes: The main material for the light will be made out of polypropylene, with an acrylic bulb holder. This will make it easier to make and also transport, as it can be transported flat. Technical Details: The light bulb will be a 40W LED bulb, to prevent the light from becoming too hot, and therefore not adjustable for the user.
Final Prototype.
The light being made out of white polypropylene with clear acrylic bulb holder, produced using the laser cutter.
Exhibition. We were fortunate enough, for this light to be displayed in an exhibition in Nottingham Trent University. The exhibition was called ‘A Feast of Lights: Objects and Space’. The exhibition, exhibits work from several design courses, including Furniture and Product Design.