DES100 - LIGHTING DESIGNER
Idea
My initial idea was a silhouette that was wide at the top and thin in the middle, examples that immediately came to mind were hourglasses and torches. I think the shape of the torch immediately reminds people of light and represents the spirit of the torch. So I decided to 3D print a similar looking lamp.
SKETCHES
First, I didn't completely give up on the hourglass idea, so I made a first sketch. But one problem is that lighting placement is difficult.
The second sketch is what everyone thinks the torch looks like. I placed the light a little further out so that the focus of the light is on it, which better simulates the look of a torch. However, due to its wide structure at the top and narrow at the bottom, it may cause problems such as unstable standing and easy knocking over.
The final sketch idea I came up with by combining the two. Now it has the meaning of a torch, and the bottom has become more stable. But I always think it still looks a bit monotonous, but I don't think of how to change it.
Prototype 1
This is the first model I've ever made, and it looks exactly as boring as I thought it would. But when this model was presented in front of me, I finally knew something was wrong. It was completely opaque in other parts!
It is very difficult for the light to illuminate the sides. Unless the light is very bright, only the top will have light. This situation results in the fact that if you want to read a book, you have to pick it up and point it at your book, making it look like you are reading with a flashlight.
Reflection: I started thinking about how to make light shine around it. Then I thought of a very famous tower in my country because every night the tower lights up. So I decided to make improvements in the next step of production.
Prototype 2
I designed it with a hollow design, similar to the Canton Tower. And the top and bottom are thickened, which is good for supporting and placing lights.
This is my second prototype. There was a little accident during my production process, which resulted in the finished size being much smaller, not reaching 170mm. Moreover, the entire model looks upside down. It does not look like a torch, but more like the Canton Tower.
FINAL
I used my prototype 2 as my final prototype. I resized the model so that it would fit the bill. When I put it into the 3D printer, I found it was over 70g, so I had to reduce the intersection of the model to reduce the weight.
3D printing results
I discovered that not only could it be placed upright, it could also be placed backwards, like a torch.
Actual Demonstration
Reflection
Because it is my first time to come into contact with 3D printing, there are many things I don’t understand in this regard, including the use of fusion360 and the material selection of 3D printers. Fortunately, my friends helped me and now I have learned a lot about this. Summarizing this experience, I will do better in future projects than this time.