Product Innovation | Design Thinking | Digital Fabrication
YOLA is a lamp that introduces you to a rejuvenating waking up ritual. The lamp doubles as an alarm clock to allow the user to set the alarm to be woken up the next day. This products was created with the motivation to wake up in the right spirit with the help of Pranayama, a breathing and meditative exercise.
YOLA is an assistive, experiential product created to cultivate healthier habits for the body and mind.
Process: At first we brainstormed the Scenario and Sketched how it might function. Breathing techniques and light have a major role to play in the design. Pranayama is an exercise for the body to cope with stress, clearing the mind and programming the body to experience a flow of energy while performing it. Bringing in these breathing exercises before you are out of your bed is a great way to start your day. The light translates the breathing activity with a fading in and out function, while a gradual increase in the music would wake one up. It has been designed for people who would like to be woken up gradually, with deep breathing and stimulating music everyday. On YOLA, one can utilize the touch interface that detects your finger when you want to set the alarm. As you slide your finger in the direction of a clock, when you stop it detects the hour, while the minutes section is closer to the edge of the lamp. In the morning when it is time to wake up, YOLA begins to play a meditative track 5 minutes before with the help of a bluetooth speaker, gradually increasing the volume. The lights begin to flash. One must sync their breath to perform Pranayama, inhaling and exhaling like the lamp’s activity. Eventually, when you are awake and would like to turn the alarm off, you must wave before the lamp.
Prototyping and testing the LED strip. After we figured the code and tested it, we started designing the frame of the lamp.
On YOLA, one can utilize the touch interface that detects your finger when you want to set the alarm. As you slide your finger in the direction of a clock, when you stop it detects the hour, while the minutes section is closer to the edge of the lamp. In the morning when it is time to wake up, YOLA begins to play a meditative track 5 minutes before with the help of a bluetooth speaker, gradually increasing the volume. The lights begin to flash. One must sync their breath to perform Pranayama, inhaling and exhaling like the lamp’s activity. Eventually, when you are awake and would like to turn the alarm off, you must wave before the lamp.
The initial idea came up during discussions when we complained of having bad mornings often. A few discussions later, we realized that our mornings are usually hurried, often woken up by our mobile phones next to us. We wanted to redesign our morning rituals, waking up gradually and fresh, with a pleasant activity, preparing our mind and body for the day. We often don’t realize it but gradually preparing your body and mind, also gives them time to adjust to the morning, demanding energy. It only makes you wake up, fully and feeling empowered. We decided to design a Lamp integrating an alarm function into it.
The shape of YOLA comes from O, the sun, the circle of life, the dot and the cycle that is related to the completeness of a shape. It also allowed us to play with the lighting and hiding the source of the light. The shape is also pleasing, balanced and allows the light to gradually grow and dim. It could easily be a part of the interior decor due to its subtle and minimalistic aesthetics.
And then began the material exploration. To diffuse the light, we first used Paper. However, we chose to go with Lycra as we could stretch the fabric and it had a neater finish.
The Final prototype.
YOLA is targeted towards those who would like to replace the annoying alarm clocks with a peaceful, meditative device that allows their body and mind to be prepared for the day. Our philosophy of great mornings bring greater productivity is the motivation behind YOLA, the lamp that allows you to wake up to a soothing, delightful exercise everyday.
The design of YOLA is made out of plywood and lycra. The model consists of rings and a base to hold the Digital Habits Board, a cavity for the bluetooth speaker and the LEDs. The LEDs are placed inside and outside of YOLA to light up. The whole model was put together with glue.
We were mentored by Studio Digital Habits, Milan and we worked on the theme Morning Activators.
In the picture below: Diego, Alessandro from Digital Habits and Asanka and Nicolo (with me documenting the process) from Team YOLA.
