precision/flair
university project // a light to reflect my interests as a developing designer
Before moving into my final year of studies at the University of Dundee, this project gave me the opportunity to reflect on my past experiences as a designer, understanding the values I have grown to hold as I progress in my career.
// the brief
Design a light; where the final outcome embodies my experiences, influences, passions and values as a developing designer.
My direction as a designer focuses on developing my own unique style, forged by my interests of the work and mindsets of well established designers.
^ precedent exploration
// inspiration: german precision & italian flair
I possess great admiration for contemporary German design. Renowned for functionality, efficiency and precision, these are unrivalled qualities which I strive to embed within my own work. I have ambition to develop my work around powerful values, with the intention of producing purposeful, meaningful and well considered products.
However, within this brief I wanted to take the opportunity to diverge slightly from the rational German approach. I aimed to forge my own design language, by fusing this precision and purpose with a sense of emotion and playfulness.
Taking inspiration from both Achille Castigiloni’s design approach and beautifully considered work, I had the intentions of creating a light that contains a blend of simplicity, technical skill, playfulness and emotion.
Designing a light gave me the opportunity to forge both the values of German precision and Italian emotion within a piece of my own design.
^ the final design among earlier prototypes
// thinking through making
The project involved driving my thinking through an iterative making process, to build on the foundations of my idea and develop a lamp that embodied my design values.
An extensive range of prototyping followed.
^ various paper and cardboard prototypes
// manufacture
The precision/flair lamp was constructed using a combination of traditional and contemporary processes.
^ wiring the LED bulb and toggle switch
Frame & Base: Handcrafted layered plywood sheets, treated with wax. Base finished with brushed metal plates.
Inner Shade, Bracket & Pin: modelled on Solidworks and 3D printed with white plastic.
Light source: 48-LED warm light crystal bulb lamp, operated using a metal toggle switch. Electrical current transferred through a flex finished with bottle green fabric.
// the final design
Through a modular desk lamp, precision/flair aims to add tangible value to a working space.
The final design intends to connect with the user; a product that can adapt to their environment through playful yet practical interactions.
The precision/flair lamp is fully adjustable through a pin and track system, allowing the light source to be altered and rotated in a vast array of positions.
This movement through the tracks is made possible through the layering of plywood.
^ the light source can be altered and rotated in a vast array of positions
^ x movement, y movement and shade rotation
Keeping my design principles strongly in mind throughout this process, my approach consistently focused on one main intention: I simply wanted to create an object that people would love to own.
Lewis Hall // Designer & Creator
