Design A Lamp

Design Brief: Design and prototype a lamp for a friend or family.

My target user is Scott Westbury, my flatmate’s dad. 

Scott works in the power industry and looks after operation maintenance of a number of hydroelectric power schemes and a thermal plant. He is also an outdoor activist. 

I chose him as my target user because he has a Master’s degree in electrical engineering, and so has background knowledge in electronic equipment that other clients may not have. This knowledge is useful when creating design specifications. Moreover, if he finds my design functional, he might endorse my design to potential sponsors for investments.

My discoveries unravel as the interview rolls. After one to two minutes of brainstorming, Scott broke down his need and decided that his personalized lamp would be a work light that sits in the garage because, in his words, “these [current lights] are hopeless.” 

Scott added “It [has to provide] reasonably good lighting for the room when you come in, but it also has the ability to be used as a torch that is somehow integrated into it. You can take it anywhere.” 

Here are five key elements Scott’s lamp require: 

1. Rechargeable

2. Solar-powered

3. Three light modes

4. Suitable size for traveling

5. Have a rotatable base set to sit on while using it in the garage

Lamp in ideation:

Size-wise, it is a 18cm wide, 30 cm long cylinder - big enough to provide strong lighting, but suitable for spacing and travelling. Energy-wise, it is solar powered, but it can also be charged by using a type c adapter. Body-wise, it is joined by three parts: Body 1 (10 cm) - made out of ABS plastic. It has a LED light on the top and there are seven solar panels attached around the body; Body 2 (15cm) - made out of a translucent, durable hard plastic and a LED light is installed around the body ; Body 3 (5cm) - made out of ABS plastic and it is where the type c socket locates. 

Function-wise, it has three buttons for different purposes: Spotlight - white light which rays through the head of the torch with an adjustable range from small, to intermediate, to wide. It has the highest intensity to light up the entire garage; Spacelight - it makes the whole body of the lamp glow and is perfect to use in a tent while camping. Spacelight takes advantage of the lamp's translucent material to execute medium-level lighting. Finally, Moodlight - a warm orange tone that also rays through the head of the torch with adjustable range. It can be used in any circumstance and emits a light intensity similar to a candle. 

In order to track its battery life, an LCD backlit screen is featured on the left upper side of the body. When you press any light mode button, its remaining charge percentage will show on the screen for five seconds.

Design Statement:

My client needs a practical work light that sits in the garage and provides quality lighting that enhances his ability to perform a variety of tasks productively. A robust design is valued over aesthetics, as it would be associated with dusty, industrial environments. It must include the function to switch between three light modes for a range of purposes and it has to be rechargeable and solar-powered.

Ideation Sketches:

Visual Prototype:

Specification Prototype:

Insights - My New Learnings:

Through interviewing Scott, I discovered the three light modes he requested share an underlying purpose - to connect better with family and friends. From my point of view, whether that be fixing their bikes or doing mechanical related tasks, work he does in the garage derives from a deeper motivation - create a safe and comfortable environment for his children. Hence with the aid of Spotlight, Scott can get things done faster and spend more time with his kids. Whereas Spacelight, the second light mode which is designed to perform while camping, would help and enhances the atmosphere during story telling times in the tent and draw everyone's attention to the fact that they are creating precious memories in an intimate space. 

In addition, Moodlight executes when power cut occurs. Therefore, it once again brings the family to share the moments together.

Design Strength:

This lamp is a practical tool for anyone who works under a dim environment and requires a stronger lighting. Its three different light modes make it a multi-purpose design and bring Scott closer with his family and friends. Additionally, the LED I applied into the lamp has a high colour temperature that has the ability to enhance Scott's productivity so he can spend more time with his kids.

Improvements Needed:

After showing my client, Scott the visualisation prototype, he gave me the following feedback:  

• Strengthen the ball joint on the base to prevent it from snapping 

• Sink the switch buttons and solar panels into the body for at least 2 mm to avoid damage

• Design a greater gap between the solar panels to prevent collateral damage

• Prefers estimate burnt time on the LCD screen over remain percentage

At the end of the day, I appreciate this given opportunity for us as design students to know more about the people around us. For me, I referred Scott as "my flat mate's dad" when we first met, then the title became "my client/target user" for this task, yet this design process eventually turned him into a friend.

#DES100 - Design Methods and Processes 1