Topz: Versatile Lighting Solution
Making use of raw materials for a simple but intuitive desktop product.
The aim of this project is to create a luxury lighting solution in the home environment. Light has become a prominent area of research in psychology. Harsh, cool lights, such as emitted from our phones wake us up and keep us from recharging after a long day. The hormone melatonin regulates not just our sleeping rhythms, but also affects our mood, appetite and even cardiovascular system. It is therefore important to take a step back and evaluate how to light a home.
The result of a back and forth between drawing, testing effects and feedback sessions is a tactile, interactive design. Topz has two lighting positions and is fully adjustable. Position one creates a brighter, larger, directly illuminated area needed for working or reading. The second delivers an ambient glow that distributes the light indirectly into the room and creates an atmospheric ambient.
The lamp's design was made three dimensional to test the size and lighting effects both on and around the object. Notably the angle needed to be steeper to increase the area lit by the direct light position, however the white plastic part and logo show a clear difference in effect.
This stage started by communicating with workshop technicians and formulating final technical drawings, followed by various fabrication processes (including cutting, bending, welding, drilling and milling), with consideration to their industrial counterparts. This was by far the most challenging part of the process, with a few hiccups along the way, such as having to design brackets to improve the base fitting. Finally the parts were assembled and the electrics were soldered and connected. The design features easy light bulb replacement, simple switch and adjustment by sliding the shade and a safe 12V system.
More from the Project...
Topz: Design for Manufacture
A redesign was carried out to create a product suitable for mass production.