Mirror Hooks
The Mirror Hooks project is almost complete. Currently the White Oak version is done and ready to receive jackets, scarves, and bags. Once I get back to school in a couple of weeks, I will have the Walnut version completed. It is great to finally have this project nearing completion. Here is an image that demonstrat
Orbit Light
All of the work on the Dome Light prototypes has resulted in the Orbit Light. The name is in reference to the way the light switch dial rotates around the glass dome like planets around a star. At this point, I feel that most of the design issues that surfaced during the prototyping of the Dome Lights has largely bee
Clip Tree
I ended the 3rd semester with a completed version of the coat tree/valet artifact that I am now calling 'Clip Tree' (sometimes sticking with a name is hard...). Here are some additional images of (thanks PD Rearick):
Half-Full Light
My last project for the school year is a light that uses a left over piece from the Dome Light project, a dimmer switch, dimmable LED puck light, RP components, an acrylic lens, and a cloth-covered cord. The light is designed as accent lighting. The top of the light rotates in either direction to turn the light on and
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I have spent some time looking at valet furniture using Google’s image search in hopes of generating some ideas for designing a related furniture object. Generally you can find one in a hotel. They are typically used for hanging up a suit and storing all of the items in the suit’s pockets. Ultimately I came away from this search with an idea for receptacles, hooks, etc., that are designed with specific objects in mind, like cell phones, keys, scarves, bags, coats, etc. I explored how this might be integrated into a coat rack-type system. What I have come up with, so far, is a configurable coat rack system that uses color-coded hooks and receptacles for many objects that one might wish to place close to the front door (of a house, office, hotel room).
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My last project for the school year is a light that uses a left over piece from the Dome Light project, a dimmer switch, dimmable LED puck light, RP components, an acrylic lens, and a cloth-covered cord. The light is designed as accent lighting. The top of the light rotates in either direction to turn the light on and off as well as dimming. Dimples on the top suggest finger placement.
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We are reading selected sections from the book Design Studies – A Reader. It is a collection of essays that cover a great range of topics.
Our first two sections are on the iconic Eames Lounge Chair vis-à-vis the Barcalounger and Michael Graves and his relationship with Alessi and Target Corp., respectively.
The first essay, written by Wava Carpenter called ‘The Eames Lounge- The Difference Between a Design Icon and Mere Furniture’, begins by giving a brief history of the lounge chair and gives examples of articles and events, like the inclusion in many permanent art collections, that help easily solidify the reputation of the chair as a deign icon.
I was happy to read this article as I have felt that the distinction between these two chairs as emblematic of the cultural divide between those that consider materials and aesthetics when choosing furniture and those who don’t.
The Charmed Light will feature a bit of articulation which allows the light source to be angled as well as rotated in an circle relative to the base. I have been looking at ways to rotate and angle the light so that the angle is maintained once a person positions it. So far the most compelling solution for testing is to use lifting magnets at the end of the light head and slightly recessed within the metal tube that meets the head. The magnets have a vertical hold strength of 6 lbs. They also have mounting holes in the middle which, in my case, is perfect for passing wiring for the LED strips through.
This is what I have so far for the head:
I have not been entirely happy with the form that I gave to the head of the light in the first iteration. So I’ve gone back to refine it a bit more and give it a sleeker form. I think that it makes the light look less top-heavy. I think I should make the head even smaller…more to come as far as that is concerned.
Specs: Acrylic, Steel, Canvas
16”(H) x 13”(W) x 13”(D)
Process: This piece is the result of a two-stage class assignment. In the first stage, we were tasked with creating a 12”x12” cushion, with no further instruction. The second stage required us to design something around the cushion. My goal was to create something that looked as though it was designed in one stage rather than two.
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Both the Dome and Cylinder lights that I am designing will benefit from the use of gear trains in order to rotate the dimmer switch 360 degrees to achieve full brightness. I’ve been looking into how best to design gears in SolidWorks and, in the process, came across some cool videos on YouTube showing all sorts of different gear assemblies, Gevena mechanisms, etc.
Here is an example:
Continuing with the design ideas from the Dome Light, as well as inspiration from Barber Osgerby’s amazingly beautiful Lanterne Marine vases, I am working on a table lamp that is essentially a cylinder with an aluminum armature and glass shade. The light switch will use the same dimmer dial idea as the Dome light but will be flush with the base except for two raised buttons on opposite sides from one another, that one pinches with thumb and middle finger to rotate. This idea was the result of fumbling for the a traditional light switch on my bedside lamp in the middle of the night. Feeling the surface of the Cylinder light for the dial should be much easier.
I am working on a design for a tall, adjustable lamp. The design inspiration is an image of a snake rising from a basket in response to a snake charmer. I love how this translates into an open round base with the main tubing appearing to defy gravity a bit as it emerges from the base. A possible design evolution would be to have an actual basket as the base with the lamp emerging from that. I would need to investigate the possibility of having baskets woven to spec, possibly from India. I have done a little research into this and have found a company that works with the disabled to produce baskets. If I get closer to a prototyping this lamp, I may contact them.
Specs: Acrylic
8”(H) x 12”(W) x 6”(D)
Process: From early renderings, I became interested in translucent nested forms and began to play around with the idea of changing the focus from the outer structure to the inner, depending on time of day and whether the light was on or off.
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