lighting

Here is a comprehensive (i.e. LONG) video on task lighting development over the last couple of years.

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.
Continue reading…

Here are a few images of the Dome Light with difference dial switches. I am still redesigning the dials so that they are as minimal as possible but still work well rotated with only a finger.

Continue reading…

I recently had a crit for a light which exists somewhere between a task light and a sculptural desk light. I designed it around a ring shaped LED. I wanted to keep the profile as thin as possible with the idea that sculpturally it would read as a line drawing or pen and ink drawing.
Continue reading…

So I survived my first formal critique of the school year. As an added bonus, Alissia Melka-Teichroew and Jan Habraken were visiting and sat in on the crit (thanks again!). The format for our crit is as follows: A peer sits down with you a few days before the crit day to go over what you plan on showing. You explain the intention behind your work and offer sources of inspiration, etc. They take that info and use it to write up a formal breakdown and assessment of your work. This assessment is presented to everyone at the beginning of the crit. It is read and then everyone but the designer begins to talk about the work. Afterward the designer addresses ideas, issues, etc that come up over the course of the discussion.
Continue reading…

The next design iteration for the ring light involved creating a table mount for the light to rest in. This would help angle and elevate the light source improving its function as a desk light. The light could then be removed and hung on a wall. Ideally the base would be a charging station as well.
Continue reading…

The Flap Light was a departure from the Solar Paddle Lights that I had completed for my ‘First Years Project’ in October. Another jump from the Flap Light has me investigating various ways of using less material; showing off the incredibly thin forms that can be achieved when using LED’s, weighing the virtues of autonomous function and support versus the use of external support structures; looking at battery operation versus wired/corded connections and the limitations or advantages of both; assessing light quality.
Continue reading…

This video demonstrates the way in which the dial switch works with the glass dome light. It still needs a bit of tweaking; the inner diameter of the dial needs to be a few more millimeters smaller to engage the microswitch every time. Once I get it resolved, it’ll be time for producing 3 of them.
Here is what the inside of the prototype looks like:

After completing the first years 3D Design project, I wound up with a lighting concept that I wanted to continue to explore. I am interested in creating a light that can be used as a wall sconce, desk light or portable light source.
Continue reading…

Today I had the privilege of working with master glassblower Chris Nordin of Furnace Design Studio/Glass Academy in Dearborn MI. This video shows the work involved in creating the domes for my lighting project. Afterward they rest in an annealing oven for at least 12 hours and then they will be cut and ground and fit to the lighting fixtures. It was a real treat to be able to watch the process first-hand. There may be more glass work in my future… Chris is a really nice guy and happy to work with artists and designers.