WAVE LAMP
My concept with this lamp was to design something that focused on line to create form. This gives the lamp a sculptural yet visceral feel that resembles the flow of the sea.
THE INSPIRATION
I saw the Sea Link in Mumbai as a primary inspiration of mine. I was drawn to it's elegant cable lines and striking geometry that create a dramatic view on the bridge and as an iconic part of the Mumbai skyline.
In total, the whole process, from the research all the way to the prototype and rendering, took me over a month. Even though I have so far only made Lo-Fi physical mockups and high-res digital renders, the integration of this form into a high fidelity furniture piece is already underway. It was important I do a physical mockup of this idea to be able to envision this product in space, the way it interacts with light and shadow and the overall experience of this lamp.
Process Brief
Research
While doing some research on mathematic concepts for the shape of this project, I landed on a Hyperbolic Parabola. This three-dimensional shape has both a ruled surface and a double curve. I saw it show up in mid-century architecture but, most notably, I was struck by the shape of a Pringles chip. When I discovered it was a ruled surface, I was able to begin conceptualizing the form.
Prototype
The initial prototype I made was out of Bamboo barbecue skewers and pieces of craft wood. I cut up a piece of linen from a bag and stretched it on the frame, which gave it a sort of wrinkled look that grew on me. Initial testing for the lamp involved using an iPhone lamp but I chose a puck light with a warm glow and a diffuser so that the light coming from the lamp isn't too harsh.
Materials
I liked this idea of rendering this form with a sort of weightlessness. In order to let this unique shape stand on it's own, I wanted the material to follow it very lightly. Hence, I decided on wooden sticks and planks for the frame, with a linen cloth to diffuse the light coming from below. This way, I was getting this motif of lines throughout even the diffused shadows of this lamp.
Renders
Using Blender, I prototyped the lamp in 3D. Inspired by the form of a hyperbolic parabola which has been translated into 3 dimensions, it gives the lamp a mathematical precision that also feels sculptural.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Prototypes
I also made a physical mockup of this idea so that it can be better understood in a real environment. I wanted to understand not just the product itself, but how people reacted to it as it illuminated its surroundings.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)