OVERVIEW
Hikari is a collapsible paper lantern that provides a warm ambience and aids in the routine of winding down at night.
ROLE
TIMELINE
ADVISOR
PROGRAMS
AWARDS
Designer
Spring 2024, 5 weeks
Kimberly Snyder
Fusion 360
Adobe CC
Ps, Ai
Adobe CC
Ps, Ai
2024 LIT Lighting Design Awards
Desk Lamp, Floor Lamp
Mood Lighting
Design Brief
Design and build a purposeful lighting device based on a persona and use case.
Effect of Light Before Bedtime
bright condition subjects:
- were more alert before bedtime
- slower performing the following morning
- experienced a later melatonin onset and delay in circadian timing (Figure B)
- were more alert before bedtime
- slower performing the following morning
- experienced a later melatonin onset and delay in circadian timing (Figure B)
Source
Color Temperature
- Low-intensity, warm lighting can reduce stress and anxiety as well as encourage the production of melatonin.
- Exposure to blue light has been shown to suppress melatonin production and make it more difficult to fall asleep.
- Exposure to blue light has been shown to suppress melatonin production and make it more difficult to fall asleep.
Quick Ideas
Initially, I was unsure of the type of light I wanted to create but knew that I wanted it to aid users at night. With that in mind, I sketched diverse forms to help see how shape affected perception.
The Vision
Our sleep patterns can be affected by light but so can our moods. I wanted to emphasize the role light plays in helping us wind down at night.
Key Words:
Calm
Warm
Soothing
Key Words:
Calm
Warm
Soothing
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Choosing a Direction
I was inspired by the form of oil paper umbrellas when making this concept. I felt that the umbrella's uniform folds and controlled movement gave a sense of calm and elegance - and overall was a direction I wanted to explore.
Capturing the Movement
I wanted my design to capture the essence of an umbrella so I looked into origami techniques that had transforming abilities.
Collapse & Expand
To operate a traditional umbrella, force is provided from below. But for my design, the best point of interaction for the user would be from the top (ease of access, most intuitive). Considering this, I developed a “reverse” umbrella mechanism.
The mechanism idea from 2D to 3D:
Final Pattern
After trying out a variety of folds, I came up with a spin-off of the knife pleat which would create the 6 panels of the light shade. This fold technique has a unique, aesthetic curve that opens up when the frame expands.
After analyzing the full-scale model, refinements were made to the base structure to improve the usability and mechanical smoothness.
Assembling the Base
For the final model, the base was partially 3D printed for speed of construction. I utilized leftover sapele mahogany to create the base slats and top piece while the mechanism is created from bamboo.
The Pleated Shade
Washi paper is cut, folded, and sewn to create each section of the shade.
