Lamp Project

Helena Powis (4094) 1

Design BriefIn this Project, I will be designing a lamp inspired by elements of man-made and Nature. This may be the shape of a leaf or a tyre print.

Throughout this project I will research different patterns textures and materials from different sources to create my own lamp design. This

may be through looking at previous lamp designs with man-made and natural elements or looking at elements of man-made and nature.

The lamp itself may be one of the following: - chandelier, desk lamp, bedside lamp, decoration lamp, room light, garden path lamp. I need

to think about who would use the lamp I design and where they would put it. Also what they would use it for.

Here is a chart showing 3 designs which I have found particularly interesting. I have analysed each by writing about what it is made from, how it is made and why I chose it

etc.

What is the name of the lamp? Who is

the designer?

This lamp is called Minimalist Wood

Sculpture Fine Art Wood Sculpture on

Illuminated Glass Core. By

SplitGrain

From California, United States

These lights are from the bamboo lantern

festival in Taketa Oita Japan.

Monarchs Porcelain Lamp by

AmyCooperCeramics on Etsy, £220.00

What materials is the lamp made from? This lamp is made from limbs from

cypress trees. It has several coats of

UV protecting clear urethanease. It is

carved out to fit a solid aluminium heat

sink that protrudes from the back.

The lamps are made from bamboo shoots

which have been cut at an angle and then

a small candle or led light has been

placed inside.

This lamp has been made from clay and

rock.

How has the lamp been made? The lamp is hand carved and not in a

factory. It is completely unique.

The lamp has been made simply by

chopping a bamboo shoot at an angle.

This lamp is slipcast and sandblasted using

an intricate paper stencil as a mask. I

sandblast the work until the areas that

are covered by the stencil stand proud.

The stencil is then removed, revealing the

design. The pieces are diamond polished

before being wired up.

Where would the lamp be used? He map incudes a USB cable which allows

it to be plugged in to a plug or in a

computer. This makes it suitable

decorating around the house. Where it be

by the entrance or on a desk.

These lights can be used anywhere. But if

it has a candle inside it is recommended

to be used outside in a garden or down a

path.

This lamp is to be used as Organic

atmospheric porcelain lighting. It can be

used in anywhere. Preferably inside.

Who would use the lamp The lamp could be used by anyone but the

lamp is very pricy so someone who can

afford to spend 400 pounds on a lamp.

The lamp could be used for anyone who

wants to light up there garden or light up

a front porch,

The lamp could be used by someone who

wants to decorate his/her room or

bedroom.

Personal response I chose this lamp before I likes the used of

bark to create a light. I specifically like

the way the light is controlled and made

to come out of a few slots. I think this

create a calm atmosphere and also looks

very pretty. I also like the fact that it is a

very natural shape, as in the shape is not

manufactured and geometric.

I chose this lamp design as I thought it

was very elegant. I like how the light is

very small yet in groups make a very

impressive pathways lighting. It is also

very simplistic which I think is very good.

I picked this light as I thought it was very

different. The lamp itself is enclosed on a

ball and instead of letting the light come

out from a small hole or from a shape,

the design is done so that some areas of

the lamp is thinner than the others which

makes the light peer out brighter in some

spots more than others. I think this makes

a very good atmospheric effect.

Susan and Pete are Brother and Sister. They usually work as individuals but sometimes join forces to

create bigger pieces. For example The Eden Project.

Pete has previously worked as a Designer, maker, performer, engineer, pyro technician, stuntman, fire

sculptor and rigger for Kneehigh Theatre He is also a Puppet maker and engineer for Disney's Lion

King at the Lyceum and for Pop Up Theatre. Pete is currently studying for a Masters degree in

Glaciology at Svalbard University.

Sue is a visual artist, performer, curator and theatre maker, Associate Director of WildWorks and

member of the Creative Team at the Eden Project. She is a Trustee of Hall for Cornwall and an

Honorary Fellow of University College Falmouth.

Projects they have worked on together include both public and private commissions making iconic

imagery such as; The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Chelsea Flower Show and The Eden Project. In 2007

they made a giant mud sculpture for the Great Rift Valley Festival at Laikipia in Kenya, and in 2008

headed a Cornish team of artists working for the festival alongside the Italian production company

Studio Festi.

Susan and Pete Hill

This Piece is called MudMaid by Susan and Pete Hill. It was on display at Lost Gardens of Heligan

in Cornwall, UK. It is made out of mud and covered in moss and long grass. I chose this sculpture

because I liked the textures and the shape of it. I feel it ties into the theme of Nature and man-

made. The shape of the woman and the making of the model is all man-made however the

materials used and decorated with are all natural. (Mud Moss Clay Rock). I think the use of natural

material to make an unnatural shapes and textures. For example the hair has been recreated by

using long hair like grass.

This is a lamp in the style of Susan and Pete hills sculpture MudMaid. I have taken inspiration from it

and made a lamp which looks like a factory made lamp but is in fact a lamp made out of all natural

materials. I tried to make the lamp look like it was made from smooth shinny plastic so if I was to

make this lamp it would be made from a natural grown material which has a similar texture. This

could be something like sanded down wood or small tiles of smooth rocks. For this design I have

used tiled rocks on the lampshade so the light can go through the gaps between each rock and the

base of it is made from sanded down wood.

These 3 designs were inspired by this picture of a leaf. I chose this image

because I thought it went well with the theme of nature. Also the shape of

this leaf can be used in various ways to create a lamp design.

These 3 designs were inspired by this picture of some old moss covered trees.

I chose this image because I liked the shape of the curving trees and I thought

it would make some interesting designs.

This Design was inspired by the

leaves. It is a desk lamp which

lights up in the middle. The

lamp is made out of either

acrylic or glass.

This design is a desk lamp.

The base has the 4 leaf shapes

and the neck of the lamp

represents the stalk of a plant.

This light is a decoration lamp.

The lamp is shaped like a leaf

and is 3d. It has small slits where

the light can come through from.

This lamp design was inspired by

the branches of the tree. It is a

room light which would hang from

the ceiling. It would be a bawl

shape covered in branches.

This design was inspired by the

curve of the trees branches. I

decided to stick the lights at

the end of the branches.

This lamp design is a long curves

tube. Taking inspiration from the

tree trunk with the light coming

from the top of the design.

Here I have designed lamps inspired by scaffolding and man made

structures. I chose this image as I thought it would be a good source of

inspiration. In particular the geometric shapes made from it.

I have designed some lamps inspired by this picture of an old tree branch. I

chose this image as I thought the shape was good for a lamp design.

This lamp is a small desk lamp

which has the texture of the bark

on the outside. The gaps in the

marks of the bark allow the light

to come through.

This lamp is in the shape of a tree

with a big globe ball on the top. The

ball is the light and the branches are

what hold it up.

This lamp is in the shape of a tree

trunk. It is shallow to allow the

light to go through the holes.

This lamp is all hollow and all wire

except from the lamp shade.

There is a hinge at the middle of

the design, allowing it to bend.

This lamp has a compressible neck

so that you can make it taller and

shorter. The base is just a circle

and the shade is plastic.

This lamp is a prism shaped room

light. The body is made fully of

pipe/wire. The light will sit at the

top.

This page is inspired by the shape and texture of bark. I chose this

image because I liked the textures of the bark.

These designs were inspired by the collage of natural plants and flowers. I chose

this image because I liked the shapes and lines of the images.

This design will be made from

wood and has stacked pieces

which allow the light to come

through the gaps.

This design has a lot of curved

branches to create the shade

part of the lampshade and to

create interesting shadows.

This lamp design is to be stuck

to a wall. It is 2d. It is suppose

to resemble a dandelion where

the ends of the lines are the

lights.

This lamp design inspired by a

snails shell. It would have lights

around the design.

This lamp design inspired by a

tree but I have made the edges

more ridged and perfect. It

would be a desk lamp.

This lamp design is a bowl shape

with pieces cut out the top to let

the light out. The shapes are like

the ones from bark. The gaps

become less infrequent at the

bottom

This page of designs are inspired by the shapes from the dry earth. I chose

this image as I liked how the pieces fit perfectly together.

This design is to be hung from the ceiling and

the pieces light up. I think the random pieces

will make a good design and light.

This design is a desk lamp. The pieces ,

inspired by the image, are stuck on to a

see through/ cloudy surface.

This design is a desk lamp. The big circle at

the top is the light and the staked pieces in

the middle are part of the base of the lamp.

This page has a collection of lamps inspired by ma made buildings and structures. I

chose this image as there are a lot of things to take inspirations from. Different

shaped buildings

This design was inspired by

windows and how a window is

suppose to let in sunlight. The

man made equivalents is a light

bulb.

This design is inspired by the

scaffolding of buildings. The

lights being the screws and

bolts and I have curves it to

imitate a growing plant.

This design is suppose to look

like the silhouette of a long row

of buildings. The slits where the

light comes out are the windows

of the buildings.

Sketch modelThis sketch model was inspired by the shapes of leaves and the veins on the leaf. I took the lamp design which I

designed and made a sketch model of it. The design is a large 3d leaf which the veins of the leaf cut out to create

the gaps which the light would go through. The sides also have stripped sections cut out to create more space for the

light to come out from.

I decided to make my model from corrugated card so I could bent and curve the material to create the curved edges

of my lamp design. I also used a knife to cute out the leaves veins to create the gapes which the light would go

through.

I started with a large piece of card on which I drew 2 exact copies of a leaf with bold veins. Then I drew another

strip of card about 5cm which would wrap around the edges of the 2 leave shapes. This piece also has a strip pattern

of which I would cut out. When all the pieces were complete, I used a sharp knife which I used to cut out the pieces

carefully. Finally I took my 3 pieces and stuck them together using a glue gun.

(when making my model I made sure I had a overall on at all times to protect my clothes. Also when handling the

knife and hot glue gun I wasn’t distracted and my hair was tied up.)

To improve my designs I thought about adding 2 extra

leaves on each side to create a more detailed and

interesting design. I also added a base to add balance

and I think this would make it more natural and less

man made.

I also thought about making the corners and surfaces

rounded to create a softer and less ridged design.

Overall I think my sketch model looks very good and a

well rounded design and final project.

Sketch modelFor this model, I took inspiration from the block shapes of dry soil. I created a tower like lamp with lots of different

shaped and sized pieced which would build to a round bulb which is suppose to represent the sun shining onto the dry

ground.

I made this sketch model using a mixture of blue sculpting foam and thick pieces of MDF. This is so I cold build a large top

which wouldn’t unbalance the lamp. Also so that I would sand down the corners easily.

I started by taking a pieces of thick MDF and drawing out the pieces which I would stick to make the tower of different

shaped pieces. I then used a band saw and cut out the pieces. Then I took a pieces of blue sculpting foam and drew 4

rhombus shapes to make the beams and also a small square which would stick all the pieces together. I used the band

saw akin to cut these pieces out and stuck it all together using a hot glue gun. First I stuck the MDF together, followed

by the blue foam pieces.

( When in the workshop, I made sure I had my overall on and my hair was tied up. When using the band saw, I made sure

the guard was down and I had protective goggles on. When using the glue gun, I made sure I wasn’t distracted so I didn’t

burn myself)

I think this model went very well.

All the pieces fit together well but to improve I

would add the circular pieces back on top as I

think it will balance out the design more.

Also I would curve in the middle column so it

looks more smooth and put together.

My last improvement is to add base which would

help the lamp to stand up right as it would have

a larger surface area the bottom to balance on.

Sketch modelThis design was inspired by a plant. The base of the light is made up of large leaves branching out. The neck is made to

be the stalk of the plant and the lamp shade is an flower.

I made this lamp out of thin pieces of MDF, blue sculpting foam and wire. The base eaves are made from MDF as these

need to be solid and strong whereas the stalk is made from wire so it can be bend is already in a tall long and thin shape

and the lampshade is made from blue sculpting foam because I needed to be able to sand down the corner to make the

round shape of the lampshade easily and effectively.

I started by cutting out a square shape with the band saw out of the blue foam and used sand paper to curve the edges

and make the round lampshade. Then I took the thin piece of MDF and made 4 exact copies of a leaf for the base and

cut this out using the band saw. After that I took a length of wire (approx. 15cm) and cut that put of a coil of wire using

some wire cutters. I then put it all together by piercing the wire into the rounded blue foam and took another piece of

small square shaped blue foam which had the 4 leaf shapes and stabbed them into the small foam piece and glued it

together. I then pieced the other end of the wire into the small foam piece and bent the wire to create a c shape to

create the lamp shape. ( I made sure I had a overall and my hair tied back. I also look care when using equipment)

This design went well as I think it looks the most like a

functioning lamp out of all my sketch models.

However, to improve I would add a few more stalk wires and

larger leaves as the lamp was very unbalanced and very

fragile.

I would then add some small decoration leaves to the stalks

so it looks more wild. And would also make the lamp more

sturdy and solid.

Production DiaryFirst I opened Adobe illustrator and set the colour to RBG and the size of

the screen to 450mm by 800mm as that is the size of the laser bed.

Next I went on to drew the shapes I wanted to be cut out in the laser

cutter. So to begin with I wanted to made the base where all the leaves

would be stuck to and branch out from. This would be a small rectangle so I

took the rectangle tool and made a it 50mm by 30mm.

Then I found an image of a leaf I wanted and copied that into Photoshop.

Then I used the paint and traced the image. I deleted the original image so

I was left with the outline of my shape. Then I copied 5 other copies so

there were 6 and copied another 6 but this time smaller so I have different

layers of leaves. (when drawing round the leaves make sure you do it with

by zooming in to the image as it will give a better finish)

Finally I selected all the pieces I wanted and changed the line thickness so

0.001 and made sure the shapes had no colour and that the lines were back.

I then saved this file and sent it to the laser cutter where the shapes were

cut out onto black an white acrylic.

Once the pieces were cut out I used the vacuum which made the pieces soft

and bendy. I used a round pieces of MFF which I used as a mould so I would

get a perfect circle shape with the rectangle base pieces and randomly

curved the leaf shapes to make it look as natural and free as possible. (the

pieces will get hot so use gloves, tie your hair up and make sure you wear

an overall when using the machines)

Finally I used some liquid cement to glue all the pieces together.

(make sure you gone get it on your fingers as it is very strong. Also do not

used too much as it will leave a mark although it dry's clear)

Final Model

My final model was inspired by this

image. Particularly the shape of

the leaf.

This is my final design. It is a bunch of leaves or petals surrounding the

light bulb. I wanted to do this so that you could see the light peering

through the top and the gaps between each petal.

Personally I think my model went well. The leaves fit together as I hoped

and the final look is how I wanted it to look. Although, one of the petals

are not aligned with the others and the glue is very visible though the

transparent acrylic leaves on the outside. To avoid this, I would of used

opatic acrylic instead. I made this design like this to go with the theme

of man made and nature as it shower the man made source (the light)

being shielded and enclosed by the nature. (the curved leaves)

Through making this model, I used a laser butter to cut out all the acrylic

pieces, a vacuum heater ; to warm up and bend the acrylic shapes so

they curved; and a syringe to apply the liquid cerement to stick the

pieces together.