Project Description: The 'Mechanical Cardboard Lamp' was the first practical assessment completed during the duration of this degree. The task was to create a mechanically working Task Lamp out of thick white cardboard (1000gsm White Cardboard). This design was mostly made out of the required material, however, the mechanical element was made from timber (shaped by hand to a dowel shape), string and skewer sticks to create a durable twist motion system. Through the use of this mechanism it allowed the head of the lamp to move up and down efficiently, providing a multi-purpose product; as seen above it can be utilised as an ordinary task lamp and an aesthetically pleasing lamp to light up the room itself.
Project Usability Demonstration:
Here is a video demonstrating the addressed mechanism and overall workings of the new and improved 'Cardboard Task Lamp'.
Prototype and Material Reflection:
Deciding the material for the head of the lamp was deemed the most important to consider, as it acted as the dependent variable for the mechanism to work effectively; evidently represented through the process of prototyping. After prototyping this design, it was evident that the required material (1000gsm cardboard) was too heavy causing the head of the lamp to cave in and hinder the ease of the mechanism. This influenced the use of the A4 Silver Glitter Cardboard, as not only was it light in weight and aesthetically pleasing; but it also had great reflective factors and made the light project more vibrantly. Considering light reflective surfaces for material, it allows the dependency of the number of LEDs utilised to be decreased.
The Power Switch was found to be the most effective at the base of the model, not only aided functionally but provided stability for the overall product through additional applied weight. It also allowed ease when threading the electrical wires to the inside of the head of the lamp.
Disclaimer: This project was made during the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning materials were limited making the overall design thinking stage more challenging; as not all ideations were do- able in this scenario. However, this project did enhance my skills in model making, ergonomics and electronics (soldering the wires to the switch and LEDs to create a working lamp).
