Do to the VELUX Group’s 75 years anniversary, they put up a competition in collaboration with Little Sun to do a special edition of Little Sun’s already existing solar lamp. This project was carried out as part of a 5 week school project.
Form Follows Function
With this in mind, I began analyzing the existing design and quickly realized that aesthetics had been prioritized at the expense of functionality. Therefore, I started by designing the lamp’s functions before focusing on its aesthetics.
The lamp is designed with two distinct light settings: the first provides ambient light to illuminate a larger area, while the second offers a focused beam for more precise lighting. You control these settings, or turn the lamp off, by rotating the upper part of the lamp. This adjusts the lens focus or, when turned fully, switches the light off.
As I mentioned earlier, “Form follows function.” This is why the shape transitions from a somewhat square base to a rounded top. The base houses a solar panel, which is square to minimize costs, while the top features a round lens designed for optimal performance.
While designing the shape of the lamp, I focused on working within the main form itself to create a more solid appearance. This approach also allowed me to shift the center of gravity forward, enabling the lamp to not only hang but also stand independently.
Aesthetics
More Than an Icon
To complete the design, I embossed the Little Sun logo onto the top of the lamp to strengthen the brand identity and give the lamp a more distinctive appearance. Additionally, the long line from the logo serves as an indicator of which light setting the lamp is on, as demonstrated in the video below.
Project Poster
