MELLO
type
Individual project
duration
April–May 2023
We engage with light throughout each day, from the moment the sun rises to its descent. These daily encounters are complemented by purposefully designed light fixtures, each serving specific roles to enhance our experiences.
Individuals personalize their surroundings with night lamps placed next to their beds, adding an extra layer of comfort to their nightly routines. It's within this context that Mello emerges—an innovative light fixture that delves into the world of night lamps, with a singular focus on elevating the user's experience in their bedroom.
design brief
In this project, layers are used to control the lighting effects, making the experience more interactive and engaging for users. By engaging with the actual structure of the product, users can easily customize the lighting to match their specific sleep preferences.
How can layers be explored in lighting to create a more engaging and physical user experience?
concept keywords
Layers
The layering of materials enables the creation of varying intensities of light. This quality opens up possibilities for further exploration in lampshade design.
Diffusion
The diffusion of light helps users in establishing a more conducive mood before or during sleep. Thus, the key lies in diffusing the light to produce a soft, warm glow.
Haptic
Haptics are usually not a main focus in night lamps. Diving deeper into these aspects will lead to more unique user experience with the product.
mood board
exploration
To better understand light’s diffusion in relation to form and materiality, a series of explorations was conducted.
A unique lighting effect emerged from a design using Bristol paper: a stack of hollow cylinders with interposed disks. Removing the disks created beautiful light diffusion and layering, enhancing the piece’s visual appeal. I further developed this concept with PLA sheets, which provided even better diffusion while improving structural integrity and durability.
Based on the outcomes of these experiments, I decided to utilize plastic as the primary material.
Initial Light Exploration
Final Direction
ideation
From this ideation sketching of the forms, I decided on the bottom right form.
CAD modeling
More detailed and precise design decisions were made by modeling the fixture on Solidworks.
fabrication
3D Printing
The final product is fabricated using white satin PLA filament through 3D printing. While the ideal material choice would have been resin, limitations in production led to the selection of PLA as a suitable alternative. However, all 3D prints are wet sanded for resin-like finish.
Sanding
Assembly
An E26 base LED bulb emitting amber light is used as the light source. The size of the bulb is specifically chosen to align with the height of the lamp’s base component.
mello
Mello is an interactive night lamp with an adjustable light intensity achieved by rotating the disks between its bodies. The white matte plastic body facilitates a gentle diffusion of light, making it an ideal choice for establishing a soothing sleeping atmosphere in the bedroom. Mello’s smooth and meticulously curved form embodies timeless simplicity and sophistication, harmoniously blending into the interior while stimulating a sense of serenity and refinement. Elevate your nocturnal experience with Mello, where elegance and functionality converge in perfect harmony.
