3 days is all it takes to design Wonder!
Digital Habits introduced us to the new module at school called “Think Real, Design Wonder”. Our brief was to design activators for the morning. So, with a team of 3 and 3 days to create the activator, we got our brains pumped for the crazy, fun days ahead. The team consisted of:
We had one day to brainstorm, to be honest about 4 hours. It was the quickest brainstorming sessions ever.
The initial idea came up during discussions when we studied people’s morning rituals. A quick session with questions and research revealed that most people’s mornings are usually hurried, often woken up by mobile phones next to them. We wanted to redesign morning rituals which encourages waking up gradually and fresh, with a pleasant activity, preparing the mind and body for the day.
We often don’t realize it but gradually preparing the body and mind, also gives them time to adjust to the morning, demanding energy. It only makes one wake up, fully and feeling empowered. We decided to design a Lamp integrating an alarm function into it.
At first we brainstormed the Scenario and Sketched how it might function. Breathing techniques and light have a major role to play in the design.
Inspiration: Pranayama
It is an exercise for the body to cope with stress, clearing the mind and programming the body to experience a flow of energy while performing it. Bringing in these breathing exercises before you are out of your bed is a great way to start your day.
The light translates the breathing activity with a fading in and out function, while a gradual increase in the music would wake one up. It imitates a glow, a sort of radiating energy that can indicate activation even when the eyes are closed. It has been designed for people who would like to be woken up gradually, with deep breathing and stimulating music everyday.
On YOLA, one can utilize the touch interface that detects your finger when you want to set the alarm. As you slide your finger in the direction of a clock, when you stop it detects the hour, while the minutes section is closer to the edge of the lamp. In the morning when it is time to wake up, YOLA begins to play a meditative track 5 minutes before with the help of a bluetooth speaker, gradually increasing the volume. The lights begin to flash. One must sync their breath to perform Pranayama, inhaling and exhaling like the lamp’s activity. Eventually, when you are awake and would like to turn the alarm off, you must wave before the lamp.
Prototyping and testing the LED strip. After we figured the code and tested it, we started designing the frame of the lamp. On YOLA, one can utilize the touch interface that detects your finger when you want to set the alarm. As you slide your finger in the direction of a clock, when you stop it detects the hour, while the minutes section is closer to the edge of the lamp. In the morning when it is time to wake up, YOLA begins to play a meditative track 5 minutes before with the help of a bluetooth speaker, gradually increasing the volume. The lights begin to flash. One must sync their breath to perform Pranayama, inhaling and exhaling like the lamp’s activity. Eventually, when you are awake and would like to turn the alarm off, you must wave before the lamp.
The shape of YOLA comes from O, the sun, the circle of life, the dot and the cycle that is related to the completeness of a shape. It also allowed us to play with the lighting and hiding the source of the light. The shape is also pleasing, balanced and allows the light to gradually grow and dim. It could easily be a part of the interior decor due to its subtle and minimalistic aesthetics.
Here is the moodboard for the lighting effect and product design:
We first created a wooden frame and laser cut. The neopixel LEDs were very intense. So the first job was to diffuse the light source. Initially, butterpaper was used to see the effect of light.
But cloth had a better effect, plus it hid the light source very well. Almost like the cloth was emmiting the light.
This is how it looked finally. Doesn’t it look delicious? :D
Here we are testing the lamp.The design of YOLA is made out of plywood and lycra. The model consists of rings and a base to hold the Digital Habits Board, a cavity for the bluetooth speaker and the LEDs. The LEDs are placed inside and outside of YOLA to light up.
We were mentored by Studio Digital Habits, Milan and we worked on the theme Morning Activators. In the picture below: Diego, Alessandro from Digital Habits and Asanka and Nicolo from Team YOLA.
