Flashlight

Flashlight is re-appropraited design based on artifact study. Through study the current flashlight from material, construction, function, provenance and value, I propose two concept design with detailed elaboration.

01 Artifact Sketch

02 Artifact Profile

02/01 Material

02/02 Constructuion

Swith | Designed with bright color to be easily recognized. Prominent part is easy to push up and down.
Circlet | Leave circlet for a rope going through to hang the flashlight.
Streaks on body | Increase friction to avoid creeping down.
Bright Docration | Notice user it is the place to screw in order to open the flashlight.

02/03 Function

The size, weight and electricity feature of desk lamp and floor lamp is restricted by place, that is to say, they cannot move or cannot move very far. But the fact is people need lights when they go into darkness without these lamp. Besides, the smaller range of light provide a clearer and more focused illumination.

02/04 Provenance

In 1896, portable hand-held electric lights invented and offered advantages in convenience and safety over (combustion) torches, candles and lanterns. The electric lamp was odorless, smokeless, and emitted less heat than combustion-powered lighting. It could be instantly turned on and off, and avoided fire risk. It was invented by British man and be worldwidely used during 20th centry. Miniature lamps developed for flashlight and automotive uses became an important sector of the incandescent lamp manufacturing business.(Source: Wikipeida/flashlight/history) Nowadays, the usage is replaced by smartphone with the flashlight application. The later has a light bulb could offer sufficient light as tradition flashlight.

02/05 Value

For Designer | right after the invention of portable electricial battery, the design of flashlight is very creative and important. The designer of this particular flashlight I sketched above realize basic function: illuminate in a neat way.

For Ordinary User | it is important in last century because it is irreplaceable. But it seems useless nowadays when everyone could use the smartphone to work as a temporary flashlight, it becomes unecessary to bring another flashlight.

For Travel Lover | people who are always on the road will chose a special and professional flashlight. Professional flashlight has more functions like water prove, strobe and SOS distress signal. Flashlight is still necessary and useful for this group of people.

03 Insight Brainstorming

04 Re-appropriate Ideation#1

Instead of the plain light of traditional flashlight, colorama could be used in music live show, events or home-party. The design replace the push-up/push-down button by small disk for changing different colors.

05 Interaction Flow

Grounded on traditional flashlight, this design is for the purpose of entertainment. It is user-friendly, so it will be very easy to conduct without any thinking. For example, the disk has some sunken to fit user’s thumb. The button is simple and neat, which will not lead confusing to user. Just rotate back and forth to chose ideal color you want!

06 Re-appropriate Ideation#2

From the perspective of improving multi-function. The time-light is designed grounded on the current flashlight, with additional electronic clock on the screen. Besides the basic function of illumination, it also can cast time. It enables users to check time conveniently when they are walking in the dark with the flashlight.

07 Interaction Flow

Make advantage of the traditional flashlight: portable, easy-use, the time-light is expected to be used in a similar way with the traditional one. Users could carry with it to anywhere they want. It is user-friendly when walking in the wild with chargable light and check time by casting time on hand. In addition to field trips, time-light also can use at home. It can be placed in dark room as a night light. It enables user read time easily in the darkness.

Gengsu Tu |

Individual project by Gengsu
Feburary, 2014
Timeframe: 1 week

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