The Making of my Sonic Lamp

In MYP Design & Technology my classmates and I were tasked with splitting into groups of four to collaborate on designing and making a desk lamp. This was done with the idea that our moods can be affected by the intensity and depth of light we receive; it is proven that well-being and productivity are related to the quality of light. As designers, we had to figure out how to use light to change the ambiance of a room.

My group and I decided to go with something fun and quirky that would liven up the atmosphere of a bedroom. We split the project into four roles: designer, planner, manufacturer, and painter. I was the sole designer and came up with the concept drawings below in Figure 1. While one half of my group came up with the specifications and measurements, me and another person whom I had never really spoken to then turned my concept drawing into a CorelDRAW drawing, which we used to laser cut the necessary parts for the lamp. My teammate also was a fan of this video game character, and working together to design the lamp was a really great way to begin talking, and today we remain great friends.

My role in the project gave me the immense satisfaction of working on a group project where everybody agrees on the process and the intended outcome. The pride that came from using my idea and design to make this lamp as a team is why I remember this project so fondly.