Product Durability – ORS Task Light DP402

The task for this project was, in groups of three, to research, design and produce a product that utilises the Open Rail System and is useful within a co-working space – in our case these are the UoB FabLab and design studio. The brief also stated that the product must be made predominantly out of one 2440mm x 1220mm x 18mm ply wood sheet that would be cut by a CNC mill with a 8mm flat-ended drill bit.

Our group, myself, Bea and Rogan, did surveys of the work spaces [fig.1] and conducted semi-structured interviews and co-design sessions with the users to determine what is lacking and what might be useful.

fig.1 UoB design studio. Note the poor lighting along the work spaces with some users providing their own lighting.

From our research we concluded that lighting was a limitation of the work spaces. Particularly, the irregular quality and intensity of the lighting made it unsuitable for sketching. After looking at what was on the market and researching how the quality and ability of lighting can vary we were able to come up with some specific criteria for our design:

• Must mount to a wall via the Open Rail System.
• Must be easily movable and removable from the Open Rail System.
• Must provide light with a colour of 4000 – 6000 kelvins (white light) [fig.2].
• Must provide light with a colour render index of 70 or above.
• Must provide a diffused light of 120° that creates minimal shadow.
• Should have an element of adjustability for users to reposition it as they like.
• Should be able to reduce the size/profile of the light for storage.

fig.2 The variance in light temperature depending on the output of the bulb, measured in kelvins.

With criteria in hand we were able to produce some initial ideas and designs [fig.3].

fig.3 initial concepts considering adjustability and delivering power.

As our criteria called for very specific light output we quickly decided to use a pre-made unit rather than making one ourselves as a manufacturer can provide certification affirming that their unit has been tested and produces the light claimed as well as meeting industry regulations. We also decided that an LED panel light [fig.4] [fig.5] would be most suitable as the flat, wide light source would provide the required angle of diffusion and the slim profile would be well suited for fitting into the limited materials.

fig.4 300mm x 300mm x 12mm LED panel supplied by Wholesale LED Lights.

fig.5 The light we purchased.

The specifications of the light were as follows:

The decision to use a light panel dictated some of the dimensions of the product and began to drive the overall form. As we wanted the product to be adjustable we stated to focus on a design that was made to two flat two pieces that folded together when stored and folded apart to reveal the light panel.