Tei

This lamp is a product of collaboration, from a class of 24 and was realised through an iterative process of visualisation, prototyping, screening and continual design review. The final resolved design was then manufactured, in a batch production of 28 identical lamps, boxed and ready for commercial release.

Lighting Design

Year: 2024
Duration: 12 weeks
Role: Project Manager, Concept Creator and Campaigner
Mentor: Rodney Adank, Michael Fleetwood-Jones
Collaborators: Adam Kan, Bella Carvell-Coles, Cameron McLeod, Cameron Murray, Cole Anderson, Corey Matheson, Enzo Gordon, Ian Smith, Jack Johansson, Joel Martin, Joji Dell, Josh Henshaw, Kaiyu Li, Karson Burns, Mae Rose-Wills, Mark Morris, Megan Uttley, Rebbeca McCulloch, Ruby Keegan, Rupert Shepherd, Sarina Oetgen, Theo Jones, Will Hadfield
Medium: Metal, Wood
Context: A semester-long group project focusing on product development and batch production.
Link: Best Awards

Initial Development

A wooden prototype of the 'Tei' lamp, showing the arm and base structure.

Detailed sketches showing the sliding, bent acrylic, and weighted back components of the lamp. — This was my initial concept that was voted to be further developed in a team of 5.

This prototype was developed in a team of five, working together to refine the aesthetic and mechanics. Building physical prototypes from the beginning is what helped us to understand all the problems that had to be solved further down the track. How can we make the back of the arm heavier so it holds in place? How can we avoid using glue? What's a simple yet effective way of diffusing the light source?

A finished metal and wood lamp, 'Tei', displayed on a surface against a black background.

Close-up view of the metal frame and horizontal arm of the 'Tei' lamp design.

Hand interacting with the metal and wood base of the lamp prototype.

After 3 weeks of development, the concept was selected for batch production. This meant our whole class of 24 students had to jump on board to refine the design so it could be batch-produced in 28 identical, boxed units, ready for commercial release.

Concept Development and Batch Production

A metal and wood prototype of the Tei lamp shown on a white background.

With my team's design being selected for development, my role in the project grew. Developing and refining the design was my top priority; however, maintaining good communication and time management were more important than ever.

Close-up view of a perforated metal prototype component resting on a workbench with tools.

Multiple stacked wooden bases for the 'Tei' lamp prototype are visible on a covered workbench.

A collection of curved metal lamp parts are arranged on a sheet of cardboard next to the finished product.

Various components, wood pieces, and metal wiring for the batch-produced Tei lamp are organized in open boxes.

Students examine a metal and wood prototype of the 'Tei' lamp during a design review session.

The manufacturing process relied on multiple machines, with techniques and guidance from our wonderful technicians.

Water jet cutting
CNC
3D Printing
Laser cutting
Wood and metal lathe
Mill
Metal bending
Tapping
Sanding and polishing
Spray painting

Final Design

The finished metal and wood 'Tei' lamp displayed on a wooden base against a white background. — https://bestawards.co.nz/industrial-design/student-academic-industrial-design/bronte-hall-fernandez/tei/

The finished metal and wood lamp, 'Tei', is displayed on a white surface.

The finished metal and wood lamp is displayed next to its brown cardboard retail packaging.

Close-up view of the metal and wood lamp prototype being assembled by hand.

A designer sits at a table reviewing sketches next to the metal and wood Tei lamp prototype.

Exploded view showing metal, wood, and electronic components of the final lamp design.

Close-up view of the metal and wood lamp prototype showing the adjustable arm mechanism.

The lamp’s distinctive form and heterogeneous architecture provide a performative quality to the lamp's adjustment: the push of the adjusting handle, the rotation of a roller across an arc of travel, raising and lowering the lighting element. A curiosity and delight in the transfer of motion is experienced.

The tactility of lamp operation is assisted by materiality. American ash provides a complementary pairing with aluminium extrusions. The components are accentuated by an arc of painted steel, for which three colourways were selected to imbue personality. Steel was used for its weight density to balance the cantilevered light source, with a light aesthetic touch. The light is activated by a button placed just above the handle, thus all contact points are within reach of each other.

Tei is comfortable in its geometric arrangement through careful consideration of line weight and proportion. Inspiration was drawn from graphic design with its two-dimensional layering of form.

A commitment to longevity was part of Tei’s design strategy. Construction is clear to understand and so disassembly for repair is intuitive. This strategy supported economical batch manufacturability, allowing the ability to change out or replace components without rendering the product damaged, or unrecoverable.

Tei

Initial Development

Concept Development and Batch Production

Final Design

Desk

Plant Stand

Belts