Bloom Lamp | Product Design
The project was based on bionics, made a series of analyzes and morphological studies of the flower, taking into account from its function in nature to the cultural importance that it has in human society. With the existence of flowers that close at night and open at dawn, I decided to develop a lamp and thinking about the structure it would have, I focused on the petals: abstracting his figure and transforming them as a form of the luminous artifact. The key words for the project were protection, subtlety, warm and elegant. After developing several sketchs, I started digital modeling in the Rhinoceros software, using the Grasshopper plug-in. With the modeling ready I started the prototype with a 3D printer. It was necessary to divide the part in half for better execution and efficiency of the prototype. Then the mockups of the project were developed.
FLOWER STRUCTURE STUDIES
The Bloom Lamp project was born from inspiration in bionics, specifically in the structure and functionality of flowers, exploring their morphology and symbolism. Flowers, with their vital role in nature as pollinator attractors, possess a complexity beyond aesthetics: their petals protect the gametes, the most precious element for species reproduction. This process of attraction and protection was one of the key elements guiding the conceptual development of the project. Flowers also have a remarkable characteristic—many close at night and open at dawn, as if interacting with the natural light cycle. This behavior inspired the creation of an artifact that could also reflect this relationship with light, resulting in the choice of a lamp as the final object.
The focus on petals arose naturally, as they are the primary protective elements and, at the same time, subtle and elegant adornments of the flower. The keyword "protect" guided the development, leading to the creation of a luminous enclosure that, like the petals of a flower, gently embraces and shields the light core in a delicate and welcoming way. The concept seeks to convey not only the idea of protection but also the subtle beauty and lightness of organic forms. The choice of fluid and soft lines, combined with a clean and modern aesthetic, aims to capture the balance between the natural and artificial, resulting in a functional, elegant, and timeless artifact. In the morphological studies, a deep analysis of flower structures was conducted, considering their colors, shapes, and functionalities.
In the case of the Bloom Lamp, a white piece was chosen to represent purity and the entirety of the color spectrum, similar to how light reflects on white surfaces. The final shape, abstracted from the petals, allows for a harmonious integration between aesthetics and function, culminating in a design that translates the principles of nature into product design. The creation involved an iterative process of trial and error. Initially, ideas for technological integration, such as solar panels and chargers, were explored but failed to capture the desired essence. After much reflection and deeper studies, the focus consolidated on the lamp, where the concept of the subtlety and functionality of petals became more expressive. From there, the creative process turned towards abstracting natural forms, seeking the perfect balance between design and function.
The 3D modeling process for the Bloom Lamp was essential in transforming the conceptual ideas into a tangible object. Once the sketches were finalized, the digital modeling phase began using Rhinoceros, a highly precise software for complex surfaces.
To handle the intricate geometry inspired by the organic shapes of petals, the Grasshopper plug-in was employed, enabling parametric control over the structure and form. This allowed for flexibility in exploring variations of the model while maintaining the desired balance between fluidity and functionality. The abstraction of the petal structure was central to the design, and the digital tools made it possible to refine the curves, proportions, and interactions between the different components. During the modeling phase, we focused on achieving a clean and cohesive form that would translate the concept of protection and elegance.
The soft, continuous lines that mimic the natural flow of petals were meticulously adjusted in the software, ensuring that the light would diffuse evenly and harmoniously through the final product. Once the model was completed digitally, it was prepared for prototyping using 3D printing. Due to the complex shape and size constraints of the printer, the lamp had to be divided into two parts for optimal fabrication.
This division not only enhanced the efficiency of the printing process but also preserved the design’s integrity. The PLA (Polylactic Acid) filament, chosen for its biodegradability and plant-based origin, was used to create the prototype, offering a balance between sustainability and functionality in the testing phase. The printed prototype provided a clear representation of how the final product would behave, allowing for further adjustments before moving to the final materials and full-scale production.
This iterative process in the 3D modeling phase helped bridge the gap between the initial concept and the physical realization of the Bloom Lamp.
The development of the Bloom Lamp prototype was a crucial step in materializing the concept and testing the feasibility of the designed shapes and functions. With the digital modeling completed, we used 3D printing as the fabrication method, which allowed us to transform the geometric abstractions of the petals into a physical object. The prototype served not only as a visual preview but also as a way to assess the structure, proportions, and functional details of the piece. Due to the complexity of the shape and the limitations of the printer, it was necessary to divide the model into two parts. This division optimized the printing process and ensured better precision in execution.
The material chosen for the prototype was PLA filament (polylactic acid), a plant-based polymer known for being biodegradable and easy to work with in 3D printing processes. In addition to being a sustainable choice, PLA offers good dimensional stability, allowing for the faithful reproduction of the subtle curves and forms of the design. During prototyping, it was possible to evaluate practical aspects of the project, such as the fit of the parts, the diffusion of light through the structure, and the material's durability.
This process allowed for fine adjustments to the original design, ensuring that the final product maintained the delicacy and fluidity of the petals without compromising functionality. The choice of white for the prototype also reflected the intention to represent the purity and simplicity of the object while testing the material's ability to reflect and diffuse light softly and evenly. The prototype was essential for validating the Bloom Lamp concept and refining the details before large-scale production, ensuring that the final piece would stay true to the original project vision, both aesthetically and functionally.
