Elisabeth

Design Process
In our exploration of emotional durability, our team concentrated on the historical significance of lighting objects and their connections to users. Following several brainstorming sessions that generated a range of concepts, we narrowed our focus to a design that incorporates a weight-based mechanism for movement. To deepen our understanding, we researched traditional candle snuffers, analyzing their shapes, materials, and the emotional responses they evoke in users.

Concept Description
The Elisabeth Lamp is inspired by the aesthetic and functionality of candle snuffers, aiming to evoke a sense of nostalgia. The design integrates a unique mechanism that allows users to physically interact with the lamp, transforming the mundane act of turning it off into a meaningful experience. As the user engages with the lamp, they develop an emotional attachment not only through the act of use but also through its historical significance.

Functionality
The lamp incorporates a mechanism that opens the lampshade when raised, allowing the user to bask in the warm light it emits. To turn off the lamp, the user simply lowers the lampshade onto a golden plate, which activates a switch connected to the rotational mechanism located at the pivotal joint. This interaction creates a sensory experience that evokes the traditional ritual of snuffing a candle.

Materials and Techniques
The Elisabeth Lamp is crafted from high-quality materials, featuring a sleek metal base and a delicately designed lampshade made of powdered-coated aluminum. We utilized die-casting and powdered-coating techniques to achieve precise dimensions and a polished finish, ensuring both durability and aesthetic appeal.

User Experience
While formal user testing was not conducted for this project, the design of the Elisabeth Lamp was developed to demonstrate our understanding of the importance of psychological biases in design. By integrating historical references and engaging mechanisms, we aimed to evoke emotional responses that foster a deeper connection between the user and the lamp. Our design choices were informed by research on how objects can influence emotions and behaviors, ultimately enhancing the user experience through thoughtful interaction. The effectiveness of our approach was validated by the jury during the final presentation.

Conclusion
Working on the Elisabeth Lamp project deepened my understanding of how design can create emotional connections through historical references and user interaction. This experience highlighted the significance of emotional durability in product design and demonstrated how thoughtful mechanics can enhance user experience. Additionally, it complemented the knowledge I gained in the Human Factors course I completed.