OndaMar

A novel light switch concept inspired by the fluid ocean waves.

Duration: 1 Week

Description: This rapid “warm-up” project involved creating a novel concept for a light switch using inspiration from images of natural elements (of which I chose the “water” prompt). A single week was allotted for the entire process of ideation, modelmaking, and presentation.

Objectives:  Human-Centered Problem Solving → Rapid Sketching/Modeling → Presentation

Play Me!     ♫

Symbolism & Cues

The aim of this project was to capture the essence of the element without being too literal; as such, I started by listing all of water’s most salient qualities. Ocean waves came to be one of the design’s most obvious inspirations, next to Antônio Carlos Jobim’s aptly-named “Wave,” one of my favorite Bossa Nova standards. The resulting light switch concept was a rotating form that bore the following metaphorical cues:

– Organic, soft, curving transitions/surface topography and asymmetry— fluidity

– Overall circularity—water’s cyclic nature

– Tactile striated texture inspired by ripples and bivalve shells (also affords finger placement)

– Alignment of two-dimensional creases to reference different states of water movement 

     – Sharp, turbulent, crested wave—high intensity—ON

     – Smooth, calm, sinusoidal/whiplash curve—low intensity—OFF

-Nuanced swirling edges and rocking motion—swaying rhythms of Bossa Nova & the push/pull of tides

Moving Model

Medium-Density Urethane Foam + White Glue (Desktop Modelling)