TASK 2 | RESEARCH
TASK 2 | RESEARCH
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TASK 1: EXISTING PRODUCT ANALYSIS
This is a group discussion + share task
Task Overview
Your group will act as a team of product designers and engineers. Your mission is to analyse at least two different lamps or lights from a design and manufacturing perspective. You'll examine each product closely to identify its materials, discuss the manufacturing methods likely used to create its components, and consider how these choices affect the product's function, cost, and appearance.
Instructions.
Instructions.
Step 1: Product Selection and Observation
Spend some time observing it from every angle.
Discuss your initial thoughts as a group. How does it feel? What does it look like? What does it seem to be made of?
Look for things like seams, joints, textures, and finishes.
Step 2: Material Identification
Identify all the different materials used. Be as specific as you can.
Make a note of the different components of the product and the materials it's made from. For example:
Main body/stand
Shade
Light source
Step 3: Manufacturing Methods Analysis
Based on your material identification, discuss and hypothesise the manufacturing processes used for the product.
Think about the characteristics of the part and how it was likely made. For example:
Was the card shade likely laser cut or cut by hand?
Is the wooden base likely turned on a lathe or cut from a flat piece of wood?
How were the different pieces joined together? Was it with screws, glue, or another method?
Step 4: Present Your Findings
Share your findings when asked using following questions for each lamp:
TASK 2: INSPIRATIONAL MOOD BOARD
Explore another culture for design inspiration.
Include iconic images and patterns.
Create an inspiring mood board with visual elements.
Focus on cultural significance and aesthetic appeal.
Annotate the images to explain what may be inspirational/useful and why/how
TASK 3: CLIENT-SPECIFIC RESEARCH
First.
Determine whether you are focusing on the intercultural peace option or the inner peace option and complete the appropriate slide. Delete the other.
Ask your chosen persona structured questions to complete this slide. Consider what you need to know to best design a product to meet their needs.
Next.
Complete the materials & manufacturing portfolio slide
You could also speak with your digital persona (if chosen) here, too.
Note: the 'ethical check' forms assessment for the peace section of the assessment rubric.
Materials available.
Pine wood
Plywood
PLA (3D printing)
Shoji paper
Acrylic plastic sheets (coloured and clear)
PVC sheets (white)
Wooden dowels
Mounting card
Bendy plywood
Corrugated card
Foam board
TASK 4: PROJECT-SPECIFIC RESEARCH
"The portfolio slides for this task are a guide. You may create your own slides so long as you are fully investigating the opportunities and demands of your chosen area."
You do not need to WRITE for this section, you may also:
Record findings (notes, sketches, images).
Annotated sketches
Photos/screenshots of inspirations
It is advised that you:
Annotate inspirations.
Reflect on how each part of the research will influence your design choices.
Written notes
RESEARCH GUIDANCE FOR CULTURE
RESEARCH GUIDANCE FOR CULTURE
1. Contextual Understanding
1. Contextual Understanding
What culture are you exploring? Why did you choose it?
What role does light (natural or artificial) play in this culture (e.g., festivals, rituals, daily life, architecture)?
Are there visual, material, or symbolic elements that are associated with lighting in this culture?
How can you represent these elements respectfully, avoiding stereotypes or appropriation?
2. User Insights & Sensitivity
How does this culture define beauty, peace, or togetherness in design
What materials are traditionally used in cultural crafts or lamps? Are they sustainable and replicable in your design?
How can you ensure the design is a celebration rather than an appropriation? (Think: collaborating, referencing sources, showing respect in documentation.)
Precedent Study (Inspiration + Analysis)
Precedent Study (Inspiration + Analysis)
Find 3–5 examples of existing lamps or lighting designs relevant to your option.
For each, ask:
Who designed it and what inspired them?
What materials and technologies are used?
How does it reflect a culture or promote wellbeing?
What can I learn from this example (to adapt, not copy)?
4. Materials & Making Considerations
4. Materials & Making Considerations
Which materials will help express the cultural or wellbeing narrative?
Are these materials accessible, safe, and environmentally friendly
How will light interact with these materials (diffuse, reflect, glow)?
How will the scale, structure, and joinery affect usability?
5. Reflection & Ethical Check
5. Reflection & Ethical Check
Does my design show respect for the culture/persona I researched?
Am I avoiding stereotypes, clichés, or tokenistic use of symbols?
Will my design genuinely improve the user’s sense of peace or connection?
How might others (outside the culture or persona) perceive my lamp?
RESEARCH GUIDANCE FOR WELLBEING
RESEARCH GUIDANCE FOR WELLBEING
1. Contextual Understanding
1. Contextual Understanding
Who is your chosen client persona (age, lifestyle, wellbeing needs)?
What wellbeing challenge(s) do they face (e.g., stress, anxiety, lack of focus, difficulty sleeping)?
How can lighting scientifically or emotionally support this need (e.g., warm vs. cool tones, circadian rhythm, mood lighting)?
What existing lighting solutions already support wellbeing? What could you do differently?
2. User Insights & Sensitivity
2. User Insights & Sensitivity
Interview or imagine daily scenarios of your persona: When, where, and how would they use your lamp?
How could the form (shape, material, texture) contribute to comfort or calmness?
What lighting features would genuinely help (dimming, color shifting, portability, softness of materials)?
Precedent Study (Inspiration + Analysis)
Precedent Study (Inspiration + Analysis)
Find 3–5 examples of existing lamps or lighting designs relevant to your option.
For each, ask:
Who designed it and what inspired them?
What materials and technologies are used?
How does it reflect a culture or promote wellbeing?
What can I learn from this example (to adapt, not copy)?
4. Materials & Making Considerations
4. Materials & Making Considerations
Which materials will help express the cultural or wellbeing narrative?
Are these materials accessible, safe, and environmentally friendly
How will light interact with these materials (diffuse, reflect, glow)?
How will the scale, structure, and joinery affect usability?
5. Reflection & Ethical Check
5. Reflection & Ethical Check
Does my design show respect for the culture/persona I researched
Am I avoiding stereotypes, clichés, or tokenistic use of symbols?
Will my design genuinely improve the user’s sense of peace or connection?
How might others (outside the culture or persona) perceive my lamp?
KEY WORDS
(click to drop)
KEY WORDS
(click to drop)
Analysis - A detailed examination of products to understand how they work, how they’re made, and why certain design or material choices were made.
Materials - The physical substances used to make a product (e.g., wood, acrylic, paper, PLA). In design, materials influence appearance, cost, sustainability, and light quality.
Manufacturing Methods - The processes or techniques used to produce parts of a design, such as laser cutting, 3D printing, or wood turning.
Cultural Inspiration - Drawing ideas, patterns, and aesthetics from a specific culture to inform design choices, while showing respect and understanding of its meaning
Wellbeing - A state of comfort, health, or happiness. In lighting design, this may mean creating lamps that reduce stress or promote calmness.
Mood Board - A collection of images, colours, textures, and words that visually communicate the mood, style, and inspiration behind a design concept.
Persona - A fictional but realistic representation of a user or client that helps designers understand their needs, preferences, and behaviours.
Ethical Design - The practice of designing responsibly—showing cultural respect, avoiding stereotypes, and considering the environmental and social impact of the product.
Precedent Study - Researching existing designs or products to learn from their ideas, materials, and functions, and to adapt—not copy—them.
Reflection - The process of thinking critically about your research and design choices to understand how they influence your project outcomes.
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