Research & Inspiration 

Research - Existing solutions

Below are just a few examples of modern styled table lamps.

Lesson & Homework task 2 - Research inspiration

We would like you to create an inspiration Research web page of images to do with Resin Pouring / table lamps / interesting shapes and forms / inspiring design / inspiring architecture. You will ideally add annotation (text) to explain why you like the images you have selected and how they will inspire you to design. You will use this research Subpage to help inspire you for starting points when you have to produce a range of design ideas for your table lamp. Add all of your images and annotation to your Research page.

For example, I personally really like Santiago Calatrava's 'The Oculus' building in Manhattan, New York. The building, as of many of Calatrava's designs, is influenced by a bird. In this instance it is like a phoenix rising from the ashes and is built by the site of the World Trade towers that were destroyed.

The shapes and cuts in the form inspire me to produce organic (free flowing) sketches. I would need to think how I could design a lamp in this way but perhaps I could add cuts into the base in a similar way.

Using existing images to help you to design

The images below were the original inspiration for the architect Tom Wright who designed the Burj Al Arab landmark hotel in Dubai. This is the world's only 7* hotel. Tom Wright was inspired by the trading sailboats of Dubai and was sitting at the Chicago Beach Hotel cafe, drinking a coffee, when he sketched the original designs in pen on a napkin. He was clearly inspired by the shapes and forms of the sailboats and the design of the Burj Al Arab captured the 'heritage' of Dubai as a trading port and resembles a giant sail. It is an incredible building. 

traditional sail boat

This was the inspiration for the architect who was sat at the cafe looking out to the sea

original pen concept sketch on a napkin

The example below shows inspiration images and then the Development of the final design and a 3D CAD rendering. You can clearly see the inspiration that came from the very curved building image in the top left.

Examples of student's inspiration board images and their final design. You can see the influence from the bedroom interior.

Examples of student's inspiration board images

Images laid out in a structure grid form but include short descriptive text below each image.

Image collage style of designs overlapping. However, text and explanations are missing.

Clear structure to the layout with a wide range of materials and ideas. Text and details are missing.