Origami Lighting
Overview
In this project, we were tasked to design and produce an Art Deco-inspired lighting using origami. The challenge lay in the limitations imposed, adhesive tools were not allowed, and we could only use folds to assemble the origami lighting. This required us to carefully design our lighting fixture, taking into account how the folds would work together, the structure, the functionality, and the aesthetic appeal. Following elements from the Art Deco style, which was characterized by its geometric shapes, streamlined forms, bold colors, and sleek materials, our goal was to capture the essence of this era in our origami lighting design.
Final Concept
Our final design is a versatile lighting fixture that can function as a wall sconce or a table lamp. The design features a flow of geometric origami where the light mainly shines through. It also includes two tinted glass panels, offering dimmer lighting, and a wooden framing. The repeated geometric shape of the origami reflects Art Deco's unvaried repetition of elements, while the blue and red of the floral ornament demonstrate the use of bold colors during the era.
Materials and Components
Exploded View
Technical Drawing
The origami is made of clear mylar sheets, resembling the use of glass, which was a common material during the Art Deco era. Two panels, located in the top left and bottom right corners, are made of tinted acrylic, offering a softer lighting effect. This design makes the origami pattern appear brighter and more prominent. The fixture is elegantly framed with wood, another material used during the Art Deco period, adding a natural touch to its overall appearance. We integrated a translucent acrylic sheet in the back of the frame, diffusing the light more evenly. The light tube was installed behind the acrylic sheet to provide light for the fixture.
Next time we would tint the two acrylic panels darker for a dimmer lighting effect, and use LED light strips to diffuse the light more evenly, replacing the conventional light tube.
Front View of Final Product
Back View of Final Product
Development
After exploring many ideas and refining our concepts through multiple iterations, we were able to finalize our design. The entire process involved making many sketches and small adjustments at each step, as illustrated above.
During the making of our product, we had to improvise with the materials we had. For example, the clear mylar was not available in our required size, we had to cut it into smaller pieces in order to fold our origami. Similarly, we had to cut the acrylics and wood to fit our design specifications.
In collaboration with John Driscoll, all sketches and developments posted are my work.