Paper Light

by Eddy Zhang

Project Description

While there has been an increase in environmentally conscious thinking among consumers, there is still an “intention-action” gap, where purchase choices from consumers don’t align with their sustainable ideologies. Design choices have the potential to leverage the factors that influence consumers to bridge this gap and promote sustainable consumption. My project, Paper Light, explores how to incorporate research into design to improve consumer purchase intentions. Insights about reflecting the story/history of the material in the product and supporting users’ capacity for self-expression and sustainable design choices were key influences that were carried into the final product. The use of recycled paper pulp as a material for consumer products was explored.

The final design was a light created with recycled paper waste that can be used as a desk lamp or disassembled to become a pendant light. In line with the research into factors influencing consumer purchase intentions, the light was designed to convey the story behind the material, using recognisable aesthetic cues to connect the light to the paper waste material it is made from. This is conveyed through the torn paper lining the inside of the body, the stab binding, and the paper clip that joins bodies together. Inspired by traditional Japanese stab binding, the process is applied here to hold the components of the light together. It can be undone and rethreaded into alternate patterns. Adhering to sustainable design practices, no dissimilar materials are joined together, disassembly is accessible, and everything can be taken apart without the use of tools.

The Paper Light as a pendant lamp with the light turned on

The Paper Light as a desk lamp with the light turned on

Depending on the type of paper recycled, it results in different aesthetics of the moulded paper pulp pieces.

Bio

Eddy is an emerging designer focused on using process oriented methodology to make the best of problem spaces. He enjoys developing and exploring ideas through ideation, prototyping, research and experimentation, to deliver products that are functional, aesthetic, detail oriented and offer a high quality experience. He enjoys challenging his skills to continue to develop his design practice and create better designed products and experiences.

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2023 bachelor index