revealight, 2015

multi-functional flashlight that opens to show its inner construction
materials and processes: birch plywood, canvas, wood glue, woodworking, LED light strips, insulated wires, batteries and holders, solder, on/off switch, soldering

 

inspired by Patagonia's philosophy of product transparency and nature-inspired communities, i sought to express these shared values in a practical illuminating object, the reveaLIGHT.  

the reveaLIGHT is a flashlight with a unique architecture that unfolds into a small lamp and reveals its internal components.

flashlight mode

flashlight mode

table lamp mode

table lamp mode

inner workings revealed

inner workings revealed

 
inspired from looking at zippers

inspired from looking at zippers

conical concept

conical concept

internal workings and component packaging

internal workings and component packaging

conical concept unzipped

conical concept unzipped

cylindrical cloth-covered concept

cylindrical cloth-covered concept

cylindrical cloth-covered concept unrolled

cylindrical cloth-covered concept unrolled

process: concept sketches

 
 
initial prototype with cardboard

initial prototype with cardboard

10 trapezoidal wooden pieces

10 trapezoidal wooden pieces

laying out the components

laying out the components

testing the LED set-up

testing the LED set-up

10 mini magnets form latch mechanism

10 mini magnets form latch mechanism

soldering wires between LED strips

soldering wires between LED strips

flexible wiring prototype

flexible wiring prototype

glued cloth bands give stiffness + stretch

glued cloth bands give stiffness + stretch

electrical components fully installed

electrical components fully installed

process: prototypes and fabrication

 
(this photo thanks to dickson chow)

(this photo thanks to dickson chow)