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
table lamp mode
inner workings revealed
 
inspired from looking at zippers
conical concept
internal workings and component packaging
conical concept unzipped
cylindrical cloth-covered concept
cylindrical cloth-covered concept unrolled

process: concept sketches

 
 
initial prototype with cardboard
10 trapezoidal wooden pieces
laying out the components
testing the LED set-up
10 mini magnets form latch mechanism
soldering wires between LED strips
flexible wiring prototype
glued cloth bands give stiffness + stretch
electrical components fully installed

process: prototypes and fabrication

 
(this photo thanks to dickson chow)