What it does
A multi-functional table lamp is designed by imitating the form of an elephant. It can not only be adjusted at will according to the brightness but also allows you to pull out a flashlight for emergency use during a power outage.
Your inspiration
As I have an extreme passion for elephants, after observing their behaviors and lifestyles, I noticed that when an elephant stretches its trunk, it resembles a lamp post. After getting acquainted with the famous industrial artist Liu Zhongzhi's work, the Elephant Chair, I thought it would be a great idea to combine the characteristics of both. To achieve the combination of form and function, I came up with the concept of controlling the number of illuminated segments of the lamp by sliding one's hand on it.
How it works
The work uses an elephant's trunk as the lamp post and mimics its patterns for the lamp switch. The switch is touch - operated. A single - click touch can change the brightness of the lamp. However, sliding your hand from the bottom upwards can change the number of illuminated segments of the lamp. The flashlight is located beneath the lamp base. To use it, you need to press the flashlight upwards with your hand to disengage it from the charging state and make it pop out. Then, turn on the switch of the flashlight, and it will light up, allowing you to use it.
Design process
The initial design of this lamp was a simple three - dimensional frustum, which resembled an elephant's trunk. However, this design was rather monotonous. So, I started to conduct extensive research. Inspired by an elephant - themed chair, I abstracted the elephant's legs into three parts to form the lamp base. After finalizing the lamp base design, when I observed an elephant spraying water upwards, I got the idea of creating an umbrella - shaped lamp cap for the lamp. This cap mimics the effect of an elephant spraying water upwards. Having a unique form is not enough; the functionality also needs to be comprehensive. Simply turning the lamp on and off couldn't fully showcase the slender form of the lamp post. Therefore, I came up with the concept of using the degree of hand - sliding to control the number of illuminated segments on the lamp post. Finally, I considered the emergency situation. I decided to combine a flashlight with the table lamp so that the flashlight can be pulled out during emergencies.
How it is different
There are three main differences between my design and others: Unique Biomimetic Design: I drew inspiration from the distinctive form of an elephant. By carefully observing the elephant's physical features, I've incorporated its unique silhouette and characteristics into the lamp's design. For example, the overall shape of the lamp may mimic the curvature of an elephant's trunk, or the structure might resemble the stance of an elephant, which gives the lamp a one - of - a - kind aesthetic. Innovative Switch Control: The switch of my lamp has a special function. When you slide your hand upwards on the switch, it can control the number of lighting segments that light up. This provides users with more flexibility in adjusting the lighting according to different needs. For instance, if you only need a soft and dim light, you can slide the switch a little bit, and only a few segments of the lamp will light up.
Future plans
1. Prototype optimization: Build a physical prototype based on existing design. Test structural stability of the bionic elephant shape (material selection, center-of-gravity balance), sliding switch sensitivity, smoothness of brightness adjustment. Ensure seamless switching between flashlight and table-lamp modes. 2. Function refinement: Add details like color temperature adjustment (warm/cold light for different scenarios), battery life tests (determine capacity or charging solutions), and safety features (anti-drop, anti-overheating).
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