Homegrown:
STUDIO MADE.
In Fall 2023, the “Homegrown” Studio presented the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, in addition to construction and branding of a product.
Through market research, interviews from our target audience, and trend analysis, our team developed coax. In addition to getting the opportunity to work in teams, this studio was also multi-disciplinary across the design school, allowing Industrial Designers to work with Fashion and Communication Design majors.
Meet the Team
Design Objective
Small-batch production to sell.
For this project, the goal was to design and create a piece ready for a pop-up sale at the end of the semester. The process focused on understanding the target audience and defining the mood we wanted to evoke through design, ensuring the final product would be both appealing and meaningful for its users.
Inspiration & Trend Analysis
Research and Development
“Atmospheric, artisan, geometric, soft, fluid.”
Developing a visual tone with creative keywords helped guide where our product wanted to go. Knowing that glowy, atmospheric lighting was gaining popularity through market research, we collected some imagery that could hone in on the target mood.
Concept Development
Interviewees were asked about their first impressions, price point, where each concept would live, and the emotions they felt from the concept. Interviewees were ages 21-31, most who have recently graduated and are looking for newness.
The team developed four refined concepts to bring to interviews to get input from our target audience.
Concept One A curvilinear, translucent light featuring textured materials for dynamic refractions and shadows.
Concept Two A geometric layered lighting piece with warm gold finishes and rich color depth.
Concept Three A large circular light with adjustable translucent layers for creating distinct color combinations and shadows.
This piece garnered a variety of reactions, with the majority expressing positivity. Some noted that it carried felt reminiscent of the 70s.
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Initial Sketches
This idea received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with people expressing keen interest in the interactive element of the lamp.
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Final Directions
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This piece garnered a variety of reactions, with the majority expressing positivity. Some noted that it carried felt reminiscent of the 70s.
Packaging and branding were developed to complement the project for the pop-up, creating a cohesive experience that reflects the design’s aesthetic and communicates its identity to the target audience.
Prototyping and Manufacturing
The prototyping process combined multiple techniques, including vacuum forming, woodworking, sanding, finishing, and dying, to refine form, fit, and surface quality while testing materials and assembly methods.
Packaging Branding, and Information Manual
Planning in CAD and CMF Exploration
CAD modeling and renderings were used to develop and refine the concept, allowing for precise exploration of proportions, connections, and overall form before moving into physical prototyping.
The final product is an interactive lamp designed to create a warm, ambient atmosphere. Its form and functionality invite engagement, blending aesthetics and experience to enhance any space.
