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OXO Lantern
2024 | 5 Weeks | Studio-winning Design
Prompt: Design a portable light that reflects OXO’s brand, customer needs and values.
How we interact with portable lights today is different that how we used them 10 years ago. Battery technology, phone flashlights, and modern working habits all affects our current relationship with lighting.
What are current problems with portable lighting?
Finding out what matters most
User Interviews
After interviewing 11 people about how they use portable lights,
there loomed 3 common threads...
Versatility
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Ben F. loves that he could also use lanterns as a flashlight.
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Max N. doesn't like lanterns because they have no directional lighting.
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Danbee S. wishes there was a bike light that could turn into a handheld flashlight.
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Marc S. likes that he can use a tripod light's legs as a handle for portable lighting.
Hands-free Use
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Judah F. often does work with two hands and needs a light he can attach to things.
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Netanel S. wants a wristband flashlight to exist so he can use both his hands while lighting an area.
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Marc S. likes headlamps because of their hands-free nature.
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Sam W. likes the hands-free nature of book lights.
Socially Conscientious
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Kyler O. wishes there was a way to light large areas at small outdoor events: "surround sound for light."
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Marc S. and Danbee S. often need several portable lights at campsites since individuals simultaneously use them for different activities.
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Max N. likes the hands-free nature of headlamps, but dislikes that they blind people in social settings.
Market Analysis
The Market's Solutions
Under the lens of the same three categories from my interviews, I sought to find relevant past solutions in order to identify opportunities for new ones.
Versatility
Versatile through types of lighting and usage in multiple contexts
Hands-free Use
Features that keep your are illuminated and your hands free
Socially Conscientious
Features that encourage sharing and social behaviors
Ideation
In the Pursuit of a Boundary-blurring Solution
While exploring ideas, I had the end goal of finding a solution that addresses all three categories.
Versatility
Hands-free Use
Socially Conscientious
Driving Form Through Feeling + Brand
Each part of the lantern has to feel great in the hand and fit into OXO's visual brand language.
'S' Curve
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Prevents fingers from covering the front LEDs
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Utilizes OXO's characteristic shoulder
Convex 'C' Curve
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Encourages the fingers to cover the front LEDs
Concave 'C' Curve
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Uncomfortable for fingers to grasp onto
Carefree Constant Control
Each 'light puck' is easily controlled with an intuitive central button.
A centrally-located button lets you always know where it is no matter how you hold the object.
Successful charging alignment every time with two sets of pogo pins.
Central light disallows for central user interface.
Hands-free in an Instance
Belt Method
Forces user to make a decision
Hook Method
Allows for less precise control and fewer decisions
The silicone strap can be tethered to and hung on to a plethora of objects.
Clean + Confident Texture
The embossed ridges on the pucks' diffusers prevents slipping when operating the twist lock.
Deboss 01
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Visually overwhelming
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Deboss acts as dirt trap
Deboss 02
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Deboss acts as dirt trap
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Deboss acts as dirt trap
Emboss 01
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Ridge every 60 degrees aligns with twist-lock rotation
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Adds to the 'friendly precision' language
Using Familiarity to Build Trust
The lantern's USB-C powered charging base pays homage to a classic's silhouette.
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Visually grounded
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Evokes a sense of familiarity when compared to a classic Coleman lantern
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Feels easier to tip over
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Too organic for OXO's design language
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