Base
Base is an interdisciplinary and international collaborative effort between three universities and the outdoor athletic company Black Diamond. The purpose of this project was to develop a new lighting solution for Black Diamond that would expand their brand to include a greater variety of users.
Team Members
Industrial Design
Logan Price
Taybor Alplanalp
Garrett Hazen
Ben Reneer
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Godswill Udo
Pei-Yun Chen
Product Design
Emese Fellegi
Brand Sponsor
Image courtesy of Black Diamond
Black Diamond is a global leader in producing products for extreme sports athletes. This focus on producing the very best equipment means that Black Diamond products are often used for less extreme outdoor adventures, especially their illumination products. Our team was sponsored by Black Diamond to explore future outdoor illumination products, while simultaneously expanding the Black Diamond brand to a wider audience.
Brand Values
Research into Black Diamond’s brand allowed us to narrow in on three values that are most important to both the Black Diamond company and their consumers.
-Discovery Through Disconnection -
-Pushing Personal Limits -
-Accomplishment Through Collaboration-
User Insights
“Sometimes we have a few different lanterns hanging up around camp… it makes me feel like I’m at home.”
“[I’m] always with a group. Half the fun is the sport, the other half is enjoying it with people.”
Social Illumination
From consumer interviews we determined that a necessary part of the modern outdoor experience is social interactions. From this we concluded that a product that could help facilitate this interaction using light could distinguish our product in the market.
Concept Ideation
Concept Prototyping
Most of the final concept was developed using physical models and prototypes. Various materials were used including paper, fabric, foam, plastic sheeting, etc. Processes like sewing, laser cutting, 3-D printing, and origami were also used.
Final Concept
Base
The Base lantern is a flat-pack light made of rip-stop nylon and aluminum frame, and has magnetic tabs that allow for quick assembly. Base is also reminiscent of traditional camping tents, and provides a feeling of warmth and home by using filtered warm lighting.
Glowing Tent
We found the image of a glowing tent to be representative of all the aspects we were trying to accomplish in a product. It is home, warmth, and safety while in the outdoors.
Social Lighting
Often multiple tents can bee seen lit up in one place. Representative of not just a home, but a community.
Social Lighting
The Base lantern can replicate that feeling of community. Using the magnetic tabs, multiple lanterns can be combined to create a community light and gathering place. This invites individuals to come together and share their light.
Final Prototype
Once our concept was fully developed, we met with members of our international team to produce four working final prototypes. They were made using water-jet-cut aluminum frames, rip-stop nylon skin, and 3-D printed housings. We also were able to install working lights that allowed for full operation.
