An Exploration Into Human Interaction

The goal for this project was to explore how a product can respond to human behavior and express the interaction through programmed LEDs. I wanted to combine a playful form with an intelligent internal system, so the lamp keeps track of your phone placement, rewarding you for putting it away by illuminating your workspace. In addition, I wanted to push further into prototyping and programming than I had done before, developing a product that felt resolved.

Identifying The Problem

I found myself reaching for my phone constantly while trying to work — not out of need, but because it was within reach. I wanted a product that removed that temptation physically, not through willpower or app blockers.

The Distraction LoopA typical work session with a phone
Sit down at desk to begin work
Get distracted on phone
Place phone behind computer
PAIN POINTNo designatedplace for my phone
Begin working without distractions
Focus session begins
Pick up phone
PAIN POINTIt's too easy topick the phone upand get distracted
Get distracted again
Leave
Click "Pick up phone" to see the loop break
The Distraction LoopA typical work session with a phone
Sit down at desk to begin work
Get distracted on phone
Place phone behind computer
PAIN POINTNo designatedplace for my phone
Begin working without distractions
Focus session begins
Pick up phone
PAIN POINTIt's too easy topick the phone upand get distracted
Get distracted again
Leave
Click "Pick up phone" to see the loop break

Curating A FlowChart

To translate the lamp into a seamless experience, I mapped the interaction loops between the user and device.

Research

I surveyed 36 people about how their phones affect their focus. 61% lose an hour or more a day to phone distractions, and 53% say the mere presence of their phone pulls them away. This inspired a lamp that rewards keeping the phone out of reach, and encourages a better workflow.

Average Phone Usage
61% lose 1 hour or more a day
Phone Presence
53% say the mere presence of their phone pulls them away often or constantly
3%
0%
44%
42%
11%
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Constantly

Image Boards

I used image boards for both formal and textural inspiration.

Sketches

After Constructing my mood boards, I started ideating dozens of sketches.

Storyboard

Finalized Form +Function

Modeling + Render

I worked through how the internal electronics, including the Qi charging circuitry, would nest inside the lamp’s hollow form while keeping the silhouette clean. Then I rendered in KeyShot and used Vizcom for a render in context.

Manufacturing + Programming

With the design finalized, I moved into physical fabrication, 3D printing the lamp body in sections. I integrated the electronics on an Arduino Uno, combining an RGB color sensor, a Qi transmitter, a PIR sensor, and NeoPixel ring lights into a single working system. I also experimented with Claude’s AI-assisted coding tools to improve my coding efficiency.

Working Prototype

GloFlo.

GloFlo.