Ekaterina Tomilov
CalmStone
4TH YEAR PROJECT | 3 MONTHS
CalmStone is a lighting solution designed for individuals looking to enhance wellness in their personal spaces through the use of natural elements and light.
Lighting Solution | Material Exploration | 3D Printing | Sustainable Design
Design Brief​
Develop a unique Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that emphasizes sustainability, partners with local manufacturers, and clearly defines your brand and its offerings in relation to competitors.
Research: Market
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Industry Solutions
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Initial Ideation
The size was too small to produce enough light or mimic a real riverstone, requiring an increase in size.
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The asymmetrical shape caused tipping when stones were stacked.
The user cycle was explored to understand how the stones would charge and operate both individually and collectively.
Explored lighting options: fairy lights, LED, and warm vs. cool vs. colored white.
Concept Development
Charging Prototyping Exploration
Wireless Charging: Initially considering induction charging, but its large surface area interfered with the light. Magnetic POGO pins were chosen instead for their small size and magnetic feature, ensuring easy, secure connection and stacking.
Switch Prototyping Exploration
Exploring electronic components, switch mechanism and charging to provide seamless user interaction.
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Floppy battery was used to prove the concept of Reed Switch for turning the LEDs on/off.
Lighting Prototyping Exploration Continuation
Testing battery voltage to ensure sufficient lighting for both daytime and nighttime visibility.
Materials, Manufacturing & Sustainability Prototyping Exploration
PLA and 3D Printing
PLA: Tested clear and white PLA for the top shell, with white providing better light diffusion. Adjusted hinge mechanisms, shell thickness, color, and printing orientation for a smooth finish and secure fit.
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White PLA was used for the 2mm upper shell, needing finishing. Marble PLA suits a more affordable bottom shell.
PPLA and recycled bottle caps offer vibrant color options.
Ceramic and Moulding
Ceramic (Clay): A 3D-printed mold with shrinkage allowance worked well, and the ceramic shell was successfully joined with a 3D-printed, glued connector.
Eggshell Ceramic: Molding failed due to incorrect component ratios but has potential for refinement.
The bottom shell can be slip-cast or molded at 4-6mm thickness, with finishes like whitewash or natural glaze for diverse textures.
Higher-quality options include using stone, or eggshell ceramics to enhance the natural, earthy aesthetic.
Felt and Steam Wrapping
Felt: Used steam to wrap thin felt pieces of varying thickness over the shell, ensuring a snug fit on the curved surface.
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Can be applied in earthy tones to cover the PLA plastic shell for the bottom, adding a natural touch.
Wood and CNC
Solid Wood: CNC-machined the base, though the shell's thickness posed challenges. Future manufacturing will focus on CNC machining only the exterior surface.
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The bottom piece is CNC-machined to 4-6mm thickness, housing electronics. It can be stained or oiled for a natural finish, with various hardwood combinations for different textures and colors.
All materials are recyclable or naturally degrade when exposed to the elements. They can be sourced locally or produced in small quantities initially.
Final Concept
Tranquilight Solutions incorporates natural elements, to create simple, atmospheric lighting that enhances spaces with both tactile and visual appeal. Focusing on simplicity, it seamlessly integrates technology into the design, ensuring the products blend effortlessly into the space.
Committed to sustainability, the brand uses recycled and eco-friendly materials to deliver its tranquil lighting solutions.
Atmospheric, calm lighting
Modular lighting system
Simple product flip switch for on/off switch
Wireless, secure magnetic
contact charging
C type charger base
Powered by 3 rechargable AAA batteries
Made out of sustainable materials, Finishing variabilit
