setting the scene

The United States wastes over half of its energy, causing unnecessary air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and consumer energy costs.

What's causing the problem?

Light switches are easily forgotten.

Establishing design criteria

How can the design of a light switch grab the user's attention and remind them to turn it off?

Establishing some details

I created an inspiration board to describe the switch's details while ideating. I focused on larger shapes, designated grip spaces, surface texture, and machined hardwoods.

Ideation

While ideating, I focused on the idea of a reveal, where actuating the switch exposes a different color or texture to remind the user that the light is on.

I also developed the mechanism, which was a much more straightforward process of making minor changes until satisfying slider smoothness and audible feedback were reached.

Understanding the mechanism

The switch press fits onto the mechanism through a hole in the backplate and can be easily taken off to repair or replace parts as needed.

The backplate is a 3" x 3" square that covers standard sized outlet boxes.

Material Selection

The switch has a larger surface area and a defined ridge that afford various types of interaction such as an elbow bump or shoulder slide.

When actuated, the switch clicks to provide satisfying audible feedback and moves with the user in the same direction of travel. The exposed backplate creates a visual disruption that later reminds the user of the switch's position.

Materials and Finishes

The switch and backplate can be made of various materials to fit different wants or needs. A red backplate would create a more striking visual cue, machined wood would match the furniture in a home, and recycled plastics would create unique patterning.

Reflection

This project helped me develop many visualization skills from rendering various materials to photoshopping scenes with different lighting environments.