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Lyse is a small, rechargeable table lamp designed to bring ambient light to the dining experience. It is bright enough to read menus and see your surroundings, but does not overpower your senses at the table. Lyse is an alternative to candles as there are many individuals with asthma, allergies to fragrances and waxes, and similar conditions who may struggle to be around candles for extended periods of time.
This project was displayed at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York in 2025.
my role
Industrial Designer
Metal Fabricator
project
Junior Studio II
timeline
7 Weeks Design
2 Weeks Manufacture
tools
Adobe Suite
Rhino
Metals Shop
BambuLab
Basic Circuitry
recognition
2025 - Selected for ICFF
Background
According to the American Lung Association, there are nearly 25 million Americans who have been diagnosed with asthma alongside the 34.7 million American adults who struggle with chronic lung disease as of 2023.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), recommends that if you or someone you live with has asthma or a similar condition, you should avoid candles, air fresheners, incenses, and other scented products.
Candles and other lights such as oil lamps are many a times a staple in nicer restaurants and cafés, yet they put people with respiratory conditions at an increased risk for an attack or reaction. With more chronic conditions on the rise post-Covid-19, there is a need for safer alternatives to lights that emit irritants.
How can we provide a stylish, ambient alternative to candles for fine dining establishments?
Objectives
Durable and sturdy
Similar ambiance to a candle
Moveable while powered on
Rechargeable
Minimal plastic usage
Constraints
Tabletop size
Large enough to house battery
Bright enough to read menus
Outdoor-friendly materials
lantern-like
contrast
warm
patina
artisan feel
undulating
simple form
Light Behavior Experimentation
Sketching & Development
Functional Mockup
After further sketching and CAD development
Functional mockup
Rhino 3D model
Materials
Materials
Prototype Manufacturing
I built a full working prototype in the final materials over the course of three weeks. I collaborated with BrightBlock Studio in Eugene, OR to handmake the glass portion of the lamp. The rest I fabricated by hand in a metalsmithing studio and a 3D print/electronics studio.
Final Design
Natural materials highlighted with a simple form.
A modern take with intentional analog interaction.
*Not to scale
Lyse was selected by the University of Oregon faculty to be a part of the college's ICFF collection in 2025.
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