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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


The best lighting solution for everyday dining in the Nordic countries

Author

Term

4. Term

Education

Publication year

2019

Submitted on

Pages

143

Abstract

Specialet undersøger, hvordan man designer et armatur (lampe) til spiseområdet, som både afspejler nordisk designkultur og fungerer i hverdagen. Hovedspørgsmålet er: Hvad er den bedste belysningsløsning til almindelige borgeres spiseområde i de nordiske lande? For at besvare det kombinerer studiet litteraturgennemgang og casestudier med en iterativ designproces inspireret af Bill Buxtons metode med skitsering og prototyper. I løbet af projektet blev der udviklet fire skitser og to funktionsdygtige prototyper. Disse blev vurderet sammen med eksisterende løsninger ved hjælp af komparativ analyse og tematisering (tema-analyse). Analysen bygger på empiriske data fra ekspertinterview, spørgeskemaer og photovoice-metoden, hvor deltagere bruger fotos til at formidle deres oplevelser. Resultaterne peger på en balanceret løsning, der forener fleksibilitet, funktion og æstetik. Den anbefalede lyssammensætning kombinerer direkte lys med stemningsskabende omgivelseslys og et diskret 'spil af små lysglimt' (play of brilliants), som giver visuel livlighed. Specialet munder ud i et endeligt designforslag, der anvender nordiske, bæredygtige materialer og tilbyder tre fleksible lysscenarier for at opfylde de definerede designkriterier.

This thesis explores how to design a dining-area luminaire (light fixture) that aligns with Nordic design culture while meeting everyday needs. The guiding question is: What is the best lighting solution for the dining area for the general citizen in Nordic countries? To answer it, the study combines a literature review and case studies with an iterative design process inspired by Bill Buxton’s approach to sketching and prototyping. Over the course of the project, four sketches and two functional prototypes were created and evaluated alongside existing solutions using comparative analysis and thematizing (thematic analysis). The analysis draws on empirical data from expert interviews, questionnaires, and a photo-voice method, in which participants use photographs to communicate their experiences. Findings point to a balanced solution that is flexible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. The recommended light composition mixes direct task light with ambient light and a subtle 'play of brilliants'—small sparkling highlights that add visual interest. The thesis proposes a final design that uses Nordic, sustainable materials and offers three flexible lighting scenarios to meet the defined design criteria.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]