Reverse Engineering Case Study – Mayday Lamp
Designer
Konstantin Grcic for Flos
Role
UX Researcher & Product Designer
Project Overview
This project focuses on observing and analyzing the design of the Mayday Lamp by Konstantin Grcic and attempting to recreate it from scratch. Through this process, I explored its form, functionality, materials, and usability to gain deeper insights into its design principles and potential areas for enhancement.
What’s the Problem?
Understanding how a well-designed product is constructed and functions is essential for learning and innovation. By studying and recreating the Mayday Lamp, this project aimed to:
Analyze its structure and usability to understand why it works well.
Explore the relationship between form and function in a practical lighting solution.
Identify opportunities for material efficiency and design improvements.
Central Objective:
Observe and deconstruct the Mayday Lamp’s design to reconstruct a prototype based on my own understanding, focusing on usability, materials, and structural components.
Research & Analysis
Observing & Understanding the Design:
The lamp features a conical shade, an integrated ergonomic handle, and a long electrical cord wrapped around the handle for storage.
Its design allows for multiple uses—it can be carried, hung, or placed on a flat surface.
Material Exploration:
Shade & Handle: Made of injection-molded polypropylene, which is lightweight and durable.
Cord: A rubber-coated cable ensures flexibility and resilience.
Socket: Uses a standard E26/E27 socket, making it compatible with various bulbs.
Usability Observations:
The ergonomic handle makes it easy to carry and hang.
The built-in cord wrap prevents tangling and enhances portability.
The conical shade diffuses light effectively, providing even illumination for various environments like workshops, outdoor areas, and home settings.
Solution – Recreating the Mayday Lamp
Breaking Down the Components:
I carefully analyzed the lamp’s structure and proportions to understand how each part contributed to its function.
3D Sketching & Prototyping:
I used Autodesk Fusion 360 to create a digital model of the lamp based on my observations.
A physical prototype was developed using 3D-printed PLA for the shade and handle, combined with an off-the-shelf electrical cord and socket.
Testing & Refinements:
I tested the prototype’s usability and stability, making adjustments to:
Refine the handle’s grip for better ergonomics.
Optimize the shade’s thickness for improved light diffusion.
Key Insights & Learnings
Understanding Design Efficiency:
The Mayday Lamp balances practicality and simplicity, making it highly adaptable.
Its modular design makes it easy to maintain, and alternative materials could enhance sustainability.
Material Considerations:
Exploring eco-friendly materials such as bio-based plastics could make the design more sustainable.
The electrical cord must be highly durable due to frequent handling.
Potential Design Enhancements:
A rechargeable, cordless version could increase its versatility.
Textured grips on the handle could improve user comfort.
Conclusion
Recreating the Mayday Lamp from observation provided valuable insights into how design choices impact usability, material selection, and functionality. This process reinforced the importance of simplicity, adaptability, and efficiency in product design, offering inspiration for future lighting solutions.
