CHLOE HODGINS
SHOJI LAMP
PRODUCT DESIGN
Designing a functioning lantern lamp inspired by Japanese shoji screens
IDEATION & ANALYSIS
At this point, the chosen design was assumed to be mid-high difficulty due to its many parts and each part having to fit together.
Edges would need to be angled to fit next to each other (approx. 60 degrees - therefore requiring sanding). Paper would be positioned in front of cutout art designs to create silhouettes. Additionally, acrylic providing a "glass look" was considered in this step: the longer wood frame surrounding the cutout art would align with the top and bottom acrylic , allowing light to shine through the acrylic. The main material, wood, adhered to the constraints and the overall theme (Asia/shoji).
PROTOTYPING
ASSEMBLY & FINAL DESIGN
Sketch #1
Sketch #2
Sketch #3
Sketch #4
PROJECT SCHEDULE - USING A GANTT CHART
MOODBOARD
CONCEPT SKETCHING
Pros
-Easy to create as the only materials are wood and acrylic
-Simple but classy looking base
-Design is simply scored onto acrylic (less time required compared to painting)
-Thoughtful space for LED light
Cons
-Won’t provide room with much light
-Pieces do not "fit" together (tab and slot), but instead rely completely on glue
Pros
-Light through paper is aesthetically pleasing
-Simple but classy looking base
-Design can be easily laser cut into paper
-Allows for an 'artistic' design
Cons
-The frame would need divots on the iner sides to hold each paper layer in place
-Uneven distribution of light - LED light will be brighter at one part of the lamp
-Many layers requires more paper surface area (may prove difficult to adhere to restraints)
Pros
-Pillars are strong so the lamp will be sturdy
-Pillars are aesthetically pleasing
-Wood top allows for an engraving addition to the design
Cons
-3d modelling and concrete is time consuming
-Light going through paper could hurt eyes if looked at straight-on
-Heavy
Pros
-Provides the room with soft lighting
-Allows for much creativity ("shadow scenes" and stained glass)
-Pieces fit together therefore are more secure than if they were simply put together with glue
Cons
-Does not provide the room with much light
-Light will need to be glued on as it does not have its own small space to fit into
-More work (could be problematic due to time constraints)
CHOSEN SKETCH RATIONALE AND CONSIDERATIONS
(Sketch #4)
3D CAD MODEL IN FUSION360
PROTOTYPE / INITIAL CUTOUTS
Light testing
(with battery-powered LED)
Paper screen material testing
(baking sheet parchment paper (left) vs A4 printing paper (right)
PROJECT DETAILS
Tools
Autodesk Fusion360, Revit, OMTech Laser Cutter
Role
Product Designer
Time Duration
3 Weeks
Design a fully-functioning lamp. After conducting research, choose one of 3-6 design sketches to prototype using CAD software. Create a plan to complete the entire design process with the use of a gantt chart.
Maximum amount of total materials used:
500 mm x 300 mm
75% of the material min - wood
25% of the material (optional) - acrylic
CHALLENGE
CONSTRAINTS
© Chloe Hodgins - 2025