Hasta La Ideas

The Autodesk Sustainability Workshop is a free and vast online resource that aims to teach sustainability strategies, from micro to macro. The simple, easily-digestible series of strategy videos, tutorials and case studies can help students, educators, designers, engineers and architects not only learn about sustainability, but how to directly apply it.

Core77 asked 5 students to take it for a test spin, investigating the workshop and using Autodesk software to incorporate what they’d learned in a re-design of a commonplace object. In the second installment of our series of Autodesk Sustainability Workshop projects, we look at Massachusetts-based David Fustino (Wentworth Institute of Technology, Bachelor’s of Industrial Design) and IRIS, his re-design of a desk lamp.

Core77: David, tell us about yourself.

David Faustino: I’m 22 years old, originally from Meriden, Connecticut and currently living in Framingham, Massachusetts.

What made you decide to study industrial design?

I always had a passion for art, particularly drawing and the way things worked. Industrial Design seemed liked the perfect combination.

Where did you decide to study, and why?

I decided to study at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. The Wentworth curriculum requires students to acquire two internships, a semester each, prior to graduation. I knew this was an opportunity to get real-world experience and develop my skills professionally. It broadened my professional network upon graduation and helped me more easily secure an entry-level position.

What areas of industrial design are you interested in focusing on?

I am always open to learning and experiencing different projects and intend on using what I learn in the industry to create a positive impact on the future of design in areas such as energy, transportation, purposeful consumer electronics and essential social needs/necessities.

Tell us about your project, IRIS.

IRIS is a magnetically assembled three-legged desk lamp that structurally displays the LED bulb and elegantly diffuses the light. When I designed this desk lamp at Wentworth, I took many thoughts into consideration such as environmental impact, manufacturing possibilities, alternatives materials, product performance and user interaction.

My Initial Intent/Design:

LED bulbs are structurally adorned with beautiful heatsinks to dissipate heat and are engineered to last up to 46 years. In such a “throw away society” this LED bulb delivers longevity in a market of rapid obsolescence. If a user will use a single bulb for more than three decades, how can the bulb be cherished? IRIS was structurally designed to display this wonderful balance of design & engineering rather than concealing it within a fixture.

A minimal base rises above clutter to co-exist with surroundings and magnets reduce the need for fasteners & hardware. The conically shaped underside lid evenly redirects and diffuses the light toward the users desktop surface. The lid is easily removable to service the bulb below.

Click for full-size images and details.

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