lanterns | GIZMODO.cz

Outdoor lamps are a dime a dozen, but the vast majority of them come in rather serious and rugged designs. That’s unsurprising considering how most people will probably want a reliable light source that doesn’t require much fuss or fiddling to set up. That, however, doesn’t mean there’s no more room for a pinch of frivolity and whimsy, especially if you’re more interested in adding some luminous accents over actually illuminating your campsite or backyard. That’s the kind of experience that this toy-like lantern is offering, adding an element of fun to outdoor nighttime activities with a simple twist.

Designer: iu Llong (for Havnby)

Camping lanterns, or any lamp designed for outdoor use for that matter, are often rugged and simple to operate. The last thing you want to bother with in the dark of night is fighting with your advanced but complicated lighting solution. Sometimes what you need, however, isn’t just light but entertainment and enjoyment, which the Twist Camping Lantern delivers by turning its function into a more engaging physical activity, almost like a game or a toy.

Inspired by the “gashapon” Japanese vending machines that dispense random capsule-encased toys, this lantern employs a twisting mechanism to not only turn on its light but also change the mood. It’s made of two truncated cones joined at their bases, and each half controls a different aspect of the lighting. Turning one side controls the brightness of the light while the opposite side affects the temperature of the light, from cool white to warm red. Since there are no distinct levels or markers, changing these settings involves a bit of discovery and uncertainty, adding to the excitement that the experience provides.

The capsule-shaped lamp also has another unique element: its hanging clip. The clip can not only hang from hooks or cables but even from poles, as a self-locking mechanism makes it stay in place. This clip is actually also made of two halves magnetically joined at the end, providing an easy way to attach those poles without having to slide the lantern from the top or bottom.

The Twist Camping Lantern’s light might admittedly be too low to illuminate the whole campsite at night, so it’s more of a mood setter than an all-in-one light source. In some cases, however, it might just be enough for the activity, like reading inside a tent or having a backyard party. Its design and mechanism, simple as they might sound, significantly change the image of the lantern from one of utility to one of enjoyment, inviting users to have a little fun underneath the starry skies.

The post Twisting Camping Lantern brings both light and fun to outdoor activities first appeared on Yanko Design.

With the rising interest in camping and other outdoor activities, there is also a rising need for safer and more sustainable solutions to common problems like outdoor lighting, off-grid power, and reliable shelter. There is no shortage of portable power stations now available in the market, and you’ll often come across innovative tent designs that take into account modern needs and conveniences. But when it comes to lighting, most of the products still follow the same old design patterns. Rugged and durable, they definitely are, but they also tend to be lifeless and uninspiring, the complete opposite of what time outdoors is supposed to bring. This lamp concept design tries to make that experience a little bit more fun while still delivering much-needed light, and it takes inspiration from objects that have long been in use, some even hailing back centuries past.

Designer: Yu Dan (0-1 Design Studio)

There are few things that immediately illicit images of spending time outdoors than an old gas lantern. These clunky metal vessels have been used by our ancestors to make the night less daunting and make life more bearable when the light and warmth of the sun are long gone. Of course, this kind of lamp is not only outdated but also dangerous, but we, fortunately, have plenty of technologies available to simulate both the appearance as well as the emotions generated by this artifact of a bygone era.

The camping lantern concept is a modern take on several antiquated lantern designs, both those using kerosene as well as those that employ candles. Instead of these fire hazards, however, it uses rechargeable lights, presumably LEDs, in a circular tube hidden at the bottom and top sections of the lamp. The “cover” of the lamp also takes inspiration from the wide-brimmed hats of ancient swordsmen from East Asian countries, which happens to also be similar to how the traditional gas lanterns look as well.

The effect of having candles is provided by a modular lighting design in the shape of low cylinders that can be stacked on top of each other to increase their brightness. The “candles” can also be used independently, in case you need a softer glow away from the lantern. Both light tubes and candles give off a warm, yellow light that sets the perfect mood at night while also providing enough light for reading. As a bonus, the lantern’s battery can also be used to charge other devices, though care should be taken not to drain it completely before the sun rises again.

Truth be told, the concept is a simple re-imagination of the iconic shape of a gas lamp, but it’s that simplicity that also makes its application and effect more diverse. The form immediately calls to mind the old frontier days portrayed in many TV shows and films, but its functionality is completely immersed in the demands of modern life. Best of all, it makes spending the night outdoors a little bit more interesting if not dramatic, silently keeping you company as you watch the fireflies dance in the darkness.