Mikono modular table light has an innovative design to lets you carry it around

We all need light in our lives, from the pendant lamps that light up spaces to the desk lamps that let us study or work in dark environments. Of course, we don’t always need kinds of lighting fixtures all the time, and it would probably be a financial and material waste if we bought all sorts of lamps but end up not using them often. For these circumstances, a lamp that can serve different functions in different circumstances would be ideal. Such a multi-functional accessory doesn’t need to be complicated or sophisticated, as shown by this rechargeable and modular table lamp that can split into two when you need to carry your light around with you.

Designer: Moritz Putzier

At first glance, Mikono almost looks like an overgrown flashlight, one that has been propped up on its handle to precariously stand on a flat surface. Unlike a flashlight, however, the light isn’t directed towards a single point only and rather emanates from all sides of the conical part of the lamp. Compared to a stereotypical table lamp, the cone’s orientation is inverted, with its wider end pointing upward instead of its narrow point. It’s definitely an unconventional design, but only because it’s an unconventional lamp as well.

The real lamp is actually just the cone itself, and the base is the Mikono’s wireless charging base. Two pogo pins serve as a conduit between the lamp and the charger, which could raise some concerns about properly positioning the lamp so that those pins align. From the absence of cables, the base presumably carries its own battery and doesn’t have to be plugged into a wall socket to charge the lamp.

The lamp itself is also simple and minimal in its design. The majority of the cone uses a translucent material that diffuses the light that passes through it, but the tip of the cone is made from a different metallic material that houses the electronics. There’s a loop strap at that point as well, and this strap goes into the empty chamber inside the cylindrical charging base. The black circle at the top (or bottom) of the lamp is the on and off switch, which also functions as a four-level dimmer for the light’s intensity.

The idea for the Mikono is that it’s a table lamp most of the time but can easily be a handheld lamp when you need it. You simply separate the two parts and carry the lamp using the strap. Alternatively, you can also hang the lamp off some hook, turning it into a makeshift pendant lamp. This makes Mikono useful not just indoors but especially outdoors, where it can serve as your all-in-one light source for camping and exploring.

One rather interesting detail about the lamp is that it is designed for longevity right from the start. Unlike typical rechargeable lights, Mikono is designed in a way that makes it easy to replace the battery when it becomes defective or dies out. That might not be the same for the five high-power LEDs that light up the lamp, though, which should probably be the next iteration of this modular lamp’s design.

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A modular light fixture inspired by the abacus lets you add, subtract and have fun with your light setup!

Abaculux is a modular light fixture inspired by the abacus, an ancient counting tool used for centuries, allowing users to add and subtract as many light bulbs necessary to achieve that prime lighting.

The abacus is an ancient counting frame tool that can aid in addition, multiplication, subtraction, and division. While they have been used for centuries, abacuses are still made today, often with a bamboo frame and sliding wires stocked with counting beads. Taking inspiration from the ancient mathematical tool, designer Pranjal Uday developed Abaculux, a modular light fixture that takes the same shape as an abacus, allowing users to add and subtract light bulbs however they choose.

The Abaculux is a minimalist light fixture, rising as a single standing rod with a collection of golden light bulbs lining it up and down. Outfitted with a flared trumpet base, Abaculux is bottom-heavy with a steady build that manages to carry multiple light bulbs at once. Uday created Abaculux in part to make the energy consumption of light more apparent by revealing to users how much light they use in a visual presentation they can actually count.

When users want to add a bulb to the electrical rod, they can be slid down and onto the dock where they light up once connected to the pole’s conduction terminals. Following the same method, users can add or subtract however many light bulbs necessary for their preferred lighting. The lightbulbs can also be configured in varying layouts, allowing users to bunch the bulbs at the bottom or appear more spread out over the pole.

Designed for users to witness how much energy they consume when using light fixtures like lamps and LEDs, Pranjal Uday’s Abaculux is a clever reinterpretation of the ancient counting tool we’ve relied on for accurate measurement for centuries. Inspired by the abacus’s shape and design, Abaculux is familiar in appearance but unconventional in design, enhancing its ergonomic build and savvy look.

Designer: Pranjal Uday

Users can either let the light bulbs bunch up at the pole’s bottom or leave them to spread out. 

The conduction terminal gives light to each bulb when connected.

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Meet the Totem lamp that can be used individually or stacked together to light up any space!

Life in a rental apartment has its cons but one thing that comes to my rescue each time is to set up our lighting! Lighting can make or break a space and a modular solution like Totem Lamp is a solution we all need as it presents a modular solution – adaptable to each room we have.

Inspired by the Native American Totem Pole, the Totem Light is made up of individual light modules that can be used together by stacking on top of each other as a floor lamp. The individual modules can be hanged from the ceiling or even used as a table lamp. Made of hand-blown glass, each module of the light carries a unique texture that makes the lamp literally stand out and shine.

The textured glass brings to mind a reflective surface, where the evening lights shimmer gently each night. Minimal, hand-crafted, modular, and functional – the lamp is the perfect lighting solution and the only limitation is your imagination!

Designer: Ren Hongfei for ING+