Portable Outdoor Lighting Series

Client: Gerber

2003

  • Industrial Design
  • Naming

Light Me Up!

Gerber came to FUSE with the problem they wanted to create a line of portable outdoor lights but not include the standard flashlights, headlamps, or microlights.  They were looking for provocateurs (or disrupters if it were today). There was also no restriction on the technology other than it had to be readily available. The latter requirement quick solved itself to be battery powered  LEDs, but the first requirement would take a great deal of collecting of user experience, brainstorming and conceptualization. Fortunately, we are prolific ideaters (if that’s even a word) and we generated over 150 ideas. With Gerber’s help, we winnowed these down to 5 and came up with a common  battery cartridge component that all could  use.

Visually all the designs had a common design language built around a hexogonal shape and all them included some sort of dual or multiple purpose that was reinforced by a physical transformation.  For example the Hornet Micro Lantern could retract its beehive  head into its body and turn into a handheld torch. Also of note is our Hornet Micro Lantern was  ahead of its time. This idea of a small LED based lantern is now more commonplace.

Beyond the concepts, we provided surface models for the exterior control for all products,  created a few proof of concept physical models , conceptually engineered the mechanical details and also helped name the products.

Hornet

A versatile lantern with a diffuser/lens combo that can spread or focus the beam of light.

Flashflood

A flood light that can attach anywhere thanks to its retractable stainless steel tether and magnetic back plate.

Mantis

A carpenter's ruler-inspired light that can clip to the task at hand.

Inferno

Splay out the LED tentacles for area lighting or retract them back into the housing for a directional flashlight.

Family Portrait

Radness
Extreme