Empathy: A Floor Lamp That Understands You

Alexey Danilin's Award-Winning Design Marries Function with Emotion

Empathy is not just a floor lamp; it is a testament to the designer's dedication to understanding human interactions with everyday objects. The lamp's unique properties lie in its ability to sense and respond to the presence and movement of individuals, providing an optimal lighting experience without the need for physical contact. This is particularly significant in the context of public health and hygiene, as the lamp's touchless features minimize the spread of germs in public spaces such as hotels and cafes.

The design process for Empathy was rooted in meticulous observation and research. Danilin and his team conducted studies in various environments to understand how people use lighting in their daily lives. The result is a lamp that not only meets practical needs but also resonates with the user on an emotional level. The angular shape of the rebar, which houses the motion sensor, is a direct outcome of this research, ensuring ease of use whether one is seated at a desk or simply passing by.

Empathy stands at a height of 1420 mm, with a width of 800 mm and a depth of 300 mm. Crafted from metal and acrylic, it features a 14W LED with a warm 3000K color temperature, delivering 1210 lumens with a high color rendering index of 90. The lamp's rotation mechanism allows for a 90-degree vertical and a full 360-degree horizontal adjustment, offering unparalleled flexibility in directing light.

The design team, led by Alexey Danilin and including engineer Nikita Morozov, product manager Elena Slivka, assistant product manager Anastasia Orlova, and visualizer Dmitry Cherednikov, worked collaboratively to bring this project to fruition. From April to December 2023, they labored in Moscow to create a product that is as much a work of art as it is a functional piece of design. The Empathy floor lamp will be showcased in April 2024, also in Moscow, where it is set to captivate audiences with its intuitive design.

Empathy's design journey was not without challenges. Integrating a motion sensor into the lamp's structure in a way that would be universally convenient required innovative thinking. The team's solution was to determine the optimal height and shape for the sensor, ensuring that it could be activated both by those seated and by those standing. This attention to detail is what sets Empathy apart, making it a beacon of user-centric design.

The Empathy floor lamp is a shining example of how design can enhance our lives not just practically, but emotionally. Its success at the A' Design Award is a testament to the power of empathetic design and its potential to create products that truly understand and respond to human needs. As we move towards a future where design is increasingly human-centric, Empathy leads the way with its innovative, touchless, and emotionally intelligent features.