Pluto: A Task Lamp with a Twist

Heitor Lobo Campos' Award-Winning Design Marries Functionality and Sustainability

Heitor Lobo Campos' design inspiration for Pluto stemmed from the dynamic yet stable forms of telescopes. However, instead of focusing on the stars, this lamp focuses on the earth. The result is a stylish, compact, and aerodynamic cylinder, orbited by an elegant handle perched over an angled tripod base. This design allows for precise positioning of the light source, making it ideal for tasks requiring focused lighting such as writing or illustrating.

What sets Pluto apart from other task lamps is its unique manufacturing process. The lamp is produced by Gantri, a San Francisco-based company, using corn-based plastics. This innovative use of 3D printing technology in industrial production is not only groundbreaking but also eco-friendly.

Pluto's technical specifications further highlight its uniqueness. With dimensions of 317.5 mm x 254 mm x 247.65 mm and a weight of 1.3 Kg, it is compact yet sturdy. The lamp uses a 9W A19 LED bulb, with a dimmable switch on its power cord, allowing users to control the amount of light cast according to their preference.

The design process for Pluto was a meticulous one, spanning from March 2018 to January 2019. The project started as an individual endeavor by Campos and later developed alongside Gantri's engineering team. A significant challenge was creating a complex form full of negative space while still facilitating the printing and assembly process. This was achieved by splitting the design into various interconnecting pieces that were later assembled to form the final product.

Pluto's design is a testament to the innovative use of technology and materials in product design. Its unique form and functionality, coupled with its eco-friendly manufacturing process, have earned it the prestigious Golden A' Lighting Products and Fixtures Design Award in 2020. This award is granted to outstanding creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.