The “Follow Me” project focuses on new ways of perceiving and interacting with light using contact-free gesture recognition.
Familiar desk and floor lamp archetypes, which are commonly adjusted by hand, are replaced by an electromechanical spotlight in the ceiling that can be adjusted using a motion tracking system.
The design focus therefore shifts from the physical form of the lamp, to the sometimes forgotten, intangible essence of every lamp – the impact of the light.
The inevitable visual rivalry between the physical form of the lamp and the light itself is remedied by separating the light source from the field of action.
Consequently the light itself or the illuminated object becomes the centre of interest. The spotlight creates a defined but elusive space and focuses the gaze.
Contact-free gesture control enables the user to interact with the spotlight and point the light in a particular direction. Key gestures are recorded by an infrared camera mounted next to the spotlight. The camera is able to capture a three-dimensional image of the scene even in total darkness. Using a set of simple gestures, the light can be dimmed, focused and moved to the desired location without touching anything. No remote control or any other kind of feedback device comes between the user and their almost magical interaction with the light. This highly technical device is hidden from view and directing intangible light provides a sensual experience to the user.
Follow Me – a light project – was part of my diploma at the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg (HfBK) in Germany.
Special thanks to:
Ulf Freyhoff for technical support and programming
Paul Geisler for programming
Rainer Korsen for technical support
Prof. Ralph Sommer for his support
“Follow Me“ was awarded DesignPlus by the German Design Council
