Design of a new luminaire for retail environments using the Philips Lumiblade OLED technology

Abstract

This thesis is part of my graduation project for Philips Lumiblade and the master of science program Integrated Product Design for the Delft University of Technology. The main goal of this thesis is to describe which context factors led to the conceptual direction, how it evolved and what is designed and delivered. This thesis consists of an analysis, vision and concept development. The thesis is concluded with a functioning prototype and a user test in a shop environment. A study of literature and additional sources have been reviewed to get an understanding of the OLED technology, market an Lumiblade company profile. Early on in the project it was identified that there is no tangible problem to solve with OLED in a cost efficient way, nor are there commercially successful products on the market. The lighting characteristics OLED offers are close to the ideal lighting conditions of a given space. Several other unique selling points are pointed out in the analysis. These USPs of OLED are not new, and have not resulted in a successful product yet. Therefor the analysis aimed at finding trends, developments and problems related to the chosen application area and the end-user. The concept developed for Philips Lumiblade is an interactive shop lighting system that guides customers towards the products: improving shop circulation and probably also stay-time. The concept can be seen as a lighting installation that transforms a shop-in-shop area in a 3D website: Products are grouped according to online shopping behavior. Dynamic lighting is difficult to catch in word or static image: For a video impression of the lighting dynamics scan the QR-code. The project is concluded with a user test in a real shop. LivingLandscape significantly improved the atmosphere factors liveliness and detachment of the shop environment. No statement can be made on the effect on shop turnover - more testing needs to be performed for that. The thesis ends with a set of recommendations for Philips Lumiblades if they decide to continue with the concept.