11. Light Pillow
What it Is:
Spotted by Juliana Oliveira, ESAMC Coolhunt ‘10, Brazil.
The D*Light is a pillow and a light in one. The by Diana Lin designed pillow shows another aesthetic and another design sense at work. It can be functional and cozy at the same time. After making its initial splash as a supposedly novelty item, therapists have now been recommending the pillow to their patients who suffer seasonal affective disorder and depression. The LED’s used in the pillow also makes sure that it doesn’t burn up and through the fabric. There have been complaints by some that the shape and hardness of the LED cocoons within the pillow are a bit off putting and do not make it all that comfortable, we can however see the innovative thought process at work here. The designer put forward another way of look at lights, at pillows and how we use light for our own well-being.
Why it's cool:
The student noted that women love nothing more than to snuggle up against something cute. She also noted that this is not only cute but also makes the owner seem innovative and cutting edge.
Science of the Time’s interpretation:
We’re not so sure about the generalization about women, but this product does show how a novelty item can grow legs and continue to be cool. It was once again featured this year as a top Valentine’s Day gift. The fact that it has also been embraced by mental health care professionals illustrates how designs can cross functionality boundaries. It’s the user who decides how and why they use a product. The designer herself is also part of what we will highlight in our Design Top 15 coming up after this student top. Female designers who bring their aesthetic and their feel for materials and function to the design table. That is not saying that their is something that is specifically feminine about the design of D*Light, but it was born out of another perspective.
