In class, my group brainstormed several ideas for ways the LED light circuits could be used in a way to improve our dorm rooms. These included: a night light, a light that you could make into wall art on your wall, a light decoration for your door, light art for your window, a line of lights guiding you to the door in case of emergency/at night, fairy lights, lights that change color, lights that strobe, a disco ball, lights in the back of your drawer, and lights on your closet hanging rod. Then we picked our favorite ideas or grouped similar ones to make a Pugh chart, splitting passion into 4 sections for each group member because that was more individual (recreation from memory below).
In the end, although I felt like the closet lights and other ideas were more interesting and unique, the fact that I could really use a nightlight or some smaller light (because my roommate goes to sleep before me) won through. The practicality for me was the decision maker, and I feel like it will be relatively feasible.
For me, the key design objectives of this night light would be to be able to mount it on the bulletin wall (my bed is right against it), and for it not to be too bright — just a soft light is necessary, to give me a little more light but not disturb my roommate. In my idea, I incorporated the light into a small shelf to hold things such as my phone or earbuds, with the LEDs tucked subtly into the side. I’m envisioning this shelf made of metal, and if possible some kind of translucent plastic over the LEDSs so that they’re not too bright, just a soft glow.
