Skip to main content

Innovative lamp shade invites owners to practice origami skills during assembly

Despite being a consistent pillar of home decoration for centuries, the lamp shade industry has enjoyed very little in the way of innovation; after all, it is merely a lamp cover. Don’t tell the designers at the Delft-based design studio Allocacoc this, however, because they have their sights set on completely changing the way people view lamp shades — literally.

Launched via Kickstarter this week, an aptly named product called the Origami Lamp Shade is Allocacoc’s flashy and customizable answer to an often boring home appliance. Functioning exactly as its name suggests, the Origami Lamp Shade lets anyone unleash their inner Akira Yoshizawa.

Manufactured out of Dupont-constructed Tyvek, Allocacoc’s Origami Lamp Shade is equal parts durable, customizable, and portable. Delivered to backers as a flat piece of Tyvek, this clever lamp shade requires a bit of creative planning before it has the ability to fulfill its ultimate function.

Featuring several sets of laser-cut lines, the Origami Lamp Shade lets users fold it and piece it together entirely on their own, producing a unique finished product which casts light, and shadows, in a wholly different manner than any other lamp shade.

“Moving out to another home can be very frustrating,” said the Origami Lamp Shade’s designers on its Kickstarter page. “Imagine you no longer need separate boxes to pack all your bulky lamp shades, but you can bring it along where ever you go. You will always feel at home, with a beautiful lamp shade that suits your own room. We present the Origami Lamp Shade. From one piece of paper, it will turn into a beautiful lamp shade. With some basic origami folding skills, you will create a nice design that will [light] your room.”

Though much of the Kickstarter campaign references the Origami Lamp Shade’s portability, the fact that it looks unlike anything else on the market is clearly its strong suit. Sure, it also makes moving a touch more manageable, but its unique aesthetic and ability to cast unusual shadows give it a serious leg up on its somewhat dull competition. Additionally, the fact that the shade is made from Tyvek means it’s resistant to tearing, water, and fire, which make it one incredibly durable product.

As of this writing, Allocacoc had secured $729 in funding toward its goal of just under $5,000. With 27 days left in the campaign, it remains to be seen if the Origami Lamp Shade woos enough adopters to allow the company the ability to bring it to market. The lamp shade is available for just $15 for a hanging version and $20 for a standing variant.

Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni boasts a new square design and improved vacuuming skills
The X2 Omni clenaing under a bed.

The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni was officially revealed today, showing off a bold square design, increased suction, and retractable mops so it can vacuum and mop in a single run. It’s a big step up from the old X1 Omni, and it’s a solid addition to the Deebot lineup -- which already includes the well-reviewed T20 Omni.

As one of the most expensive robot vacuums in the Deebot catalog, the X2 Omni is packed with premium features. This includes an impressive 8,000Pa of suction, two rotating mopping pads that apply pressure to the floor while in use, and improved navigation and mapping abilities thanks to a dual-laser lidar system.

Read more
At Amazon’s annual device event, AI was everywhere — and nowhere
Amazon's Dave Limp at the 2023 device and services event at Amazon HQ in Arlington, Va.

Amazon's Dave Limp at the 2023 Device and Services event at Amazon headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

One of the major narratives going into Amazon’s Device and Services event — something you'd read leading up to the event, and something I even heard as we waited in line to get in — was, of course, artificial intelligence. Would AI make its way into Alexa and Amazon at large?

Read more
Hurry — Dyson V15 Detect Extra cordless vacuum is $150 off
The Dyson V15 Detect cordless vacuum with its laser.

Dyson deals are always in high demand, especially for the brand's cordless vacuums, so you're going to want to take advantage of this offer from Best Buy -- a $150 discount for the Dyson V15 Detect Extra, bringing its price down to $650 from $800. There are still a few days left before the bargain expires, but we're not sure if stocks will last that long, so if you're interested, don't hesitate with your purchase. You're going to miss out on the savings if you take too much time to think about it.

Why you should buy the Dyson V15 Detect Extra cordless vacuum
Dyson's devices always have a spot among the best cordless vacuums, and that trend continues with the Dyson V15 Detect Extra. It's equipped with Dyson's Hyperdymium motor, which can spin at up to 125,000 rpm for powerful suction that can pick up all kinds of dirt and debris, while also featuring advanced whole-machine filtration that can trap most particles so that it will release cleaner air into your home.

Read more