Tobias Toft

This project was primarily focusing on using practice theory as a tool for innovation. The case dealt with the development of a product that would facilitate social interaction, by using ”smart” light. It sounds very fuzzy, and it was – at least in the beginning. The stage was set to the camping areas of Roskilde Festival, where the product was supposed be used. 

The outcome was a series of lamps or “lanterns”, that could be built into almost organic-looking structures. Once connected, the lamps would start communicating and form different animated patterns of light in the dark.

Seven Kommit units connected (early rendering)

The lamps were designed to be boring when used alone, but once connected to other people’s lamps they would become a glowing sculpture – almost like the forbidden campfires – that people would gather around, to talk, sing, drink, party or maybe even kiss. In other words: being social.

A picture from our first test (taken at campus at 04:22 in the morning)

The lamp-units were called “Kommit”-units, and every one of them had unique names, so that the owners would be able to find their own unit in the structure they had built in cooperation with other people. The power source for the lamps would be renewable energy, e.g. from solar panels or wind mills. The benefit from selling the lamps, would go directly to the festival’s annual cause (e.g. to support fair trade or raising environmental awareness).

A quick StudioTools rendering of a single Kommit unit

For more information on practice theory you should take a look at our supervisor Max Munnecke’s work. You might be able to find something on his website.