The RIMA desk lamp is especially designed to provide interaction the user can feel. Illumination profiles of their choice can be created by sliding up to four floating rings over the tiny LED lights of the elongated illuminant. Adjusting the rings will turn LEDs on and off - it is as easy as adjusting a curtain. RIMA is characterized by its slender shapes, exquisite materials and clear, clean lines. The high quality manufacturing and outstanding LED technology guarantees visual and functional highlights and reduces energy consumption.

The Brief was to design interactive light, to bring light in a very flexible way. With Rima light is no longer controlled via a conventional on-off switch but can be actively regulated via four gliding rings attached to the RIMA lamp. Users are now able to create their own light environment by simply moving the rings and shifting the light to the desired area, instead of moving the lamp to a different location.

This technology is enabled by several LED’s that are connected in series. The light can be navigated by moving the rings in horizontal direction. All LED’s are regulated by a processor which can detect the position of every single ring. This processor is driving the power supply to the LED’s, either in front of or behind each ring. But not only can the position of the light be controlled. Additionally, the colour of light, light intensity, light warmth and the angle of the light beam can be altered. This is done via a second ring mounted onto the first one, which can be moved radial to control the functions mentioned above. Again, the processor is driving the power supply to the LED’s, depending on the position of the second ring.

Furthermore, this concept combines light and light control into one unit. There is no seperation between the light switch and the light itself. The hand is navigating the light and creates a self-conception within the user.

I was inspired by the idea of “tangible interaction”, RIMA was developed for individual, flexible light emission and for direct interaction of user and product. RIMA is controlled by active gesturing instead of using a conventional switch. Not by button, but by handle.

RIMA’s design provides for tangible interaction. The user can establish an individual, personalized illuminated setting by moving up to four rings along the band of LEDs on the elongated light unit. Moving the rings will turn the corresponding LEDs on and off – as easy as drawing a curtain.

Thanks to the new light regulation system, it is now easier than ever to define the exact position and amount of desktop lighting. The size and position of the lit areas are completely flexible. The hand-controlled light navigation provokes a high level of self-conception in combination with a sustainable, emotional experience for the user.

In the process of the project, the designer was looking for a new handling with light and the product, which is using by the consumer. The new LED technology provide much more in handling with light and tangible interaction brings digital processes to the user. User Experience was a important point in this project. So, in the beginning was a metaphor.

The project was based on the metaphor of a window curtain, tangible action has been implemented into RIMA’s design. Depending on how far and where the user draws that curtain, the illumination of the room will change. Thus, the user can actively decide the amount and the position of the light incidence.

The rings, almost floating along the light rail, put two metaphors in redundancy, aiming directly at the motor function of the human hands: drawing curtains and moving balls on an analog calculator, a “so called” abacus. A lit area is drawn directly by hand. Sitting on top of the desk surface on thin poles, the illuminant reminds of a classic neon tube in grasping height, giving RIMA a semantic touch.

The Applications of the new technology are endless. End users experience a new, fascinating dimension of lighting-emotion ordinary lamps cannot provide. So, there are a wide market range to use the new technology. Lamp RIMA will be the first move to this market.

Functional- Compared to ordinary lighting solutions the project provides unprecedented functionality. Now, it has never been easier to create the illumination level of your choice. The technology enables you to choose whether you prefer to illuminate just one specific, or multiple areas.

Emotion - Rima is especially designed to provide interaction the user can feel. Intuitive gestures will turn LEDs on and off-it, is as easy as adjusting a curtain. By creating experiences that deliver moments excitement where and when the user least expect it is the key ingredient to transforms light into an experience for the senses.

Intuition - Perfect lighting is tailored to the individual. The appeal of this project lies in the combination of brilliant design, ingenious technology and intuitive handling. Thus, the technology and the design responds directly to the needs of its users. LEDs are intuitively turned on and off at the wave of a hand.

Energy - RIMA is using cutting edge LEDs to significantly reduce energy costs up to 100 times compared to incandescent bulbs. In addition to that, energy consumption can be reduced even more by simply selecting a smaller area of light distribution instead of using the whole illuminant when a high illumination level is not needed.