New Wake-up Light

New Wake-up Light evokes sunrise for more pleasant and natural waking experience

August 2008

Philips’ Wake-up Light 2008 represents a significant departure in design from the first generation of dawn-simulator, evoking a feeling of sunrise through a steadily increasing light intensity emanating from the object. Smaller, with a more user-friendly interface and using new materials, the result calls on the iconic lampshade for a contemporary aesthetic and more modern design that integrates seamlessly into the bedroom setting.

Combining a reading lamp with an alarm clock, the new Wake-up Light offers a more pleasant way to wake up by gradually illuminating as it turns on to simulate a sunrise and follow the natural rhythm of the body. This is further enhanced by the diversity of alarm sounds to choose from to accompany the waking experience, from sounds derived from nature to a gentle, ambient waking alarm. These sounds were created in collaboration with sound artist Scanner. Once fully illuminated, the lamp recalls a sunset on the horizon via a divider between the luminescence and the dark part of the object.

Following the body’s natural rhythm

The Wake-up Light concept was initially presented at the 2006 Simplicity Event where a number of ideas that envisioned Philips’ Design’s brand promise of Sense and Simplicity were shown. The creation of the concept called on Philips’ Design’s CultureScan research program that helps to provide an understanding of important trends for the future. This research program has found that consumers are becoming focused on listening more closely to nature and following patterns of nature, linking back to their biological clock. And that a strong desire to focus on natural timings, seasonal changes and an intuitive rhythm to life is emerging.

Designed with the bedroom in mind

Trend research also shows that the bedroom is considered to be a very personal and intimate space and whilst its design used to remain quite static, there is a change toward fashion and more frequent redecoration. There is also a movement from minimalistic towards more comfort and decoration with aesthetic objects becoming more important in the bedroom interior.

Looking closely at the lamp

With reference to an iconic lampshade in terms of shape and materials used (glass, ceramics and metals), the Wake-up Light was designed to be a desirable interior object rather than a technology device. Its flush, modern shape and clean neutral design subtly hide the advanced technology. The display panel is inside the product rather than on the outside as on a traditional alarm clock, making the product less obtrusive. Housing the display icons in this way, the Light offers a look and feel of utter simplicity, eliminates a sense of clutter, and integrates seamlessly into any bedroom environment.

The on and off button, a long, metal switch that protrudes from the Light, has been designed to be very visual and easily accessible. It allows the user to see the status of the alarm from across the room. It is also used to turn the lamp on and off.

“We tried to refresh the idea of an interior object that blends into the environment, rather than providing ‘another’ technology device. The Wake-up Light brings in our experience from the Simplicity Events on how to create new forms of simplicity in complex products. The challenge is to design products that are easy to use, have relevance for people and at the same time are very technically advanced,” says Jack Mama, Creative Director, Philips Design.

For more information on Philips Design

Ingrid Bal

Philips Design/Communications Press Officer

Tel:  + 31 40 27 59 342

Email:  ingrid.bal@philips.com

About Royal Philips Electronics

About Royal Philips Electronics Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 160,900 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.