Rise and shine
Philips Design’s CultureScan research program revealed that consumers are increasingly interested in getting back to natural patterns and rhythms. So it took on the traditional alarm clock and designed a more intuitive way to wake up.
Think of how you wake-up on the weekends: gradually, pleasantly, and with an increasing awareness of light. As it turns out, waking up with light is a deeply rooted biological process that activates certain hormones and neurotransmitters—waking us slowly and naturally. When jarred awake by a standard alarm clock, we end up feeling more sluggish, drowsy and less alert throughout the day.
Seeing the light
Mimicking a sunrise to initiate the wake-up process naturally, the Philips Wake-up Light 2008 gradually increases in light intensity. The new design emulates a horizon effect, making it even more in tune with biological waking.
In-depth consumer research showed that people need quite a high intensity light to wake up fully in the morning. Philips Design insisted on solving the problem of heat dispersion instead of lowering the intensity of the lamp—making the Philips Wake-up Light six times more intense than other dawn simulators on the market.
The next generation
Based on consumer feedback on the previous generation model, the Wake-up Light 2008 offers a significant re-design to be less intrusive and to blend in with contemporary bedroom furnishings. The new model features a flush, modern shape that’s smaller and more compact to fit seamlessly with décor trends. The design and materials of the lamp emulate the traditional lampshade while boasting a decidedly modern aesthetic.
The sleek, metal on/off switch is clearly visible from a distance enabling the user to see the status from across the room and includes a patented energy-saving lamp unique to Philips.
Sound asleep
Collaborating with sound artist Scanner, Philips Design created gentle, ambient sounds derived from nature to stimulate waking. The light also functions as a reading lamp and boasts an exclusive embedded interface, which reduces visual clutter and enables the lamp to fit in with changing décor.
Light tech
Thanks to this combination of design features, the Philips Wake-up Light is truly effective and unique in the marketplace. In the words of Creative Director Jack Mama: “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 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.”
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