Main Project Aesthetic Inspiration

Prior to the pandemic, I had just finished re-watching the first season of Westworld with some future housemates in preparation for the season 3 premiere. In the teaser trailers leading up to the newest season, we were able see some of the first glimpses of the world outside of the wild west theme park. Through careful location scouting and aftereffects, they use current day settings in Los Angeles and Singapore as the backdrop for the show’s events unfolding in 2052. As the series progresses, more and more of the futuristic world is shown. In season 2, an apartment with neutral colors and geometric furnishings is shown, and staged following the concept art below from David Moreau [1]. A lot of the outside world in the newest season is consistent with this room’s aesthetic.

I have a propensity toward sleek and minimalist designs for furnishings and past experience with laser cutting, so I figured I could create a desk lamp frame out of geometric wood panels and add a silver metallic paint or another neutral color finish to make a furnishing that would adhere to the aesthetic I enjoy so much from the Westworld series. The pandemic has proven challenging, and may ultimately have a larger influence than I anticipated over the aesthetic of this final project.

Aesthetic Developments

Supply shortages at Ponoko following the pandemic meant I had to switch my desired material from Maple Hardwood to Amber Bamboo Plywood to get access to a 31.1″ x 15.1″ sheet to accommodate my decorative panel DXF layout. By comparison, the amber coloration lends a sort of rustic aesthetic that may detract from my desired futuristic aesthetic. The Ponoko website overview of Amber Bamboo Plywood as a material is shown below as Figure 4. Ponoko does list Amber Bamboo Plywood as ideal for electronics enclosures.

If I am unable to secure the silver metallic paint I need, I may need to pivot to a modern rustic aesthetic. I have recently received the lighting socket for my desk lamp, shown below as Figure 5. The matte black finish and brass ring should complimented by the coloration of Amber Bamboo Plywood more so than the coloration of Maple Hardwood.

The only remaining component for my desk lamp, once my laser cut wood panels arrive from Ponoko, is the bulb itself. It will need to be a medium E26 bulb to fit into my light socket, and I may want to get an LED bulb to reduce the chance of fire hazard when in operation and surrounded by wood. The bulb itself will have a massive effect on the overall aesthetic of the desk lamp. I may want to get a diffuse bulb to not be blinding if seen between the desk lamp’s decorative panels.

Image and Inspiration Citations

[1] “Westworld S02 – Observation Room”. Concept Art by David Moreau. Artstation. Accessed 7 April, 2020 from https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9qD1L

 

[2]  “Amber Bamboo Plywood”. Ponoko. Accessed 7 April, 2020 from https://www.ponoko.com/materials/amber-bamboo-plywood

 

[3] “Black Plug In Wall Sconce Light With Brushed Brass Ring – Flush Mount Wall Lamp Fixture – Mid Century Industrial Modern Edison Bulb Lighting” Brighttia. Accessed 25 March, 2020 from https://www.brighttia.com/product/black-plug-in-wall-sconce-light-with-brushed-brass-ring-flush-mount-wall-lamp-fixture-mid-century-industrial-modern-edison-bulb-lighting/