Design and build an original lamp for a chance to win a cash prize and public showcase at CoMMA

Burke County Middle & High School Students Eligible to apply

OVERVIEW

This design challenge blends beauty and function through the artful design and engineering of a functional lamp! Middle and High School entries (that meet all criteria) will be given a small cash prize ($20) and a kit of tools and materials to complete a prototype of their lamp design from home. Participants will then have 18 days to complete the construction of their design. Winners will be selected by a panel of local judges and all entries will be displayed alongside the winners in downtown Morganton, March 2021.

Compete

ENTRY GUIDELINES

To enter, submit an illustration of your lamp design and answer the Google form prompts here. The entry deadline is February 5th. Illustrations can be hand-drawn or digitally produced. The means or method of rendering your illustration will not count for or against you in the selection process. However, craftsmanship and adherence to the criteria will be taken into consideration. Follow the overall design criteria (below) while making your illusion and consult the entry resource kit for further information.

Illustration Criteria

1. Lamp illustration should be completed on an 8.5” x 11” sheet of white paper with a pencil or pen and then photographed to upload digitally in the entry form. You may alternatively compose your illustration digitally and export it as a jpeg.
2. The illustration must indicate the lamp’s scale. When constructed, the dimensions of the lamp should be no smaller than 1x1x1.5 ft and no bigger than 6x4x4 ft.
3. Your design must utilize the rule of thirds or the Golden Ratio.*
4. The lamp must be rendered in 3 dimensions. This might be an orthographic projection, isometric, or oblique perspective. Student choice.
*This only applies if you are competing in the high school division

Build Your Lamp!

DESIGN CRITERIA

Accepted entries will receive a small cash prize ($20) and a kit of tools and materials. Kits can be picked up between 3-6 pm February 22nd at TOSS: 647 Hopewell Road, Morganton. Lamps must be built and returned to TOSS for judging on March 5th, along with documentation of the project.

Lamps must include an original lampstand and lampshade. Any type of lamp is acceptable including but not limited to:

1. Buffet lamps
2. Arc lamps
3. Tripod lamps
4. Swing-arm lamps
5. Torchiere lamps
6. Piano lamps
7. Boom arm lamps
8. Goosenecks
9. Tree lamps

Lamps will be judged on the following:

1. Innovation — Does the lamp stand out, provide something new, or improve an existing design?
2. Aesthetics — Does the lamp have artistic value in form, shape, color, texture, finishing, or material used?
3. Engineering—Was the lamp well constructed? Is the assembly and joinery well crafted?
4. Functionality and Ergonomics — Is the lamp comfortable to use, safe, and easy to maintain? Consider the overall interaction with the user.
5. Durability — Is the lamp of lasting quality and longevity of the design?

CONSTRUCTION KITS

The following tools and materials will be provided to make your lamp, if your design is selected.

Materials

•  Fabrics – set of assorted colors and textures (assembled by a local artist)
• Foam Core board – 10 boards (13″x13″)
• Hard and softcover books – 10+ books of assorted sizes (filling a small box)
• Lamp Socket – Hanging Pendant Light (12 FT Cord Kit with On/Off Switch)
• Light bulbs – one
• Wires – 250 ft. 17 gauge

Tools

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• White glue
• Spray adhesive
• Pliers/Wire cutters
• Scissors

Tools Update: Students may use hand-powered tools they have access to from home and parent/guardian permission and guidance to use. This list includes:

• Coping saws
• Small hobby saws
• exacto knives
• Box cutters
• etc.

DOCUMENTATION

Submit the following when turning in your lamp on March 5th:

• A picture of yourself with your project
• A list of tools you used (in addition to those supplied in the kit)
• And one of the following:

1. 10 photos that show the progression of the project
2. Logbook of the project with at least 10 entries
3. Time-lapse footage of project in progress

Rules

• Contestants must follow all entry guidelines to be eligible
• Contestants must not accept design or assembly assistance from others including parents, guardians, teachers, or peers. (If Contestants need assistance understanding the competition guidelines, or completing the entry, it is acceptable to request help from a parent, guardian, or teachers.)
• The only materials Contestants may use from home are various pigments, dyes, markers, and paints to add detail to the lamp and/or hand-powered tools such as coping saws, small hobby saws, exacto knives, or box cutters.

Liability Waiver

All contestants (and their guardians or parents) must sign a liability and waiver form, electronically. This form is found in the last section of the entry form.

Judges

Judges will be chosen among local engineers, designers, and artists from Burke County. They will rate each entry on a scale, using the rubric listed above.

Prizes

Middle School:
First Place $300 | Second Place $200 | Third Place $100 | Honorable Mention $50

High School:
First Place $300 | Second Place $200 | Third Place $100 | Honorable Mention $50

Timeline

Video Resources

Need Help?

*Consult the Entry Resource Kit for further resources on entry criteria and guidelines. If further assistance is required, reach out to Paul Gantt at pgantt@burke.k12.nc.us.