ctrl + alt + light

DisciplineDigital fabrication
Physical computing

ToolsAutodesk Fusion
Arduino
Adobe Illustrator

TimelineOct - Dec 2024

Can adding seemingly trivial details to mundane things transform how we perceive them and value the world? Ctrl + alt + light is a nontraditional lamp that aims to challenge our ideas about scale and our relationship to ordinary objects. It presents light in a whimsical way by using the shape of oversized keycaps from a keyboard while retaining the functionality of a lamp, suitable for everyday use.

Users can interact with it by pressing the keys to control the power and appearance of the light. The fabrication aligns with the range of custom designs created in the growing community of mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The lamp’s pixel style and color palette also specifically draw inspiration from the earlier nostalgic days of mechanical keyboards and the Y2K aesthetic.