This Lamp Won't Turn On Unless You Feed It Coins - Yanko Design

"We flip switches without thinking, charge devices overnight without considering the cost, and leave lights on in empty rooms like electricity grows on trees. Modern life has made energy consumption so seamless and invisible that most people have completely lost touch with what it actually costs to power our daily habits. DesignNest's Coinlamp DINA forces you to confront this disconnect by making you literally pay for your light, one coin at a time."

"The concept sounds simple, but it feels revolutionary when you experience it firsthand. Instead of flipping a switch or tapping a touch sensor, you insert a coin into a slot to complete the electrical circuit and illuminate the bulb. The lamp only accepts medium and large coins, typically the highest denominations, reinforcing meaningful value. DINA's minimalist design combines sustainable materials with thoughtful craftsmanship."

"Inserting a coin feels deliberate and slightly ceremonial, creating a connection between the physical act of payment and the immediate reward of light. The warm glow that follows feels earned rather than automatic. This selective coin requirement adds another layer of meaning to the interaction. Small coins representing lesser value don't make proper electrical contact, so they won't activate the lamp. This design choice reinforces the message that valuable resources require"

The Coinlamp DINA requires users to insert medium or large coins to complete an electrical circuit and illuminate a bulb, making lighting a deliberate paid action. The lamp uses PLA for the shade, ash wood for the body, and copper contacts that highlight the coin slot mechanism. Coins of lower denominations fail to make contact, so only higher-value coins activate the lamp. The ritual of inserting a coin ties payment directly to the immediate reward of light, prompting users to consider energy cost and resource value. The design combines functionality, sustainable materials, and tactile interaction to challenge habitual energy consumption.

Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News