Create Cures’ UV lamp is a stylish concept for sanitising everyday items
Shanghai-based designer Frank Chou’s non-profit assembles international designers to devise products that promote public health. The lamp is their first project
What led you to design the sterilising lamp? “One month ago the [Covid-19] situation in China was more like it is now in the United States and Europe – people were panicked. I thought, we are product designers, design is not only about the look or shape of something; its core meaning is to solve a problem.
“A lot of Chinese families bought industrial UV lamps to kill the virus but they are not meant for home use. They can harm your body. We wanted something that could be used long-term. The coronavirus will disappear sooner or later, but there is a risk similar things will happen in the future.”
How does it work? “You push the lamp closed and it starts the UV light both on the bottom and in the lampshade. When it’s done and the items are sterilised, it opens automatically, so the next time you leave home, the items are ready.
“This could be made using cheap material, like PVC plastic, which is good for mass production. We wanted to keep a balance between the concept and the product. We don’t want people to have an ugly machine in their homes.”
Is this method more efficient than sanitising with alcohol? “I’m not a scientist but before doing this I read research results from scientific experiments. There are different ways to kill a virus. UV light is not a new technology and it has already proven to be useful. It’s also cheap. The only thing you need to take care of is to avoid the direct light.”
Does UV light kill Covid-19? “This coronavirus is new but it’s just a virus. If you use alcohol, and wash your hands with soap, and use UV [on objects], it can kill the virus.”
Create Cures is a non-profit initiative. How does that work? “There is no money involved for the designers working on this project. If it can inspire manufacturers to help this enter people’s lives we would be happy with that. But my point is not only to focus on the lamp. I want to gather more designers and create more concepts for the public. [Chou is heading the Talents section at this year’s Design Shanghai event, in May.]”
How much will the lamp cost to produce? “The cost depends on the material and on the company making it and its business plan. It would be similar to other lamps around your home. Most of the cost of a lamp has to do with the shape and the electronics inside. There’s no magic to it.”
