Mobilamp : How a product design can facilitate the everyday life of urban nomads

Sammanfattning

Due to various societal changes such as globalization, urbanization and connectivity, new lifestyles, such as that of urban nomads, are becoming more common and relevant. Therefore, this study observes and analyzes this target group from a critical and multidisciplinary perspective. Urban nomads can be defined as a collective group of people who live and work in urban areas. They do not reside permanently in one place but move frequently within urban locations. Minimalism as part of low-consumption lifestyles and the concept of mobility, which form the core of the urban nomads‘ mindset, are examined in detail.The focus of the research is the relationship of urban nomads to material possessions and their meaning. Based on this, the thesis aims to generate criteria and requirements for a product design from the perspective of design, which meets the needs of urban nomads and simplifies their everyday life. Through a people-centered approach and the collaborative application of different methods, the urban nomads are placed in the focus of the innovation process and are actively involved in the process.The thesis results in the development of a transportable and multifunctional lamp (Mobilamp), which is realized in the form of a prototype based on the generated criteria from the research. The product design is considered as an example and analyzes in which way needs can be satisfied and through which usage situations the daily life of urban nomads can be facilitated. The aspect of sustainability in the consumption behavior of the target group is also critically analyzed and evaluated through the product.