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Product Design Student Work: More Convenient, Movable Power Outlets

Marie Radke's VOLTA

By Rain Noe - February 15

"As a domestic source of electricity in times of digitalization, [power outlets] are an important asset that allows most people to work at home in different places," writes Marie Radke, a Masters candidate in Product Design at the Berlin University of the Arts. Yet despite their ubiquity and importance, Radke finds power outlets are "still quite undesigned and often not so easy to reach." This of course requires workarounds:

This then became the subject of Radke's final project, VOLTA:

"While improvised solutions of multiple sockets under tables or sofas force us to bend and stretch, VOLTA brings the power to you. The collection consists of 3 objects with sockets: a multifunctional lamp, a multiple plug and an extension cord to clamp. So there is always a power outlet within reach."

I like the thinking, though I suppose the issue of trip hazards should be addressed as well. I often find myself wishing the power outlets in my house could magically descend from the ceiling when summoned.

Also check out Radke's furniture projects.

Comments

Zach W

7 months ago

Z

1Z

Again I am baffled by the projects you choose to feature. This student made an extension cable. Nothing new. Nothing even very creative. If you haven't been to a hardware store in about 25 years they already make cables that clamp to things (arguably more useful than the one shown above).
Also I would not like to have 30ft of extension cable loosely clipped to my pants pocket while I walk around a job site, and quite frankly it doesn't look like that clip would even hold the weight of 2 heavy-duty cables....
Please give us more news worthy designs and less unoriginal student work!

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- michael mueller
  
  Zach W
  
  7 months ago
  
  Z
  
  Z
  
  probably there is someone jealous because never featured anywhere
  
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Alfonso C. Betancort

7 months ago

Z

Z

This one is a clear dud.

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Rain Noe

I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.