Mono Lamp That Captures Iconic TV Test Cards

Mono Lamp reminds of the TV tests and works as a symbol of the 20th century mass media

Mono Lamp reminds of the TV tests and works as a symbol of the 20th century mass media

As a child, designer Simon Forgacs has been fascinated by how test cards looked on TV screens. Appearing as colorful geometric shapes, test cards are a set of patterns that calibrate and adjust television signals for the picture to be displayed correctly right before broadcast. But being so young, Forgacs did not understand the meaning behind them; all he could remember was how mesmerized he was by these light patterns that live inside the same box as star wars or back to the future did.

Looking at test cards was like looking under the hood of a complex machine and with time, they became a symbol of a dominant era in TV history. Therefore, he wanted to capture their essence in a symbolic object — which led to the creation of the MONO LAMP series. It took over a year to prototype, build partnerships and eventually find the right balance between production quality, cost and scalability.

Made in Italy, the MONO LAMP series comes in two colors with an ash wood and aluminum base, a 30 cm-diameter illuminated plastic globe and an easily replaceable standard light bulb. the final effect gives off an ambient lighting, with warmer or cooler tones — depending on the surface color.

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The designer was influenced by the TV test cards in his childhood and wanter to capture them

The designer was influenced by the TV test cards in his childhood and wanter to capture them

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A replaceable light bulb gives off a warm and intimate setting with the colored globe

A replaceable light bulb gives off a warm and intimate setting with the colored globe

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The monochrome envelope creates a different lighting quality, with whiter tones

The monochrome envelope creates a different lighting quality, with whiter tones

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The object can be used in different types of environments —  from studios, homes to offices

The object can be used in different types of environments — from studios, homes to offices

Source: designboom