Nick Baker Prism light on

This stylish light proves that nightlights aren’t only for kids who are afraid of the dark. The Prism nightlight is a modern accessory that is minimal both in aesthetics and in operation.

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Designed by Savannah College of Art and Design student Nicholas Baker, the Prism nightlight was inspired by the work of fellow designer Naoto Fukasawa. Fukasawa’s “Without Thought” ideology encourages design that is intuitive and simple.

Nick Baker Prism light

The wood and glass light works with a see-saw motion to flip it off and on. It is, indeed, a motion that can be done without much thought. The gentle rocking motion is reminiscent of the way mothers calm their children to send them off to sleep.

Nick Baker Prism light see saw

As beautiful as the Prism nightlight is, it isn’t a product that you’ll find on store shelves anytime soon. Baker only produced one for a school project and has not announced plans to have them made on a larger scale.

Nick Baker Prism light detail

In an interview with SCAD, Baker talks about how he got his idea:

“I did a lot of research around nightlights and found this one problem that everyone goes through. It’s the middle of the night and you need to get up and get a glass of water, but you can’t see your lamp switch because it’s dark. You finally find it after fumbling around and switch on this bright lamp that hurts your eyes. I saw this opportunity and took some inspiration from one of my favorite designers, Naoto Fukasawa. His philosophy revolves around taking familiar actions and implementing them into products to make them more user-friendly. I was thinking of how light switches are familiar actions and how it flips back and forth. Then it hit me how a seesaw does the same thing and is really simple and intuitive.”

Nick Baker Prism light concept

“I always start out fantasizing about what I am about to create, but I have to reel myself back in and start researching. After I have a good amount of research, I start sketching out ideas and continue to research those ideas. Once I have several solid concepts, I will make mock-up models to test on people and get their reactions. After testing, I will take my findings and finalize one design to create a prototype.”