

Client: Virgin Trains
Project: Pendolino First Class Table Lamp
Expertise: Product Design, Engineering Development
Developing the detail that gets great ideas made
- Virgin Trains Pendolino First Class table lamp
- Three months to design and develop
- Engineering another designer’s concept
- Daily liaison with our client’s electronics team
- Design for low-volume, batch production
- Plastics, lighting and metalwork development
- Prototype test and verification by Lucid
- Complete manufacturing specification
The Situation
Railway lighting specialists Translec were contracted to develop interior lighting for Virgin’s Pendolino, working from conceptual designs by Priestman Goode. Lucid’s Innovation’s engineering designers were tasked with turning the lighting concepts into reality.
The Challenge
Working from visuals, Lucid’s team needed to develop a detailed design for manufacture in low volume batches. Preserving visual design intent whilst engineering a practical, robust solution was critical.
Destined for first class tables, the lamp was to be one of most obvious external differentiators between standard and premium travel carriages.
Our Solution
Sketch visualisation, 3D CAD modelling and rapid prototyping were used to develop a form visually consistent with the original images and an architecture incorporating the required electrical connections in a safe and easy-to-service design.
Technical challenges included consistent illumination, and overcoming the constraints on tolerances and finishing imposed by design for low-volume processes.
The Result
Consistently recognised by millions of travellers, the lamp is an enduring, integral part of Virgin’s first class experience.
The Lucid team consistently deliver engineering design that captures intent – a critical part of the process of new product experiences.
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Consistently recognised by millions of travellers, the lamp is an enduring, integral part of Virgin’s First Class experience.