inga sempé: electrical switches and sockets for legrand

‘trompe-l’oiel’ triple socket

french designer inga sempé has teamed with electrical equipment specialists legrand to produce a collection of three ranges of switches, sockets and dimmers presented during designers days 2012 in paris. the series reinterprets functionality to imply additional user interactivity.

‘trompe-l’oiel’ in use

the unity of walls is disturbed by the empty holes and shinny male pin view of the many sockets that are useful nowadays. ‘trompe-l’oiel’ evades those technical elements as a relief baseboard.

‘trompe-l’oiel’ simple socket

‘trompe-l’oiel’ simple socket

‘variateur’ dimmer, switch and lid socket

‘variateur’ dimmer

‘rotatif” switch

‘rotatif’ features a slider rotation that indicates its functions. the frame shape is related to the maximum route to be performed, and defines the design’s functions. the switch slider is located on an arch in which you move a quarter turn; the dimmer is on a circular frame with the maximum power obtained by half a turn. the ‘on’ position, or the power are shown by simple graphic displays. when switched off, the information window disappears under the slider. technical elements of the ‘rotatif’ socket are hidden under a mask which can be raised to plug in a device.

‘rotatif’ socket underlid

‘longiligne’ double toggle switch and RJ 45 switch

the proportions of ‘longiligne’ are similar to doors or openings. the functional toggle is the height of the plate. the cavity of the ethernet jack is modestly closed when not in use under a rectangular rotating eyepiece.

‘longiligne’ toggle switch