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Industrial Design Student Work: An Unusual Take on the USB Power Strip

Branche(r), by Romain Thouin of ENSCI

By Rain Noe - July 25, 2023

in design.edu

This unusual Branche(r) USB power strip was designed by Romain Thouin, while studying Industrial Design at France's ENSCI – Les Ateliers.

Thouin started by considering the ugliness of existing power strips:

Next, "I made an analogy between botanical and electrical," Thouin writes, "because of their network organizations and hierarchy." After experimenting with plant-like forms…

…Thouin came up with this:

The idea is that the top is actually the screw-end of a lightbulb. This allows the Branche(r) to be screwed into an existing light fixture.

If this is not desirable, there is also a cord that allows it to be plugged into the wall. The cord connection then serves as the "on" button.

The only thing I'm iffy on, just for durability's sake, is Thouin's proposed material: Borosilicate glass, to "give the object more value" and "create a quality aspect." That aside I think the form is fun and attractive.

Thouin has since graduated and is now a fully-minted industrial designer based in Paris.

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Stan Spangenberg

a year ago

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Nice idea, but I would not have the weight push on my usb connector like that when standing on his feet. The lying position is better.

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Ryan Cee

a year ago

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I agree with you on the glass, especially when translucent green plastic for that 90's kitsch is right there. I like it overall, I think any shortcomings of the form factor can be adapted to for the sake of having a fun design.

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