Designer Lighted Umbrella-Ripple Effect

Refracted light plays tricks on the eyes.  Are you sure it's raining?  Sometimes you can't see the rain, but you can see the effect it has on the environment.  Look down.  Cause and effect.  A physics lesson and morality tale in every puddle.

Rainy days and nights are drab enough without having to use drab umbrellas. Rise up from the "sea of drab and plaid!"

Enjoy using our illuminated umbrella so you can see- and be seen. 

These colorful series of lighted umbrellas make reference to the many different ways we experience rain; from bold colors to a more subdued black pattern. They are beautiful fashion accessories that are also built tough and provide visibility and safety while walking in the rain at night.

• Amazing 6 ft circle of light.
• On/Off button on handle.
• 6 volt krypton bulb in a chrome housing (easily available for replacement).
• 36 in long, 43 in diameter canopy.
• Windproof: tested to 40mph without damage.
• Virtually unbreakable: fiberglass shaft and polycarbonate ribs insure that even when the umbrella gets turned inside-out it remains intact.
• Sterling silver clasp.
• 4 AA batteries offer up to 3 hours of constant illumination.
• Pongee Nylon: water shedding, stain resistant, dye-sublimated canopy.
• Trademarked Liquid Design #3 by Karacters Design Group.
• Weighs only 16 oz: the lightest illuminated umbrella available.
• Includes clear storage/travel tube with shoulder strap.

 
The Liquid Series Story: by designer Ian Bouchard
 
Often umbrellas are an afterthought. I remember going to a wedding where a sudden spurt of rain forced the wedding party (in tuxedos and expensive dresses) under a collection of golf and logo’d umbrellas…one was a lop-sided Miller Lite umbrella.

I’m a bit of a design geek and thought that printed canopies of the type I’d seen on some cool umbrellas (think Marimekko) would be interesting when under-lit by the light of our umbrella. This could supplement the safety aspect of the lighted umbrella with a “be seen” for fashion’s sake appeal. The beauty of the designs offset the image of “safety means reflective and neon/fluorescent colors” mentality.
The addition of sterling silver clasps and a clean package design helped position the item as a serious design item rather than a cheap gadget that might only last one year. I wanted people to consider that these umbrellas could be relied upon for many years.

The theme of the different states of water came after a group of us were recognizing the concept of the Inuit people having 60+ different words for snow. We on the West Coast experience many different forms of precipitation and ended up visualizing the different ways we experience water. The aesthetic is purposely clean and modern.
They’ve been awarded the GOOD DESIGN Award from the Chicago Atheneaum: Museum of Architecture & Design and the LOTUS Award among others.

I think part of the appeal of these is that they run from classic design-inspired (WATERBEADS) to colorful and bold (MONSOON), to subtle and pretty (RIPPLE EFFECT). The light, in and of itself, wouldn’t be so compelling if there wasn’t more than just the “user” to illuminate! 

• Additional Information:These lighted umbrellas are not a gimmick. Bright Night umbrellas have been designed to perform in conditions that would destroy many others. They are tough yet fashionable umbrellas...that just happen to have a light.
• When illuminated, the 6V Krypton bulb, casts roughly a 6 foot circle of light around you.
• Using innovative materials and solid engineering, these umbrellas are
• virtually unbreakable in normal use.
• They are tested to withstand sustained 20 mph winds and gusts of 40 mph without any damage.
• Regular windproof umbrella. 
• Battery Installation Requires 4 x AA batteries - which should provide approximately 4 hours of light
  Access to battery compartment requires a flat head screwdriver. 
• Bulb Replacement: Your umbrella comes with two bulbs - one to use as a back up
  Insert bulb in the socket at the base of the canopy.Replacement bulbs are available at most hardware stores  

• 1 year limited warranty.