We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Andres Luer Solorza about their original and creative Lamp design work. Andres Luer Solorza is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original lamp works.
Andres Luer Solorza ("ALS") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Orbita Lamp. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
ALS : Interaction is Orbita's key element of innovation. A combination of highly skillful artisans with todays technology. Interaction translated as the gesture of the user splitting the domes to create light. from a single ball to two rotating hemispheres, perfectly balanced on a pivotal mechanism that allows a 360 degrees rotation and 4 different light settings.
ALS : Does the interaction with a lighting fixture makes the lamp more interesting or appealing to potential customers? From what I saw it does. This was the starting point of my design. At first I focus on which movement or gesture could be instinctive enough to lead the user to light up the lamp. The splitting of an sphere fit the requirement, intrinsically we know that the splitting of atoms create light, which by splitting the sphere resemble such fact. Next was to design the mechanical and electrical components that would allow such movements.
ALS : Develop the rest of the line under Orbita concept, 4 more lighting fixtures that explore in the same way the user's interaction with the light.
ALS : Two years end a half were required to finalize the design. The fact that Orbita is an on the go project I needed to design every part, not knowing how a part should be, I couldn't ask a supplier to make it, only after I was certain that it will work, I could start ordering the final pieces. Was a great challenge to test my knowledge on electric circuits, mechanical lathe and wood working.
ALS : Inspiration. By looking at what has been done in this particular field, lighting design, I saw room for experimentation, where advance tech and natural materials meet. I have developed a strong interest on natural fivers and their potential.
ALS : As of now I'm manufacturing the lamp myself. Outsource part of it will be the next step since orders have started to ramp up and customers satisfaction is at the core of any successful company.
ALS : I have been always involve in wood working and mechanics, it came natural the integration of both to an idea I had.
ALS : The are great inputs from craftsmen from Chile who showed me the workability and nature of the wicker natural fivers I wanted to use. By spending time with them I couldn't stop thinking on all the lamps i could make.
ALS : The customer that wants to be amazed and enjoy fine craftsmanship.
ALS : Simply the fact that is unique. It fits into a segment where there nothing yet.
ALS : Orbita as you may guess means orbit, like our mon around the Earth or Saturn's satellites. In homage to my roots I kept the word in Spanish.
ALS : Every step on the way had it's tool. Pen and paper for the first designs, Rhinoceros for the 3D modeling, Saw and router for the woodworking parts and metal lathe for the mechanical parts.
ALS : the gesture required to light the lamp up.
ALS : Craftsmen for the creation of the wicker lampshade, engineers for the electrical circuits.
ALS : Without technology this design wouldn't be possible. The whole lighting system that allows rotation and 4 light settings is the result of today advances in LED and connectors.
ALS : The research I conducted showed several data, some of them made me understand how fivers could be better used and on the other hand the user's tendency for products that have a certain degree of interaction.
ALS : By far the most complicated part was the design of the electrical components. The light source required to be replaceable and easy to plug, intuitive like a bulb. This plugging system required then to be connected to the rotational circuit and be compact enough to fit in the 12mm core.
ALS : I have won ADesign Award in the past and I always wanted to win again. After I stepped aside from Interior Design it came natural to participate going back to Industrial Design.
ALS : The most important learning is the one I'm going through now, how to run a manufacturing line where there is people from different sectors involved. Suppliers, accountants, certificates, codes, agents and so on.
ALS : As a summary I want to say that the experience of seeing an idea become real is the fuel that propel all of us creative, is this what push entire societies forward and in every aspect, from music to arts to literature to design.
