Kanpazar Outdoor lighting by Jon Santacoloma

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DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

JS : Depend on the Project, on everything. In the case of Kanpazar a clear simple effective reference to nature.

DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

JS : To get the first product for a new catalogue is a new niche for the company. A simple reliable timeless long lasting product. In all likelihood something very Basque.

DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?

JS : I hope to make it known, so all its benefits can be seen, and that many people will want to light up their environment with it.

DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

JS : Months, long talks and conversations followed by several months of development, tests and trials.

DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

JS : I was asked for a light and given carte blanche, solely with the possibility of using/updating the appropriate technology. A real challenge.

DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

JS : The design was created for a specific company, Blux Group to be precise.

DI: What made you design this particular type of work?

JS : Simplicity, eclectic timeless shapes, without overlooking the warm environment it generates.

DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

JS : The natural shapes of trees, particularly the one at Kanpazar Pass influenced the design.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

JS : Architects, interior and blueprint designers for their projects; and individuals for their surroundings.

DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

JS : The materials, process, lighting, product possibilities or range, and price. There are loads of factors in the mix.

DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

JS : As I’ve already mentioned, it comes from Kanpazar Pass, a tree, a moment when everything you’ve studied, worked, learnt and reflected meld together.

DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

JS : The usual ones, i.e. paper, pencil, scanner, SolidWorks, Photoshop, etc.

DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?

JS : Its dimensions, SHAPE and simplicity.

DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

JS : We collaborated with manufacturers who were experts in rotational moulding and prefabricated concrete. The design determined the goal, the target and guided the team to its final destination, in other words the end product or solution.

DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?

JS : Technology in this product is an updating task. Innovation is in applying it to a new sector and product category.

DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

JS : It was jumping without a safety net, a proposal which fit in as regards form, concept and opportunity.

DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

JS : Chiefly the introduction of new processes and materials in our client’s processes, with not being used to working with them in the new product category.

DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

JS : Chiefly to corroborate the timelessness of the design.

DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

JS : You always learn something from each project, and in this case, that the products end up being a reflection of people and their relationships.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

JS : In relation to the foregoing questions, all the solutions made through a design are like the people who create or design them in one way or another. We tend to convey what we are, how we’re seen and would like to be seen to objects.