DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
ODS : The main principle was to design luminaire that emphasizes tactile experience of the user with the design object. To be able to change the light and atmosphere with touch gestures.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
ODS : Our focus was user interaction and the use of technology behind the experience. We wanted the user to control the light using intuitive gestures, without much prior explanation.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
ODS : We are open for production and business opportunities.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
ODS : This concept had three major technical iterations over the course of three years. Essentially the concept is unchanged but the technology behind the design has undergone massive changes and improvements.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
ODS : The design concept was created out of pure inspiration in our design studio. We usually talk about user interaction with objects and human centered design. From one of these sessions we thought about creating a modular luminaire system that can be touched in order to change the light emitting behavior.
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?
ODS : Initially we gave one company a chance of producing it, but it resulted as a big technical challenge for them. So at the moment we don’t have a manufacturer. However we did self produce a series of luminaires that are now permanently featured in the red Dot Design Museum in Singapore. We are open for production and business opportunities.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
ODS : In the era of digital and wireless we wanted to preserve the tactile interactive experience. Our designs however have the wireless technology integrated, and can be manipulated from the distance with an app. Yet our main focus is for the user to approach the luminaires, touch and play with them, directly experiencing the change made by his hand.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
ODS : This design is a result of our personal pursuit and interest.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
ODS : We think this design can be purchased directly by the end user, but we had in mind architects, interior and light designers. The modular luminaires can be installed in homes as well as in offices, hotels, lobbies, galleries or restaurants. They can be arranged in groups of only few to several dozens.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
ODS : The unique combination of appearance and technology involved.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
ODS : Since the main objective is the play with indirect and direct light, from font and back side of the luminaires. With their round shape, it remotely resembled the impression of planets and the Moon.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
ODS : Technology is a very important aspect of this design, we conducted many experiments with various LED types, light diffusers, made dozens of hardware and electronic prototypes. Lastly we created all the parts in CAD that were laser engraved, cut and CNC milled from acrylic sheets and solid aluminum.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
ODS : We think that the unique aspect of this design is combination of technology, compact design and the tactile user experience.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
ODS : We had a small team of collaborators, specialized professionals that included a physicist, two software development engineers and a mechatronics engineer. The parts were made in different workshops for laser cutting, aluminum machining and anodizing.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
ODS : The technology is one of the major aspects of this design. It directly affects the shape, object behavior in interaction and the overall experience.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
ODS : The research we had to perform is technology related. We needed to identify the boundaries and test many options to optimize a project fit solution.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
ODS : The biggest challenges were technology related. The visual representation of light is very delicate to the human eye. Sometimes mathematical calculations do not meet the human perception. We had to perform many tests to satisfy the user experience and the available technology at the moment.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
ODS : We were encouraged by the design competition organization for this particular design.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
ODS : We have learned the importance of prototyping and testing in the early stages of technically demanding design object. It was also a great experience working with a team of amazing professionals from various fields on a project with many innovative aspects.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ODS : No, the questions were great.
