We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Alberto Ruben Alerigi about their original and creative Wall Lamp design work. Alberto Ruben Alerigi is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original wall lamp works.
Alberto Ruben Alerigi ("ARA") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Luminada Wall Lamp. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
ARA : We were thinking of creating a luminaire that could serve internal spaces with heights greater than 3 meters, such as the entrance lobby of large buildings, large staircases, etcetera.
ARA : The luminaire should, besides being able to provide the appropriate level of lighting for the environment, fill the vertical space with elegance, harmony and aesthetics, regardless of whether it is on or off. The light source should be LED and therefore should allow the installation of drivers. We wanted an innovative product in terms of style and content, light and elegant.
ARA : We are thinking of producing a limited series of the original model and creating other versions with different sizes and colors. Luminada can also be installed in other types of spaces since it can be mounted in a vertical or horizontal way, this is the concept we want to explore in the new versions. The original model will maintain its vertical positioning.
ARA : It was approximately 15 days, but not of continuous work, We start with the initial idea and some drafts, at a certain point it is better to stop and do another activity, until new ideas for the whole design or for the manufacturing details arise.
ARA : We are looking to develop luminaries that harmonize with new architectural trends. We understand that current architecture has a minimalist tendency, just as certain habits in society are changing. This is not a commissioned design, it's about pursuing an idea, an inspiration.
ARA : We don't work with any company. We work with unique and exclusive pieces. All our creations are produced in our own workshop. There is something special about the object when it is produced almost handcrafted. Therefore, with Luminada it won't be any different, because thanks to globalization, we can meet orders from anywhere in the world.
ARA : The evolution of LED technology has provided us with a new reliable and economical light source. This technology allows us to be more creative and innovative in our creations. We have to change our idea of lighting and develop bolder and more innovative projects and products that complement each other with new architectural trends.
ARA : I'd say it's more of an evolutionary process, one idea pulls another. In this particular case, we had just realized a project with this same type of aluminum profile and during its development we verified that it was versatile enough to be used in another type of product. As we had already intended to create a line of luminaires, we decided to go ahead and explore the possibilities.
ARA : The targets are the modern house and buildings.
ARA : In our opinion, in terms of aesthetics, its elegant simplicity. In technical terms, its ease of production and its low impact on the environment. It is a product that could last for decades, both aesthetically and functionally speaking.
ARA : After her execution, when we first turn on, we were surprised by her luminosity. In Portuguese she was an "iluminada" (illuminated one in English), both in her function and in her form, and as we really love what we do, we affectionately call Luminada.
ARA : Because it is a project that is practically 2D, all its elements are almost on the same plane, we only use 2D graphic softer, to define the dimensions and analyze the proportions. The construction details were developed directly during the execution, there is nothing complicated in its production.
ARA : I believe it is the simplicity and almost the purity of how the form meets the function.
ARA : It wasn't necessary. Our experience and knowledge were sufficient for its realization. As we said before, we had already worked with this material and, on the other hand, the electrical part is not complicated.
ARA : The role of technology is to offer us a new source of light, versatile, flexible, reliable and efficient. This technology frees us, it really allows us to innovate, almost without limits, in our creations.
ARA : Our work is usually directed to meet a particular need, a specific product for a particular function. It is not about reaching the market, so we do not work with analytic data. We do not perform a specific research. In this activity we have to be always updated on trends, materials and technologies.
ARA : Usually the biggest challenges are the deadline and the cost. It is very difficult to keep the creation and development within the planned budget and the agreed deadline. However, in this case, because it is a project of our own, we have only had the challenge of not exceeding the planned budget.
ARA : Even though we are rather rigid in judging our own work, this is only one part of the issue, the other part is the judgement by the market, by our colleagues and by the expert critics. The best place to find all this gathered, with impartiality, is in an international competition. So we decided to enter Luminada in the competition.
ARA : The greatest learning in this project was what relates to LED technology. It is truly a world of products and application possibilities that challenges our creativity.
