We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Mónica Pinto de Almeida about their original and creative Lighting design work. Mónica Pinto de Almeida is an award-winning industrial designer, that makes our world a better place with their original lighting works.
Mónica Pinto de Almeida ("MPDA") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Cubes Lighting. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
MPDA : The main idea behind this design and its inspiration is the interplay of lights and volumes. The inspiration came directly from architecture, especially from schools like the Bauhaus or brutalist and minimalist styles.
MPDA : My main focus in this table lamp was to be able to translate my inspiration to the piece and achieve a balanced unity, an interesting shape, a different view in its different angles and an interaction between shapes and light.To show a piece of lighting in a non-obvious form.
MPDA : My future plans for this piece are first to make it known to more people and then to continue to develop it, and who knows, maybe to start developing this design in other sizes to become a wood sculpture with light.
MPDA : This concept took around two to three years to be finalized; there were many experiments with the size of the shapes and their balance until the desired result was achieved. Then it also took a lot of time to choose the definitive woods and finishes before starting production.
MPDA : This design was the result, as it has almost always been until now, of following through with the expression of my inspirations and restlessness. At all times I am influenced by my environment, I am very sensitive to all that surrounds me, and my mind never stops! I really need to express myself through design, just like other artists who may need to sing or paint, it's something you can't control.
MPDA : I intend to produce the piece myself for my brand, Mokki
MPDA : I designed this piece out of the need to express myself, to show new points of view and interpretation in a piece.
MPDA : In this particular case with the Cubes table lamp, what influenced me most were the great masters of architecture and philosophies such as those of the Bauhaus school.
MPDA : I think the people who are most attracted to this design will always be sensitive people, people with a desire for different things, with new approaches to the field of interior lighting.
MPDA : I think that perhaps what makes this design stand out from other similar concepts is the use of wood in a very minimalistic and clean way and the balance between the various volumes as well as the light that is not noticeable at first glance and is only seen when the piece is turned on.
MPDA : The name of this design, Cubes, comes from its shape itself, and the way I played with geometric shapes during its development
MPDA : The tools I used most during the development of this piece were hand drawings, 3d software programs, and a lot of work with models until I got the final sizes and shapes right.
MPDA : Perhaps the most unique aspect of this lamp is its very different shape, its homage to wood, and the light in the form of a surprise.
MPDA : In the development of the piece and its subsequent production I worked with people very specialized in woodworking as well as in the area of luminotechnology.
MPDA : The role of technology in this piece will be in the importance of the use of LED technology that allows us new ways of working with light, allows us to work in tighter spaces, and gives us a diversity of solutions that we can create.
MPDA : In the design and development of this piece I did a lot of research in the field of architecture. Architecture is something I have always been passionate about but now with this piece I really needed to deepen my knowledge to understand the concepts behind each architectural art movement and understand how I could translate certain concepts into a piece. I have particularly studied the architecture of the Bauhaus school, Brutalist architecture, and minimalist architecture. I am very attracted to these styles by the purity of their lines and the different approach in the use of materials.
MPDA : The biggest challenges I had with this piece were always around the final balance I wanted to achieve with the use of several volumes together.
MPDA : As in previous years I have participated in design competitions, and having received awards, I could see the benefits that these awards have for designers, for their recognition, for opening new markets and our consolidation as professionals. The competitions also help us grow tremendously as professionals and artists because of the demanding application process and being able to get feedback from a jury in the field is always a great help and a process also of great humbleness in accepting constructive criticism.
MPDA : I learned that we must always follow our instincts, that we must strive to do our best, and that we must always continue to study and understand deeply why things are the way they are.
MPDA : Just thank those people who have helped me and always believed in me and a sincere thank you to all the people who contribute to the Design field and congratulations to other winner designers!
