Crackdown Decorative Lighting by Ibrahim Fatih Satilmis

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

IFS : Crackdown explores the hidden brilliance of cracks. By marrying crackle glass with satin‑finished metal, I created a modular luminaire that choreographs light and shadow, turning surface “imperfections” into poetic focal points. The aim is to celebrate rupture as a source of radiance.

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

IFS : My priority was interaction: the object should respond to both user and setting, igniting a warm ambience the moment light is introduced. Crackdown therefore becomes an experience, not just a fixture.

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

IFS : I am prototyping a desk‑top edition and experimenting with recycled metals and tinted glass to widen the collection.

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

IFS : Seven weeks from initial research to final render.

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

IFS : The project was self‑initiated; the tactile contrast of cracked glass and cool metal sparked the concept and drove the process.

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?

IFS : I am negotiating with several Istanbul manufacturers to launch limited runs and explore licensing for broader markets.

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

IFS : I sought to dramatise light’s emotional potential through fractured texture, adding narrative depth to functional lighting.

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

IFS : apandi minimalism—its calm lines and material honesty—guided the aesthetic.

DI: Who is the target customer for his design?

IFS : Hotels, contemporary offices, galleries and design‑driven homeowners seeking statement lighting.

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

IFS : Crackle glass is structural, not ornamental; every crackle glass a unique pattern, while the modular frame adapts from floor to pendant with a single core component.

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

IFS : ‘Crack’ reflects the fractured surface; ‘down’ hints at taming glare to reveal subtle glow—light emerging from rupture.

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

IFS : SolidWorks, Shapr3D, AutoCAD, KeyShot and Adobe CC for modelling, rendering and presentation.

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

IFS : A shared module strategy lets multiple product types be produced with one tooling set, reducing cost and waste.

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

IFS : The project was realised solo; I handled research, design, and visualisation myself.

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

IFS : Laser‑cut panels, CNC metal and efficient LED engines deliver precision, durability and low energy consumption.

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

IFS : User–architect interviews defined lighting needs; material testing determined optimum crackle density for glare control.

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

IFS : Balancing emotional mood in renders required countless texture‑light iterations; engineering fine tolerances for modular joints was equally demanding.

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

IFS : A close friend encouraged me; the award offered global visibility and professional benchmarking.

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

IFS : I refined my texturing workflow and learned how meticulous modelling directly affects believable light behaviour in renders and prototypes.

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

IFS : Every component is specified for disassembly and recycling, aligning the project with sustainable, minimalist principles.