DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
: The design was inspired from the concept of transmission of sound as the vinyl rotates on the all time classic Pickup.The vinyl was replaced by the translucent marble discus which was placed standing,thus producing a reverse pickup table lamp.The concept becomes complete with the bronze arcs which in combination with the discus's final position depict the archetype of the Pickup needle placed upon a vinyl.The further the discus rotates by the user from the starting point,the more it gets illuminated.The discus can be detached and replaced with another colored discus simply by pulling it off the guide.The necessary dimmer and adapter are placed on the wire,allowing a slim base.A movement sensor placed on the guide provides the dimmer with a wire signal,resulting in the dimming process.The package includes all three discus colors.Each discus can be de-assembled for the LED tape to be changed.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
: We really wanted to redefine what a table lamp is, and what a table lamp can be. We wanted to suspend the classic “static” notion of a lamp and try to achieve something new, something vibrant. We were interested in what could happen if we started to consider the table lamp not as something which is placed inside a room and after a while gets forgotten, but as something that constantly changes its shape in an organized manner and thus changes the atmosphere of the whole place. Also, we were intrigued by the thought that a design object should correspond and reflect the user’s mood. This is how the idea of the interchanging discuses was born and the notion of “Reverse Pickup” was crystallized.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
: We are looking for enthusiast collaborators to bring the design into life.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
: The project started with an abstract sketch in Athens in January 2017 and was completed in early May 2017 as a concept design.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
: We decided to pursuit a mid-summer inspiration which remained hidden in our sketchbook until January 2017.
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?
: We intend to produce our work ourselves, since we haven’t yet found any interested companies. However we are open to discuss a production collaboration.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
: A number of different stimuli, which lately happened to be mostly from the Lighting Product Industry. We thought that we could add something to what we saw, and to what we felt was missing.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
: No. Our work is totally a product of our in-between influence.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
: Anyone who is willing to try something fresh but also timeless, something memorable.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
: The whole design is about a new kind of table lamp which establishes a relationship with the human body. It is a product which requires the human touch both for its function and its personalization. It is a design that aspires to transform your mood into a vision: you choose your discus and how much to rotate it.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
: The design was inspired from the concept of transmission of sound as the vinyl rotates on the all time classic Pickup.The vinyl was replaced by the translucent marble discus which was placed standing,thus producing a reverse pickup table lamp.The concept becomes complete with the bronze arcs which in combination with the discus's final position depict the archetype of the Pickup needle placed upon a vinyl.The further the discus rotates by the user from the starting point,the more it gets illuminated.The discus can be detached and replaced with another colored discus simply by pulling it off the guide.The necessary dimmer and adapter are placed on the wire,allowing a slim base.A movement sensor placed on the guide provides the dimmer with a wire signal,resulting in the dimming process.The package includes all three discus colors.Each discus can be de-assembled for the LED tape to be changed.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
: We like to sketch a lot at the beginning, so as not to prison the idea into anything concrete. Books, philosophy, movies and music are also a valuable way of communication between us, a way to convey the desired atmosphere. Afterwards of course follow the clear designs, 3d and physical models.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
: The uniqueness lies into the featuring of an elegant discus consisting of translucent marble.As the discus rotates along the base it gradually lights up.The form of the two bronze arcs emanates from the desire to enclose the discus and accentuate the notion of movement and the play between light and shadow.Three different discuses,each made from a different colored marble were chosen to match the users' aesthetics and mood.As the mood changes,all you need to do is "play" your favorite discus.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
: For the concept phase, we didn’t consult people with technical/specialized skills apart from marble technicians who were eager to show us all kind of translucent marbles.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
: The design would be almost inconceivable without the use of LED tape and movement sensor.
LED tape: The discus consists of two pieces of translucent marble each 3 mm thick which are held apart from each other by a circular wreath featuring a cross-section similar to a bike's rim.In the 15 mm interval between the marbles, a LED tape is glued upon the wreath's internal surface.The LED tape is powered through the wreath’s contact with a bronze guide spanning the bases' length which ensures the rotation course of the discus.The bronze arcs are welded on the rectangular bronze base.
Movement sensor: The further the discus rotates by the user from the starting point,the more it gets illuminated.The discus can be detached and replaced with another colored discus simply by pulling it off the guide.The necessary dimmer and adapter are placed on the wire,allowing a slim base.A movement sensor placed on the guide provides the dimmer with a wire signal,resulting in the dimming process.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
: There wasn’t any hardcore analytical research before making the design. We just simply felt that something was missing.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
: The greatest design challenge was the giving birth to an "eternal" and timeless piece of furniture through the use of priceless materials while at the same time making use of a post-modern and pop concept such as the pickup.Our preoccupation was to create a "Less is more" and featherweight kind of design despite the use of heavy and expensive materials. For more palpable challenges, we should mention the moving sensors explained in the “role of technology” question.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
: We thought that it was a good idea which should have the chance to get the attention it deserved. Also we wanted to see whether our preoccupations would be reflected onto other people’s minds as well.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
: We started paying more attention not only to the overall idea concept, but also to the visual impact of the design. We understood that apart from fresh, interesting and functional, the design had to also be beautiful.