Our analysis of this situation is that the technical development is being placed under the responsibility of the suppliers based on a concept provided by the interior designer, usually a 3D render with general dimensions and main materials. While as lighting designers, our task only consists of the light bulb specification, which is obviously a weak process because we are responsible for the lighting design but not in charge of elaborating and advising to improve the design and technology of the decorative lamps.

Creating a bespoke lamp requires specific skills combining aesthetic, lighting, and engineering approach, but the process to achieve a qualitative product and proper lighting effect is misunderstood and underestimated by our collaborators and clients. It is why we advocate being involved in product development for providing proper detailed documents to the manufacturers and delivering a professional product that will fit the design, the light, and safety regulations. We look forward to seeing the trends to pass the bespoke lighting design mission to a lighting expert becoming more popular and being considered essential.

Here are the main aspects that we consider for our bespoke lamp product studies:

• Aesthetic and Design Accuracy
• Light Source Technology
• Safety and Responsibility
• Ergonomic and Maintenance

AESTHETIC & ACCURANCY

Bespoke lamps should match the concept in terms of aesthetic and lighting effects to illustrate the storytelling of the whole project, which is very important. This way of approach is only successful when the bespoke lighting designers work closely with the project designers and the client to understand and exchange ideas, give pieces of advice on materials used, or follow up on the affordable budget for producing the lamps, this task is crucial and needs to be missioned to a professional lighting designer.

APPLIANCE UP-TO-DATE TECHNOLOGY

Light technology evolves a lot since the light bulb, even LED bulb, and we now have multiple options for an integrated customized light source for decorative lamps, particularly accurate for hotels. As lighting designers, we always think of the optimal experience for the users and bring delicate value to the projects. Decorative lighting is always an impression whether it is a huge glass pendant light in the hotel lobby or a bedside table lamp, when it is a decorative object, it catches attention. The technology used for the bespoke lamp cannot be underestimated because the lighting effect itself contributes directly to the common scenes of the environment. The lighting effect from every decorative or functional light needs to be able to expose its function and also merge.

SAFETY & RESPONSABILITY

We are aware that industrial design for lighting products requires high knowledge about materials’ performance with electricity, heat, and light. It comes to a serious safety engagement for tailor-made lamps in the operation process for hotels and resorts guestrooms. Accident consequences involve origin and quality certificate inspection, but who would take responsibility? Would it be the developer, the interior designer, the hotel operator, or the contractor? We should start thinking about this safety and responsibility for the advantage and the welfare of everyone involved.

ERGONOMIC & MAINTENANCE

A decorative lamp has to tolerate high manipulation from the users and for maintenance. This aspect of the product is a crucial section for hotels since it can be an issue to fix the lamp monthly or even weekly as it has not been designed for a highly demanding environment. Lighting designers are aware of this aspect and take into account these constraints of manipulation by the users and the durability target.

At SLA Studio, besides architectural lighting design service, we also offer lighting design for bespoke lighting in various fields including Hospitality, F&B and Nightlife, Park and Urban, and Entertainment. Whatever we do, we aim to contribute our knowledge, our creativity and build up the true value for our client’s projects.

Credits:

• SLA’s Chapeau bespoke decorative lighting series
• M Gallery Hotel, Vietnam

Writer: Cyril Lamy, Creative Director