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Foglia Photocatalytic Floorlamp by Kevin Chu |
Home > Winners > Design #71803 >Interview |
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FS: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
KC: While still in my 30's i went backpacking in Thailand and one morning i woke up in a banana farm. It was at that moment i saw the glistering ray of sunlight shinning through the leaves of the banana tree and i thought about a lamp that can be inspired by this moment. This began my long journey in designing Foglia where i wanted to infuse the change of color, photosynthesis and biophillia ideology into a product.
FS: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
KC: I always wonder: a piece of furniture can look very nice, be highly functional and also employ clever use of material but what if it is more then all these and transform into an active entity that can improve your well-being as well as our environment. Basically i am trying to mimic as close to nature as possible and not just in aesthetic but also in the essence of plants being the life force of our planet. This was why i was extremely excited when discovered the enormous potential of photocatalysis process over 5 years ago.
FS: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
KC: This is first generation of our photocatalytic furniture and it lays the ground work for further designs that will intergrate this technology. It also opens the path for more economical production of future designs. Our mission has always been creating highly unique and original designs that inspires or harness nature into our collection and we are already ready to unveil the "never seen before" next collection later this year.
FS: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
KC: This particular design took nearly 7 years from conception to production as it went through countless changes, prototyping before this final version is released. We also waited nearly 2 years for photocatalytic technology to catch up to what we wanted as photocatalysis initially needed UV light to work and this is incidentally harmful to humans and cannot work as an interior product.
FS: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
KC: It was purely to pursue my own dream of changing the landscape and perception of what furniture is and can be.
FS: 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?
KC: The design is already under production by few of our collaboration factories in Italy. We can consider licensing the design/production based on terms and conditions. The design is world wide patented and own by my firm.
FS: What made you design this particular type of work?
KC: It was 2 decisions . Why does furniture or lighting design seems always to be static and not customizable and why furniture cannot be also an active environmental device rather then just using recycled elements as a means of being sustainable.
FS: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
KC: Actually my wife and my new born was my biggest inspiration as my wife has always been my muse in many of our nature adventures and my new kid was a catalyst for me to consider designing furniture that can improve the health of the family. I don't particularly like to look or be inspired by other designers as i try to keep my work as original as possible.
FS: Who is the target customer for his design?
KC: I suppose people who appreciate innovative aesthetics, a sense of sculptural quality in product design as well as anyone who want to live in a better environment in both individually or in the social scale of our planet.
FS: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
KC: Through our research we know that we are not the first to bring photocatalytic lamps to the market although they all look quite industrial and lack a sense of beauty and innovation. We are, as told our patent lawyer, the first to create a highly "designed" product that aesthetically resembles a piece of art as well as attain the ability to customized entirely by the user. Also our photocatalysis technology we incorporated into the design is the most advance version in the world as it needs only visible light and circulating air to cleanse bacteria, viruses, odors and organic pollutant. We have eliminated UV light dependence of traditional photocatalytic products.
FS: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
KC: Inspired by banana LEAF, and since my studio is based in Italy and Hong Kong, why not call is FOGLIA which means leaf in italian.
FS: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
KC: AUTOCAD, 3D Studio Max, 3D printing
FS: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
KC: Most lamps on the market are static in design no matter how beautiful and creative they are. With Foglia, the design can change it screens magnetically by the user which adds a much larger potential for customization to any interior and it is one of the first designer lamps that can cleanse your environment using an invincible technology that harness nature infinite supply of light and air, forever.
FS: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
KC: We work with several renowned scientist in Italy to test the effect of photocatalysis. We also collaborated with several factories around the world for 3D model study and prototype manufacturing. We also worked with 2 american/chinese companies on supplying the best acrylic panels and wifi control lighting for the design.
FS: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
KC: Photocatalysis is an amazing innovation that allows designers unrestrained freedom in creating whatever they want. As it is invincible and can be embedded to any shape or surface it allows any design to attain a secondary function with no loss in aesthetic and functionality of the product.
FS: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
KC: We read and discuss many data research on photocatalysis effect with several of our scientist. We also conducted limited market research on people's reaction on the design's possibility of user customization as well as environmental benefits.
FS: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
KC: Countless changes, many failures in production, waiting patiently for technology to play catch up and trying to proof to people photocatalysis really work. There are probably more challenges i forgot but these are the ones that gave me countless sleepless nights.
FS: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
KC: We have been regular participants on many design awards as it is a great tool for marketing and networking. A Design Award being my annual submission schedule for all my new designs!
FS: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
KC: I think it is not just an award that make you improve but what you encounter in everyday situations that drives you to make the design/product better. We get many opinions and feedback from industry insider as well as clients and we always take this to improve our work. It is a never ending pursue in perfection that creates this drive for improving.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
KC: none so far
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A' Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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