DESIGN NAME: Agal
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Lighting Unit
INSPIRATION: The inspiration is a blend of the time-honored Arabian accessory, the Agal and fashionable vibrant bangles. Motive was to create a twist between authenticity and sleek modern elegance. Hybrid portrays a spellbinding halo-like form, which represents the Agal with light glowing from the colored bangles. Primary and secondary researches were conducted to form a resourceful database for the project. Since glass is the main material, its engineering had to be well understood such as: restrictions, coloring techniques, transparency properties, other materials to combine with to create as standing out piece of lighting.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The collection comes in appliques, two and three level chandeliers and flush mounts. Inspired from the headband that fits on the Bedouin scarf known as keffiyeh, Agal is a versatile design made up of one glass bangle that is exponential in terms of textures, forms, sizes and six fixed color sets. Color sets are all nature-inspired, each is made of both frosted and luster glass and 4 color shades that flow in harmony. The individual design is designed to emit light in a poetic attitude, adding so much grace and delicacy to any environment.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The genuine beauty of this collection falls under its versatility and endless combinations of its features. The Agal products offer a sense of posh and delicacy to any indoor environment. The choice of color sets complements the ambiance of not only primary residences but also summer and vacation houses. Agal can be fixed diversly whether hung from the ceiling as a centrepiece or on the wall independently or in clusters to suit different moods and styles. All Agal products offer direct light with gentle intensity but the radiance flow varies depending on the product form, function, size and scale of the surrounding environment.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in September 2020. The design process of brainstorming, highlighting inspirations, concept development, 3D modelling and rendering took one month until the prototype came to life to be exhibited in a launching event, the manufacturer of the collection in October 2020. The full collection was executed in March 2021 in all colour sets and was displayed in an event.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Lighting Products and Fixtures Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The lighting units main form is the bangle round form which is made out of glass. The technology is partially organic partially automated as the glass is shaped by manual blowing and then refined using machinery to facilitate create duplicates. The bangles are then left to cool and then colored on a turning wheel to aid the symmetry and continuous streaming of color consistency. When dry, the bangles are fixed together around the LED light covered in a translucent strip case.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: The applique is an offspring of the chandelier, just one level cut in half, resembling a crescent. Its diameter is 25 cm and height is 20 cm.
The double bangle chandelier consists of two levels, each level gradually following the other in terms of size. Therefore, the diameters are 40 cm and 50 cm with a total height of 100 cm and a 20 cm height between the two levels.
The triple bangle chandelier is one more level than the double, its diameters are 30 cm, 40 cm and 50 cm with a total height of 100 cm and 15 cm height between each level.
The flash mount is a full loop with a diameter of 40 cm.
TAGS: Bedouin, Agal, Applique, Double Bangle Chandelier, Triple Bangle Chandelier, Flash Mount, Light Design, Fixture, Hanging, Flora, Rust, Bahr, Sahara, Orchid, Milky
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Agal is a vital accessory that supports the traditional headdress known as the keffiyeh or the scarf worn by Bedouins in the Middle East and North Africa. If the Agal is taken out of one's head, it is considered an act of disrespect and the person is expected to apologize or mediate from the heads of influence and wisdom. The impact of grace and glory of the Agal on the head is pierced in the halo forms of each lighting unit holding the bangles in melody to ignite. Despite the traditional Agal look, the lighting units create a modern version of the concept with their color and design attitude.
CHALLENGE: When creating series with the same design attitude, the challenge is categorized into branches. Since Agal is composed of appliques, chandeliers and flash mounts, the primary challenge was to implement a lighting effect that serves the function of each product type and still make them in coherence with one another. The second challenge was of a technical and quality control concern, which is the fixture of light between the bangles in a durable and precise manner that transmits the light clearly as well as the fixation of the product as whole either from the ceiling or on the wall without clashing with the design aesthetic.
ADDED DATE: 2021-05-30 12:48:22
TEAM MEMBERS (3) : Designer: Mona Hussein, Product Designer: Nour Mohamed Amr and Product Designer: Rana Ali
IMAGE CREDITS: Photography Credit: Nour Mohamed Amr
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