Outdoor lamps are a dime a dozen, but the vast majority of them come in rather serious and rugged designs. That’s unsurprising considering how most people will probably want a reliable light source that doesn’t require much fuss or fiddling to set up. That, however, doesn’t mean there’s no more room for a pinch of frivolity and whimsy, especially if you’re more interested in adding some luminous accents over actually illuminating your campsite or backyard. That’s the kind of experience that this toy-like lantern is offering, adding an element of fun to outdoor nighttime activities with a simple twist.
Designer: iu Llong (for Havnby)
Camping lanterns, or any lamp designed for outdoor use for that matter, are often rugged and simple to operate. The last thing you want to bother with in the dark of night is fighting with your advanced but complicated lighting solution. Sometimes what you need, however, isn’t just light but entertainment and enjoyment, which the Twist Camping Lantern delivers by turning its function into a more engaging physical activity, almost like a game or a toy.
Inspired by the “gashapon” Japanese vending machines that dispense random capsule-encased toys, this lantern employs a twisting mechanism to not only turn on its light but also change the mood. It’s made of two truncated cones joined at their bases, and each half controls a different aspect of the lighting. Turning one side controls the brightness of the light while the opposite side affects the temperature of the light, from cool white to warm red. Since there are no distinct levels or markers, changing these settings involves a bit of discovery and uncertainty, adding to the excitement that the experience provides.
The capsule-shaped lamp also has another unique element: its hanging clip. The clip can not only hang from hooks or cables but even from poles, as a self-locking mechanism makes it stay in place. This clip is actually also made of two halves magnetically joined at the end, providing an easy way to attach those poles without having to slide the lantern from the top or bottom.
The Twist Camping Lantern’s light might admittedly be too low to illuminate the whole campsite at night, so it’s more of a mood setter than an all-in-one light source. In some cases, however, it might just be enough for the activity, like reading inside a tent or having a backyard party. Its design and mechanism, simple as they might sound, significantly change the image of the lantern from one of utility to one of enjoyment, inviting users to have a little fun underneath the starry skies.
It might be a foreign concept to those born in the age of the Internet and smartphones, but libraries were once the only place where you could get voluminous amounts of correct information. Of course, these institutions still do exist, especially in schools and universities, but the image of a quiet room with shelf after shelf of books might seem odd and even eerie to some. There are aspects of this imagery that have almost become iconic over the decades, such as the archetypal metal-encased lamp used not just in libraries but even in banks. Those lamps would naturally look antiquated on modern desks, so this design reinterprets that classic concept into something that pays homage to the past while also embracing the aesthetics of the present.
The Library Lamp or Banker’s Lamp had a singular purpose: to illuminate the reading material or papers in front of the user without disturbing or distracting others nearby. As such, it often has a softer, less glaring glow than most desk lamps would have today, while still offering enough brightness, especially at night. Of course, these lamps reflected the design trends of that period, which were often more ornate than practical. It would make for a good decorative desk piece, but would still look out of place in today’s workplaces.
This redesign takes the spirit of the library lamp and inserts it in a form that embodies more modern industrial aesthetics, particularly the use of simple shapes and curves as well as unpainted milled aluminum. Instead of a single elaborate stand, the trapezoidal lamp shade is held aloft by two slim arms that also serve to hide the lamp’s internal wiring from plain sight. These parts stand on a horizontal block of metal that has a subtly concave surface that serves not only to diffuse the light but also to hold small objects like keys, pens, and other knickknacks.
In addition to its sleek modern appearance, the Library Lamp also incorporates modern technological conveniences. In particular, the base, arms, and even the lampshade itself are touch-sensitive, providing physical controls without the need for disruptive buttons and switches. Just like its forebear, the lamp gets the job done with minimal fuss and confusion. It also looks quite striking as a representative of the dominant design trend of its period, adding a touch of beautiful minimalism and industrial design to any desk, workspace, or shelf.
It might be a foreign concept to those born in the age of the Internet and smartphones, but libraries were once the only place where you could get voluminous amounts of correct information. Of course, these institutions still do exist, especially in schools and universities, but the image of a quiet room with shelf after shelf of books might seem odd and even eerie to some. There are aspects of this imagery that have almost become iconic over the decades, such as the archetypal metal-encased lamp used not just in libraries but even in banks. Those lamps would naturally look antiquated on modern desks, so this design reinterprets that classic concept into something that pays homage to the past while also embracing the aesthetics of the present.
The Library Lamp or Banker’s Lamp had a singular purpose: to illuminate the reading material or papers in front of the user without disturbing or distracting others nearby. As such, it often has a softer, less glaring glow than most desk lamps would have today, while still offering enough brightness, especially at night. Of course, these lamps reflected the design trends of that period, which were often more ornate than practical. It would make for a good decorative desk piece, but would still look out of place in today’s workplaces.
This redesign takes the spirit of the library lamp and inserts it in a form that embodies more modern industrial aesthetics, particularly the use of simple shapes and curves as well as unpainted milled aluminum. Instead of a single elaborate stand, the trapezoidal lamp shade is held aloft by two slim arms that also serve to hide the lamp’s internal wiring from plain sight. These parts stand on a horizontal block of metal that has a subtly concave surface that serves not only to diffuse the light but also to hold small objects like keys, pens, and other knickknacks.
In addition to its sleek modern appearance, the Library Lamp also incorporates modern technological conveniences. In particular, the base, arms, and even the lampshade itself are touch-sensitive, providing physical controls without the need for disruptive buttons and switches. Just like its forebear, the lamp gets the job done with minimal fuss and confusion. It also looks quite striking as a representative of the dominant design trend of its period, adding a touch of beautiful minimalism and industrial design to any desk, workspace, or shelf.
The world is filled with many things that have the potential to become materials for creating products, and yet we still prefer typical materials like plastics, metal, or wood. Not all of these are sustainable, and those that are sustainable aren’t always easily renewable or require a lot of energy to process or recycle. Admittedly, looking for alternative sources of materials isn’t an easy task, but once in a while, we come across a promising solution both in terms of sustainability and beauty. This rope light and Ikebana vase, for example, are already quite striking in their unique shapes, but they are made even more significant by the fact that they are made using a biodegradable material based on one of the most common and simplest kind of plant on the planet: algae.
Designer: Su Yang Choi
One of the problems with supposedly more sustainable or recyclable materials is that the process of making or treating them isn’t always sustainable, requiring more energy and water than usual. In contrast, this algae-based material isn’t treated with harmful chemicals, has reduced energy consumption during manufacturing, and can easily be shaped using heat. Even better, leftover scraps from the production process can be collected and recycled to reduce material waste at every step.
While the material itself is quite impressive, putting it to good use is the real test. For this purpose, a pair of everyday objects were made not just to demonstrate the usability of this algae-based material but also to show off the complicated designs that can be made with it. And nothing can perhaps be more complicated than knots, especially the beautiful traditional Korean knots known as Maedeup.
This knotting is best exemplified in this Ikebana vase that loops around itself a couple of times in an almost random fashion, symbolizing the unpredictability and cyclical nature of life. In addition to this rather intriguing structure, the biodegradable material used here is mixed with coffee grounds, another sustainable material, to give it that earthy brown color.
On the opposite end of the color spectrum is a long string lamp that uses the algae-based material in a four-faced linear braid that wraps around a flexible LED strip. This segmented structure was inspired by Korean stone pagodas that rise in majesty and grandeur, characteristics carried by this string lamp. These two objects, part of the Slow series of artworks, embody the ingenuity and creativity that spring from combining modern material science and traditional craftsmanship to produce breathtaking designs that do no harm to the planet in return.
I truly appreciate a well-designed and functional lighting design with some aesthetic value. But besides these three holy grails, it also helps if the light is compact and doesn’t occupy too much precious real estate on your desk, bedside table, or wherever we place it. Besides that, a well-designed lighting fixture should not only have the ability to illuminate any living space but also add that extra oomph factor! I mean, of course, we need them to see in the dark, but as highly functional as they should be, a lighting fixture also needs to be aesthetically pleasing, adding an attractive and visually soothing element to your home or office space. And, we’ve curated a bunch of compact and exceptional lighting designs that will make excellent additions to your home.
1. MINI Sphere
The Sphere in Las Vegas was opened to the public last year and is now one of the most visible buildings on the north end of the Vegas Strip. It has become a sort of a meme because of its massive size, and the hilarious emoji that often looks around and interacts with different objects. YouTuber Carl Bugeja created a homemade version of the Sphere by merging a number of LEDs and some clever programming.
Why is it noteworthy?
Called the MINI Sphere, this little light is a cute replica of the massive architectural wonder. The tiny sphere lights up, displaying varied graphics such as an eyeball, emojis faces, or even the planet Earth. It features a built-in accelerometer that detects when you lift the sphere off the table, and the sphere then makes a scared emoji face!
What we like
Creates a miniature and accessible version of an impressive architectural structure
Creates cute emoji faces
What we dislike
It has less than 1000 pixels, so it is difficult to perceive clear images
2. Japanese Lantern Candle
Meet the Japanese Lantern Candle – a soft and gentle lighting design inspired by the traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern. This lighting product features a billowy pillar shape which casts a calming and ambient aura. The lighting design is created to add some peace and tranquility to your living space, while also being quite easy to move around.
This candle design is designed to be a contemporary take on a beloved Japanese object. It features a tiny and minimalist ethos which doesn’t take up much space in your home. The lantern candle has a rather ethereal-looking glow which instantly puts onlookers at ease.
What we like
Non-melting wax which provides a surreal clarity on the candle
It is handcrafted by artisans in Kurashiki
What we dislike
Since it is a lantern candle, it is a fire hazard and must be kept away from children and pets
3. Anywhere-Use Lamp
This portable lighting design is called the Anywhere-Use Lamp, and it is a minimalist table lamp that offers gentle lighting in a world filled to the brim with large glaring screens and harsh lighting. Featuring a mushroom-inspired head, the lamp radiates an elegant and soft glow, which creates a pleasing ambiance.
The Anywhere-Use Lamp has a modular form that offers impressive atmospheric enhancement, no matter where you place it. It is equipped with six high-color rendering LEDs, which provide a soothing luminescence, converting any living space into an oasis of calm and peace.
What we like
Equipped with 4 brightness levels
It can be easily disassembled, placed in a bag, and carried with you
What we dislike
The lighting design isn’t water-resistant
It needs four AA batteries to function
4. AwesomePre
Dubbed the AwesomePre, this reading lamp was designed for the LED technology development startup MemsLux. The reading light is designed to foster an emotional connection between the reader, and his book after the sun goes down. It is shaped like a big window that you can place on the page you are reading!
Why is it noteworthy?
The AwesomePre utilizes MemsLux’s LED tech to radiate a light wavelength which helps you to read in the dark, creating a private reading experience. It creates the experience of gazing into your favorite fictional world through a compact portal.
What we like
Portable design that lets you read in low light, anywhere
What we dislike
It isn’t very ergonomically comfortable for readers who like reading in a laid-back and comfy position
5. Harmony Flame Fireplace
Dubbed the Harmony Flame Fireplace, this elegant brass lamp allows you to build a safe fire within your home. You can enjoy the experience of an outdoor fire in the comfort of your own home. It uses bioethanol to light up your home, spreading warmth within it. It was built using the same technique used to make musical instruments.
The fireplace was designed to elevate and uplift the mood and ambiance of indoor space. It features reflective surfaces that work with the vivid flames to create a play of shadows and lights, forming a decorative piece that is quite aesthetically appealing as well.
What we like
You can enjoy a warm and lovely fire safely within your own home
What we dislike
Since it is powered by bioethanol, there is a risk of fuel dependency, since you need to purchase fuel again and again
6. Tomori Lantern Kit
Say hello to the Tomori Lantern Kit – a unique kit that helps you build your own little lantern. Once you’re done using the lantern, you can easily put it aside. The lantern kit cannot be utilized as a ready-made lantern, and you can collapse it once used. A conventional flashlight can be integrated into the lantern.
The Tomori Lantern includes a foldable cardboard piece as the base of the kit, and as a flashlight holder, while providing structure to the lamp. It includes an LED flashlight which you can use separately when it isn’t fitted within the lamp. However, the base can support any other cylindrical flashlight as well.
What we like
You can fold the kit into a flat A4-sized package, and pack it away
Has a portable and easy-to-carry form
What we dislike
The Tomori Lantern Kit cannot withstand rain and other harsh weather conditions
7. Port Collection
Called the Port Collection, this ethereal-looking lighting collection is designed by Tom Fereday and Rakumba. It includes two shapes – the circular Round design, and a lozenge-shaped Stadium design. You can pick a tabletop or a wall-mounted version, and each variant is equipped with a solid glass block and a metal base.
Why is it noteworthy?
The metal base offers support to the glass block which features an intriguing conical shape, marked by an internal stepped form. This rather interesting form facilitates the refraction of light when switched on, creating a mesmerizing and alluring effect that draws attention.
What we like
The lighting designs have an otherworldly appeal to them and will make interesting additions to your home
What we dislike
Since they’re made from glass, they must be handled with care and could be easily damaged
8. Matin Lamp
Called the Matin Lamp, this rather quizzical-looking lamp was designed by Inga Hempe. The lighting design is intended to be a contemporary and refreshing interpretation of a common lighting piece that utilizes a steel wire frame to condense the form to its most basic and raw. The result is a unique lamp with a design language of its own that seems quite familiar.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Matin Lamp features a unique pleated lampshade which offers a distinctive and impressive character to the lighting product. This lampshade creates an interplay of shadows and shapes, which interestingly contrast with the plain block of color. The lamp would be a welcome addition to any home, sparking conversation and discussions.
What we like
It is designed to be a harmonious contrast of order and chaos with repeating patterns of flowers, petals, and leaves
What we dislike
The lamp may be too quirky and eclectic for some, caters to a niche audience
9. Z Lamp
Meet the Z Lamp, this unique lighting design is truly one-of-a-kind. It features a collapsible design which makes it portable and easy to carry about. It is equipped with a ridged silicone shade, which enables the lamp to expand or contract at will, allowing you to have complete control of the lamp’s overall brightness.
Why is it noteworthy?
If you expand the silicone cover, the lamp serves as a large diffuser, and light is scattered in different directions. Once the lamp is contracted, the diffuser’s size reduces and the light’s intensity is diminished.
What we like
Unique collapsible feature that converts it into an easy-to-carry design
What we dislike
You can’t have the lamp fully expanded but with low brightness
10. Current Task Light
Designed by UK-based Jones and Partners, the Current Task Light is a small and compact lighting design that perfectly merges with the brand’s collection of highly functional and simple products. The Current Task Light is peak minimalism, and it serves as a valuable lighting design that occupies minimum space.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is an award-winning task light & charging concept that serves as a multifunctional product designed to help you with your daily multitasking. The versatile and thoughtfully designed product works well in both residential and commercial spaces. It looks like an ideal addition to your workdesk!
What we like
Co-workers can plug their devices across a big desk and work together
What we dislike
Since it is a concept right now, we are unsure of how the final product will be
Disco balls were a staple of the clubbing scene from the 70s until 90s or until discos were not popular anymore. If you ask kids these days, they probably cannot tell you what an actual mirror ball looks like, unless they’re into all of these “nostalgic” things. Since we’re in a different era, the disco ball is also probably due for a comeback or even a rebirth.
Designer: Studio Élémentaires
For a design studio that has “Light + Movement” as its motto, you can expect a different kind of disco ball. Studio Élémentaires designed Flasher which looks like a modernist take on the disco ball, taking inspiration from the stage spotlights we see in concerts and plays. The movement of the light source adds to the kinetic and hypnotic beauty of this light fixture meant to light up stages and spaces.
Basically you get a large panel-like 25-light grid with 25 perforated discs. These discs move around in continuous motion but in different directions and timing. The lights flash continuously, appearing and disappearing “in vivid chiaroscuro contrast”. The panel itself has a monochromatic look and the high shine aluminum plates give it a shining appearance. There are also pulleys, belt paths, and bearings involved in the structure.
What the renders fail to show is the actual effect of this kinetic lighting on the space that it’s lighting. But I can just imagine that it is not for those that are affected with flashing strobe lights or even those that have vertigo.
Although pearls aren’t the first thing that come to your mind when you look at this chandelier, Waxy Design Studio’s Pearl Chandelier manages to weave a unique aesthetic out of its original starting point. The chandelier comes with multiple lighting elements mounted around it in a ring, creating an almost jewel-like experience. Each individual metal cone or sconce has a pearl-shaped lightbulb inside it, turning the chandelier into a necklace for your ceiling, and making the metal sconces have the concealing appeal of an oyster that just lets you peek in to see the pearl.
Designer: Waxy Design Studio
The chandelier comes in two styles – white or black, with an interplay against the golden metal color on the inside and the golden frame itself. Each chandelier has precisely 20 sconces or lighting elements, made of curved metal sheets. The light sits within the sheet, shining through the opening in the folds. It’s perhaps a very liberally abstract way to represent an oyster, but then again, the chandelier does focus the light both downwards as well as upwards, helping scatter the light in a meaningful and functional way. It does have a stunning appeal too, with the 20 sconces coming together almost like a necklace.
“Each Pearl Light unit encapsulates a delicate balance between the luminosity of the pearl and the protective embrace of metal, mirroring the relationship between an oyster and its precious gem,” says Waxy Design Studio. “This juxtaposition creates a visually striking and emotionally resonant lighting fixture that enhances any space with its unique charm.”
Meticulous attention to detail is evident in the seamless integration of the ‘pearls’ and metal components. Advanced production techniques ensure both the structural integrity of the piece and the delicate diffusion of light through the pearl. The result is a captivating play of light and shadow, inviting viewers to appreciate the fixture from various perspectives.
Lamps are some of the things that you either look for functionality or design. Well, you can always go for both as well but sometimes other considerations like budget, space, and aesthetics will make you choose either or. Portability is not something that you really think about when it comes to this kind of accessories but it is something that’s nice to have. And as we’ve been seeing a lot of flat pack products lately, we knew we would get something like this for lamps.
Tsubomi, named after the Japanese word for bud, is a vacuum-sealed flat pack that opens up and becomes a lamp. It is inspired by a couple of Japanese traditional cultural things: paper-folding and the Shoji screens that we see in doors, windows, and room dividers. It’s basically like a crumpled piece of paper put into a vacuum-packed flat rectangle package that “magically” becomes a source of light once it is unfolded.
What’s interesting about this is that even when unfolded, the paper still shows the wrinkles and creases and that is intentional. The designer actually wants this product to challenge the idea that only those items that are “perfect” in form are considered beautiful. With this lamp, the plain white or grid pattern are able to highlight the wrinkled, imperfect appearance of the lamp. If you choose the grid, you even get a tinted lighting that will illuminate the surface that is lighted by the lamp.
The material used for the lamp is actually a special plastic compound that is used in the aforementioned Shoji screens that we see in traditional Japanese establishments. So with the Tsubomi lamp, you get the best combination of traditional materials and practices but with a contemporary functionality because of its flat-packed form. And you get a portable, pretty lamp of course.
As their name plainly points out, wall lamps are lights that we stick to walls, permanently or sometimes temporarily. Most wall lamps are installed indoors to infuse a space with a specific ambiance, but some are also left outdoors to give illumination at night. There is some degree of flexibility and freedom in the way these lamps can be added, removed, and moved when necessary, but it also makes them look out of place sometimes or a superficial part of the wall. Another design strategy would be to discreetly embed the lights into the wall itself, which is what these odd-looking lamps offer in what could be considered a literal interpretation of a wall lamp.
It would definitely be a magical experience to touch a brick on a wall and suddenly have it light up with a warm glow. While doing that for every brick is impractical and expensive, having a few select spots turn into lamps can definitely level up the ambiance of a space with very little effort. Yes, you could just dig a hole into the wall to install some regular old lights, but the OG Brick makes the lighting look like an integral part of the wall rather than an afterthought.
Technically, they are part of the wall, as these are supposed to be layered alongside other bricks while the masonry wall is being set up. They’re also designed to blend in with the rest of the wall during the day when the lights are off, though they probably won’t match every wall color you can come up with. Variations include stainless steel, black powder-coated, and electroplated brown to cover the majority of brick wall hues.
The bricks aren’t made from clay or cement, of course, but have a hard metal frame to withstand the weight of the real bricks above it. A color-matching mesh covers the actual light element and makes the OG Brick “disappear” into its surroundings in the daytime. Since they are designed to be used in masonry walls, the lamps can be used both indoors as well as outdoors.
The visual effect these illuminated bricks give is both subtle yet also endearing, especially thanks to the warm glow of the lights. Despite blending with its surroundings, the OG Brick creates a pleasing juxtaposition between the rough simplicity of regular bricks and the fine craftsmanship of metalwork. Whether outdoors or indoors, the end result is a charming composition on a wall where a few bricks light up like magic.
Lamps come in all shapes and sizes, but the one thing they have in common is that most of them come in a single piece and are anchored to the ceiling, wall, or even the floor. While there’s definitely nothing wrong with that, there’s also room for improvement when it comes to simplifying not only the design but also their installation and maintenance. Many lamps involve complicated wiring or installing fixtures in places that can clutter the space, physically and visually. This intriguing lamp design solves that in a peculiar way that ends up making the lamp look like it’s floating in midair, creating an atmosphere of magic and mystery in any space it’s in.
The most critical part of a lamp is, of course, the light source, but many lamps also need a way to direct or diffuse the light to make it less blinding. While most designs have these pieces in a single form, there’s no rule they have to be on a single body. Shade, whose name might not reflect its mesmerizing appearance, deconstructs and separates the design of a lamp into its two most basic parts, creating what is probably the most minimalist lamp design of all.
When lit up, Shade looks like a white conical lampshade eerily floating in the air, almost like a stereotypical ghost. Of course, it’s not literally floating but suspended by “capillary-thin” wires that are practically invisible unless you see them up close. But that’s only half the magic because the lampshade itself doesn’t have a light source. Instead, that comes from a small, can-shaped directional spotlight shining upward into the lampshade, creating the illusion of a floating lamp.
In essence, Shade separates the lamp into the shade and the actual light source, and neither is physically connected to the other. More than just creating this bewildering sight, this design also simplifies the installation of the lamp. No need for complicated wiring since the lamp can be set anywhere on the floor where the shade can be hung. You can also place the lamp anywhere as well, though you might want to put it somewhere safe and hidden, just to heighten the sense of mystery.
The construction of Shade itself is pretty simple, with the lampshade made of soft yet durably Japanese paper. This material not only gives the shade an almost pure white surface but also gently diffuses the light to a soft glow. The crumpled paper also gives it a unique visual texture that creates a subtle play of light and shadows, enhancing the lamp’s distinctive appeal even when the lights are off.
