Lamp designers are like poets who wander and seize every fleeting inspiration in daily life, transforming the ideas into sketches with the Midas touch, and refine to a sophisticated and timeless work to light up the darkness.
Lamp designers are like poets who wander and seize every fleeting inspiration in daily life, transforming the ideas into sketches with the Midas touch, and refine to a sophisticated and timeless work to light up the darkness.
Li, Hui-Lun is a senior designer in Seed, all these years she has turned from a childlike perspective in early career toward social and environmental concerns. The keen observation has generated her designs in various styles and interpreted new light effects. Among her well received works OLO, LING, HOODIE, SIRCLE series and more, the OLO Φ table lamp has just been honored by the 2021 Red Dot award.
On a chilly morning we were guided by White, to filter through the garden and the alleys she used to walk around, talking about her perspective on design and life.
“Lighting for me seems like some sort of companionship.”
What do you think “lamp” is to you?
–Lighting for me seems like some sort of companionship.
Rather than design electronic devices which may become obsolete as the trend goes, eventually I devote myself in the lighting industry to develop and refine fixtures. I’m always delighted to see how people treasure their daily essentials, lighting is one of them that particularly tends to stay in each family and solidify the relationship between people. So I guess companionship is the core value I’d like to bring into my works.
What do you enjoy most about the designing process?
–My favorite part is the final phase of the job, while simulating my work in various styles of interior to see the products in a different light. I’d know that’s it when it can fit in so many different scenarios and yet looks all good, then my intuition would tell me that things won’t go wrong. Because you can’t literally feel the luminance while 3D rendering, but when the work is put to virtual scenes, it comes so vivid with the light on! So in my proposal I can’t help providing so many scenarios more than requested while team sharing.
The biggest challenges during your career?
–I was quite lost for some time in around the fifth year getting into the lighting industry. At the time, I was so focused on the “lamp” itself that felt strapped by other iconic designs that influenced me a lot. Then I learned to see the objects from a broader perspective, paying attention to the space and interaction with users. This change has calmed me down and led me to break through the stereotypes. Now when I see a design similar to mine, I’d be like “Oh, we are thinking of the same thing!”.
Is there any changing or evolving since your first lamp product made a debut?
–At first, I would get stuck whenever my idea was shot down, but now I can live with it.
Being a designer I have to handle rejection on a daily basis, and as much as I can understand that it’s not the desired outcome being struggled that could negatively affect my performance. Sometimes I was in the grip of an obsession like “it has to be 5mm thick for perfection!”. It’s not easy but now I’ve learned to keep an open mind listening to the comments and trying to balance between insistence and compromise, taking into account both engineer and aesthetic considerations.
I’d like to say to the junior designers who have been depressed by allowing a rejection to knock confidence: “hey stop being upset, just move on, keep on drawing for the next successful proposal.”
What’s your favorite product among your works?
–I think it would be LING as it is well received in the market. At one point I found it was specified by one of my favorite interior designers and that totally blew my mind like “OMG! Is this really my design?” I always see myself as an ordinary person who is luckily doing what I love, turning my ideas into drawings. I’m flattered and exhilarated to be recognized, not to mention by someone I admire. It must be one of my most surreal experiences.
Eagerly soak up something new.
How to stay inspired?
–Eagerly soak up something new.
I spend a lot of time submerging myself in various design magazines and websites such as Pinterest and Instagram for creative ideas, taking different elements and sorting them correspondingly to the space they fit and the texture they contribute. I think it’s also important to “really” experience life. In my spare time I like to filter through the city’s streets, or go for a staycation to spark new inspirations.
If you were going to design a lamp for your child, what would it be?
–I created HOODIE based on the concept of my son and it just came in handy.
When I returned from my maternity leave, I was assigned to design a petite table lamp, then I thought “okay, that’s exactly what I need while accompanying my little boy!”, and here it is. Since the task is specified for nursing, I gave the lamp a hood to be able to change the light direction. I used to dim the light and turn it toward me for bedtime stories, afterwards I would be able to read or have a little MeTime without disturbing him while sleeping. I found it is also therapeutic when kids wake up in the middle of the night, a dim light would comfort them, make them feel secure.
Now my son is getting older and he loves doodling too. Sometimes he would even cheer me on the way to work: “Keep drawing mom, have a good day at work.”
Can you share with us one of your most cherished items?
–I’ve got plenty, no way to share just one.
Turns out I am a bit fetish. As long as I am emotionally attached to something, I can’t resist putting it in my pocket and taking it home ever since I was little. Things like candy wrappers from my crush, a fallen leaf collected by my son on our first trip to the park, pebbles from our family trip, even my little brother’s baby tooth. It’s the fond memory associated with these things that present the most value. Looking through them and walking down memory lane always gives me joy. The downside is that things pile up and I have to give them up at some point, reluctantly.
What do you do in your spare time?
–I like to take a walk in my spare time, and enjoy aromatherapy with my favorite scented candles.
I like walking, making myself a hand brewed coffee everyday. Lately I’ve started to like baking, I’ve shared a lot of cookies and cake to my family and friends. My favorite hobby is lighting scented candles. I love the moment of flash while it’s lit up, watching it slowly burn with it’s open flame and enjoy the aroma filling the room to comfort and refresh my mind.
What would you become, If you weren’t a designer?
–I think I will be a baker or a teacher.
Since I’m always interested in baking. It should be my dream job after I retire. But recently I realized that baking is really exhausting, so I think It’s not suitable as a retirement career. I should do it right now while I’m still young. Or I can be a teacher. At some points, I had a chance to teach computer graphics in elementary school. It was fun and meaningful to help kids. But I was not professional enough to take care of my throat. After finishing the all-day classes, I found myself with a sore throat. So I think each job has its challenges.
What would you do if the world ends tomorrow?
–I think I would live like usual.
Stay at home with my family, watching TV, eating and going to bed.
Even if the end will never come, there are still so many accidents that happen throughout the world every day. I think the most important thing is to cherish your loved ones, seize the moment and don’t leave your life in regret. I used to be kind of shy, but now I feel it’s necessary to express the positive emotion to the ones we care about. As much as I often show my gratitude and compliment, I’m actually creating the cycle of goodness in return to myself.
Industrial designers are like a group of explorers who desperately try to dig and capture every fleeting inspiration, taking in as much of its nourishment as they can, then transforming into functional forms taking in account aesthetic to implement in daily life. The design director in Seed, Meiric, who plays a huge role in how the group reacts and moves forward, considering the balance between the brand value, design, and people from a broader perspective .
Founder & Design Director: Chen, Chao-Cheng (Meiric)
Born in a small village, Meiric loves to doodle and fantasize since he was a child. In his young age when there was an era full of restrictions in 1970, he often dreamed of being a bird soaring freely in the sky. Such a wacky boy turned out attaining his degree in engineering mechanics that shaped his meticulous mental model, and founded SEEDDESIGN In 1991 releasing all creative ideas into the works of lighting. Among his honors are 2019 German Design, and years of Golden Pin Design Award.
On a chilly morning we were invited to Meiric’s house having some tea (one of his favorites), talking about his philosophy on life, and his perspective on design.
What do you think “lamp” is to you?
– Making lamps for me is the intersection of hobby and career.
I’ve always been keen on doodling and drawing since I was very young. As a result I was good at cartography from high school all the way to college. Making lamps for me is the intersection of hobby and career, I can do what I like and do it right for living, that makes me feel blessed and energetic every single day.
When did you realize you love designing?
– I don’t know, it is all in there, somewhere all up in the DNA. If there’s something wrong, I can’t help changing it by drawing. When I was a teenager, I sometimes got bored with those cityscapes I’ve ever seen from books that looked crowded and unorganized. At some points, I used to simulate urban planning like electricity systems, drainage systems and traffic routes to overhaul, even though I was doing that for fun. The fever of adventure raised within me, I just want to do something different and break traditional rules.
When did you decide on a career of being an industrial designer?
– I wasn’t sure till very late.
When I founded SEEDDESIGN, the first work have had a big success, but afterwards the others were not. So one of my clients from Scandinavia named Hans, he suggested me: ‘Hey why don’t you make glass lamps, that looks costy than plastic ones.’ I knew nothing about glass at that time, so I commuted across the towns twice or four times a week, driving down to a hot shop located in Zhunan in order to get the skills of glassmaking. Time after time, gradually I was able to dedicate my solid knowledge of the other materials toward improving the process and equipments of glassmaking. The interdisciplinary learning had brought me a huge benefit not only on my works having superior quality, but also on giving me oppotunities designing some more well-receiving glass fixtures for more ODM customers. Ever since on, I realized maybe I can more or less pay bills by design as a profession.
Are you a romantic or rational person?
– Absolutely romantic as you can see, how many people would buy the work “VULTURE“?
It’s too unique to be appreciated. I knew that, but I still liked it to be able to rotate and play around, so I enabled it. VULTURE to me is a kind of irrational behavior. But I can’t always be like this. I have to consider engineering feasibility, cost, and market demand…various factors that require numbers and logical thinking to evaluate whether or not to launch a product.
Among all of your designs, which one have you devoted to it the most?
– The UFO, it was my very first work, for which it made me feel perturbed like treading on thin ice. Initially, I was not sure whether this is going to be a hot product or not, so I decided on sand casting that’s 10 times cheaper rather than mold casting. It resulted in a problem that the castings weren’t precise enough to assemble. So I went to my friend’s workshop to mill and assemble by myself overnight. The next morning till I took off my glasses, I just noted that only my eyes were clean in white. Nonetheless, thank God the UFO was having a big success otherwise there won’t be SEEDDESIGN anymore.
“Just do what you really want to do.”
What’s the style of SEED works?
– I think style is not the factor I’d take into account.
Design jobs are inspired by every little thing. We perceive inconveniences in daily life, try to innovate and provide solutions to meet the needs by generating ideas along with personal perspectives, that’s my understanding of design. I believe there is something more inside, for instance, the heritage of spirit and core value to attain a marvelous design. Take luxury vehicles for example, they might want to convey a message of self consciousness or a particular kind of streamlined shape coming through to merge the brand’s unique qualities. But that can’t be confined to any of styles, I doubt the founders have ever thought about that at the beginning.
As an Asian, what do you see as the design differences between east and west?
– There are various of interactive-structure as you can see in SEED products, that’s the difference. But I think that’s just because of me, with my mechanics background, which has nothing to do with where I’m from. I don’t think about the concept of being Eastern and Western design. Regional concept to me is the beginning of self-limitation, my design thinking is boundaryless. In the past, those European vehicle groups used to design cars with identifiable culture styles, eventually they all turned to global type products in the end to target the globalized market. It’s all about design itself that should be a human-centered approach to innovate.
Can you share an object you treasure the most with us?
– An object that I treasure the most? Actually, I don’t really treasure stuff. Instead, I care more about people.
I like something new and decent, I don’t obsess with old objects, cause goods are made to be used. However, I cherish the people around me. That’s why I still live with my mom, and most of my friends are old friends that I have known for decades.
Two things that matters in my life: “Simplicity” and “Good characteristic”
How do you spend your weekends?
– It’s quite simple in fact, I spend most of my time at home.
On Saturday, after my chores are done in the morning, I take a walk in my front yard enjoying the twittering of birds and the fragrance of all the flowers surrounded, Camellias, Roses, and Osmanthus, by which my wife planted.
After that I normally spend quite some time leaning by the south window in the corner, where sunlight streams through perfectly for my reading. I like to read. I read all kinds of books, particularly in history. It’s interesting to know that human behavior is very predictable with the lessons from the past.
On Sunday, I go for a ride with some other motorcyclists friends, and come home before lunch spending the rest of time with my family: watch NETFLIX, go shopping, sometimes go to restaurants for supper. That’s how I usually spend my weekends, nothing special.
Is there anything that you are particular about in daily life?
– I like things with simple and good characteristics.
That’s not that easy, actually. Take food for example, I like eating fish a lot, but only the fresh ones. It can be so tasty even if you just cook it in a basic way, fresh is enough. Or such as my table and high stools, they were both made of wood. But not some rare or fancy kind of wood, just walnut and beech. The stools were designed and made by myself, I like them a lot that were out of consideration for my needs.
Same as tea, I regularly get tea leaves from a farmer we have known each other for years. It’s not expensive high-class tea, but I like it very much for its good texture in mouth and aromatic aftertaste. Since I don’t eat, drink, or consume too much, I prefer to keep things simple then stay with that.
What would you become, If you weren’t a designer?
– I suppose I’ll be a chief.
My parents ran a noodle vendor when I was little, so I learned by osmosis how to make boring food taste good since I was young. Besides, cooking is a form of creativity, which is very consistent with my characters.
What design would it be, if it is your last design before retirement?
– Well, that’s not gonna happen, cause I don’t think I’ll retire.
I’ve seen some of my friends’ daily life after they retired, farming, fishing, going on vacations, but that’s kind of boring to me. Quote a poem by Tagore: “ I leave no trace of wings in the air, but I am glad I have had my flight.” I think I will keep flying for long, maybe just slower and spend more time enjoy trees and sky.
Lamp designers are like poets who wander and seize every fleeting inspiration in daily life, transforming the ideas into sketches with the Midas touch, and refine to a sophisticated and timeless work to light up the darkness.
Creating a lamp involves not only a design concept that brims with creativity, but also a group of precise craftsmen who can turn imagination into reality – the SEEDDESIGN Research and Development team.
In recent years, more and more people intend to stay away from the crowds and stress of the city. They’d prefer suburban life, enjoying the time at home surrounded by clear blue sky, fleecy white clouds, and even the healing greenery of the mountains and woods, it feels like this little sanctuary where you just want to relax.
Now, let’s take a look back at some designers’ divine works!
｜MIST — Greenery days｜
▲ Photo Credit：U.Z design
Take a breath. We see large floor-to-ceiling windows offering spectacular views of the greenery. The copper cap at the top and the sandblasted glass at the bottom of the MIST are conveying a sense of mountainous and misty view, which adds a refreshing touch to the picture and naturally brings the outside in.
▲ Photo Credit：U.Z design
｜LALU+ — Coastal holiday cottage｜
▲ Photo Credit：YU Design LAB
One can’t help but fall in love with this beach house with its laid-back ambiance and wild scenery. A touch of blue from the sky and the sea comes through the transparent windows and echoes in the charming LALU+ pendant, its shimmering copper color is beautiful against the white tones and fills the house with a gentle and relaxing atmosphere.
▲ Photo Credit：U.Z design
｜MOAI — Colorful and relaxing world｜
▲ Photo Credit：U.Z design
This space is gently washed by the sunlight, and you can enjoy a relaxing time in a bright and fresh relaxation nook. Colorful and neutral tones reflect the clear glass of MOAI and its coppery sheen. It feels like the large opening at the bottom exhales delicate light from the large nose while bringing coolness to the room.
▲ Photo Credit：U.Z design
Start a cheerful and wonderful day along with all the sounds of nature, maybe the waves lapping at the shore or the chirping of cicadas and birds. Take a sip of the cool lemonade soda, casually leaf through the magazine, find the most comfortable way on your own to enjoy the summertime with beautiful light and shadow.
In 2017 and 18, SEED successively launched two representative large-size floor lamps APOLLO MEGA and SOL MEGA. The eye-catching design and ultra-high light quality have well received by designers and quickly spread out in various interior projects.
Apart from mega-size, at the beginning of 2021, we extend both to another compact version, approaching the demand for petit chic spaces in modern life. Aiming to build the direct relationship between the object and people, APOLLO F and SOL F combines superior lighting performance with pure practicality to deliver multi-functional results.
SOL F
SOL collection is a low-key design with elaborate consideration, its ring-like lampshade is finely affixed to a metallic luster balance bar, demonstrating the definition of understated luxury. The floor lamp is now available in a petite size. The new “Retractable Tube Structure” allows users to adjust the height in need whenever reading at the desk or being stuck on the sofa. Built-in sensor dimmer interacts cleverly with users delivering the right amount of ambient light.
Retractable Tube Structure
Rotational nut to adjust the height
Sensor Dimming Function
Touchless control to a suitable light
APOLLO F
APOLLO floor lamp got its tripod firmly supports the huge shade, along with the touch-dimmer allows you to tune the brightness gradually. The flexible luminaire equipped with 140° vertical and 360° horizontal rotation stem that can be set exactly to suit your needs whenever reading at the desk or being stuck on the sofa.
Touch Dimmer Switch
One finger touch to light up the house
Adjustable stand
Steady tripod supports the rotatable shade
The floor lamps are used to be underestimated and taken for granted, yet it actually plays a pivotal role in spaces.
An extraordinary floor lamp can magically make a room being spirited and full of personal style. An additional benefit is, different from pendants and wall lamps, floor lamps can be easily relocated wherever you stay. Its existence has a comforting effect on people feeling warm and secure by the object you are familiar with, which continuously delivering brightness. After all, a home is where the heart is.
Through metallurgy, forging and shaping technologies, mankind has transformed various kinds of mines into hardwares in life with an alchemist touch. In order to make the objects more exquisite and durable, the essentials of metals have been continuously expired with new processes of technology by artisans across generations.
Metals have become an integral and ubiquitous part of the SEED design aesthetic, from raw casting to surface treatment, what are the processes completing a piece of work? In which steps require great skill from dedicated artisans to perform with? In this article we are going to reveal the precision and accuracy hidden in the details.
“ Everything in its right place ”
In SEED, carbon steel, aluminum and copper are often used on the products proform. While in the design process, engineers who have solid mechanical knowledge get involved together applying the right materials according to the physical properties, to approach the original design concept.
▲ Made with aluminum, a material that is strong, flexible, flat and acatable to enhance the heat transfer efficiency toward high temperature of LED modules, MUMU series are shaped by extrusion with a sculptor’s elegance and precision.
▲ The steady APOLLO was also formed with aluminum. On account of sufficient thickness, it could be more durable while practically adjusting the shade.
“ An uncut gem goes not sparkle ”
Welding & Polishing
“Being detail-oriented in design” is consistently self-demanding of SEED.
It’s really common to see the frames and tubes in SEED collections. The key to performing the seamless connection of joints is the finely welding and carefully engineered preliminary process. Each component has been hand-held and polished by various particles of high-speed grinding wheel back and forth. Gradually the surface becomes more and more smooth with the shiny sparkle flashes around. What we are looking for is to give it that real craftsmanship look, ensuring the neatness for the following surface treatment plating or painting.
▲“See the green flame,” the welder says jokingly, “we call it a ghost light.” It is also crucial to wipe out traces of alien material before going to the coloring phase, which is why SEED invents a unique solution in the fire that will be able to remove the slag while welding process at the same time.
▲HUAN is accomplished with multiple welding and polishing processes, meticulously connecting the joints with the outer ring as a one-piece work.
▲ Symbolising the fortitude of rocks, each shade of Zhe is hand-folded and welded to perform the irregular sharp lines.
“ Fine feathers make fine birds ”
Surface treatment has had an instrumental effect, not just on anti-oxidation prolonging the lifetime, but also on how the products are designed in response to the colors and texture demands.
▲ Something hidden within the superlative simplicity, CHINA table lamp is being phased by the extraordinary skill: applying the matt black painting on the preliminary copper plating, then brushing the edge a little just right to the point reveals the antique copper shines in the dark. We are obsessive to give that purity and elegance.
▲The electrical plating builds up a resistant oxide layer that gives the surfaces their handsome glaze and makes them durable.
▲ Color combos with calmly painted shade and metallic luster ring that generates a matt surface with fewer reflections, HUAN geometrically presents gentle and comfortable vibes.
Grinding away the bevels and burrs to realize its essential feature of the metal and coloring on that, a Seed lamp was borned. We simplified our products to the finest, and discarded all unwanted decoration, weaving every lifestyle for homes.
▲ Photo Credit：U.Z. Design
Spirited Light
Most impression about lamps is a quiet and settled home fitting, we believe it can be more than that. The flexible luminaire can be set exactly to suit your needs.
Relationship Between People and Light
In our daily lives, we derive comfort, peace, and warmth from light. In addition to our stance on design aesthetics, the direct relationship between the object and people is the first factor that we take into account.
▲ Photo Credit：U.Z Design
Practical Simplicity
SEED Design Director Meiric, who has solid mechanics background, he believes that giving the fixtures adjustable functionality allows for more exploration of lighting scenarios. In addition to making the use of light more intuitive and convenient, it also encourages the users to touch the texture of daily objects and feel an aesthetic sense of spaces.
Thinking outside the box, we aim to endue luminaires an interactive ability, overcoming the obstacle of development by a series of physical experiments, trying to find a perfect balance between function, craftsmanship, and aesthetics. A symphony of light.
▲ Photo Credit：9’OAK DESIGN
Let’s take a look at what we’ve done for all multiple possibilities of movement and shape.
Patented Structural Engineering Innovation
▲Rotate the DJ base to turn on/off and dim.
CHINA 2004 debuted by its patented structure. The modern concept of “DJ base” is integrated into the minimalist, low-key oriental lines, and the seemingly refined and calm appearance is actually elegantly dimmable
JOJO along the wires going up and down just echoes the playful yo-yo. With the invisible pulley and well-calculated counterweight, the wire length is adjustable by moving it’s opal glass shade veristically, which is impressively smoothly and handily to operate. From 1994 till now, it is still a WOW design when shown in the global fairs.
▲ JOJO allows you to play with light by moving its shades vertically, creating countless compositions
In 2005, the designer was thinking about how to shift the light to multiple positions in order to serve each seat around a table, and then the KAZOKU was born. Rotating the cross bar horizontally to change the arm either linear “-”or cross “+” , the transformer has meeting every user’s need in getting a comfortable light. No matter for work or dining purpose, we are pleased to serve each joyful family gathering to stay emotionally intact.
These three iconic structures have even been well received in global markets for decades, so that they were all upgraded and embedded with new versions to meet recently modern lifestyle.
▲ 2005 Kazoku’s cross-bar debut
▲ 2014 Lalu+ inherits the spirit of light from the cross-bar.
Comprehensive Adjustments
While we are on the subject of flexible adjustment function toward various users scenarios, those SEED classic models will absolutely come to mind: PLANET 、HERCULES and LAITO MEGA . The frequency of human-light interaction can be said to be outstanding among lamps, and the multi-link elements contain in-depth consideration like you had never saw before. SEED products take in account function and usability, that always package with exclusive and patent devices to interact cleverly with user scenario. We offer extraordinary craftsmanship with fine-tuned engineering.
▲ Planet_ solid Copper Gear Construction
▲ Hercules_ 2019 German Design Special Mention
▲ Laito Mega_Fishbone + Circular Rotating Structure
Hidden Extraordinary Craftsmanship in the Fine Details
“Perfection consists in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.” We offer dedicated craftsmanship with fine-tuned engineering. Every piece is meticulously crafted with ardent passion and stringent ethics.
SOL, launched in 2019 Q3, the cutting-edge design elaborates its details of appearance, function, and innovation, expressing the spirit of SEEDOLOGY we abide by.
The metallic bar in the center is more than just an ornament, it’s a balance device which allows the fixture to be able to change the light angle even after installed. Each installation is unique, the multiple apertures of light are arranged to create an endless galaxy of star shifting atmosphere. Ideally installed in groups of two or three, they rotate to the custom configuration dictated by the size and shape of a space, geometrically emits an ambient light.
Followed by Christmas eve of 2019, the SIRCLE is available in elegant sand gold finishing perfectly combine with warm mouth-blown opal glasses. By flipping the opal shade in and out of the metal frame, the designer succeeds in creating the fantacy of floating milky twilight.
2020 is the year we need love and light more than ever when things are mixed up with the unknown. We groped our way through the fuzzy clouds, as a metaphor, DAWN is the first light for us. By the collaboration between the built-in physical structure “Double Helix” and the optical accessory “Zoom Lens”, the light is able to change the beam angle by zoom in and out. In addition to floodlight and focus, it can also be a wall washer, creating a natural sense of art in the space. As the dark clouds recede and the dawn emerges, DAWN is not only beyond the scope of a lamp, but also enriches the natural mission of a lamp.
▲ The head can be rotated up-and-down for soft light or spotlight.
“ While pouring water onto the body of the cement, the craftsmen will polish, and wash it back and forth with water sandpaper. After the surface becomes delicately smoother and the color more even, the washing stage is near completion. ”
Cement, known as binding material with a rough texture, is normally used in the realm of architecture since the Roman Times. In 2008, SEED came out with the first idea to utilize cement as a primary material in our lamps, creating an exceptionally exquisite and smooth surface yet maintaining the raw characteristics of it.
Without further ado, let’s explore the craftsmanship as well as the cement lamps we recommend in the SEED line-up.
Preparation：
Mixing
Temperature is the key
In the beginning, the most difficult variable to overcome is Temperature Change. Cement is easily affected by temperature which results in cracks. This poses an added challenge for us given that lamps are inevitably electrical products that generate temperature. Our savvy R&D team tried a variety of formulas that have been thoroughly tested and refined to achieve the strength and toughness required, as well as efficient heat dissipation in the structural design. The end result is a beautiful Cement Lamp that is well suited for varying weather conditions from hot summers to cold winters.
Vacuuming
Getting rid of bubbles
To ensure a fine cement surface, the craftsman will need to tediously vacuum the mixture cement grout via a special vacuum machine. This process is crucial in the prevention of bubbles as well as chipped corners on the edges of the lamp from forming.
0 %
Into the mold
“Timing control is crucial, yet the process must be steady and slow.”
After the vacuum machine stops stirring, the concrete material begins to solidify. At this time, the master has to precisely control the timing and volume of the grout, keeping it slow, and focusing on every detail, while filling into the mold. Any tiny slip-up in this stage may result in unwanted imperfections such as cracks or holes.
50 % → 60 %
Demold, dry in the shade
“Wait and see, it’s time to uncover.”
Similar to the process in which a cake is baked, the timing of demolding must take place at around 50% – 60% solidification state. The slightest delay may result in an over-dried concrete that is prone to cracks.
When interviewing the Craftsman, we asked the master to slow down his process so we could capture the moment by a film, however, he vehemently objected. With experience and authority, he informed our crew “No, No, No! We cannot delay any longer, not even a few seconds.”
Pay attention to the timing and unmolding of each piece of cement carefully one by one.
Drying Stage
80 %
Wash
Each piece is ever so gently washed by hand, one at a time. With care, the surface of every lampshade is wiped down and carefully patted dry. Each piece is left out to dry slowly in the shade.
When the cement has reached approximately 80% solidification, which feels both moderately soft and hard, the final washing step of the surface beautification process will be carried out. The expert craftsman holds the cement in hand, pouring water on it while washing the fixture back and forth with sandpaper. After the rough texture is gradually eroded, the cement becomes delicate, smooth, and even. At this stage, the production is almost complete.
80 % → 100 %
Sun-dry
“The final step is dependent on the weather.”
With the Washing Phase complete, the next step is air-drying. In this stage, ideal humidity levels are the recipe for success. Previous steps were heavily reliant on the Master’s experience and expertise but this final and very important stage is weather dependent.
In 2008, SEED launched the first cement lamp in the world. Today, the use of cement has become a more common material in the lighting industry. Nevertheless, SEED is proud of our many loyal followers who are still fond of our cement fixtures, because they can still identify the subtle differences as well as enhancements a Seed fixture inhibits in comparison to other counterparts.
Before we close the interview, the last question we asked the Master Craftsman is, “Which step is the most vital in the production of the cement lamp?” It took him a while to contemplate, he paused for a few additional seconds keeping the suspense flowing, and finally he concludes “Umm…. all the steps matter.”
CASTLE 2008
SEEDDESIGN’s cement lamps give life to an otherwise lack-luster material. The application of cement in the context of lighting preserves the natural textures and characters of this raw material yet has reintroduced this with a softer touch and exquisite appeal.
CASTLE MERMAID 2016
With the Mermaid we have merged contrasting yet complimentary elements, cement with metal, creating for an interesting appeal. The lustrous metal adds a visually bright element in space.
MUSE 2018
Cement combined with the mouth-blown glass, is simple and harmonious. Allow the MUSE to twinkle into the night and allow your surroundings to simply shimmer.
Taking a deep breath, a craftsman is blowing air into molten glass. By spinning the blowpipe with their sophisticated hands, a piece of design is well shaped in a minute. This is a very moment destining a glass to be done or gone.
Being time-honored workmanship, glass is one of the favorite materials for the artists. Countless enchanting and diverse objects ranging from glassware to artworks were created of its fluidity and plasticity since B.C. People are fascinated particularly by how the light and shadow refractions play with it. Today, we take on a journey to mouth-blown glasses presented by SEEDDESIGN.
Hand-Blown Glass
Most of SEEDDESIGN’s glass is handmade, mouth-blown by skilled craftsmen. Standing by the hot furnace, the glassblowers dip the red molten glass up to 1200 ℃ with a long steel pipe and move to the mold immediately. They were taught by experience about how much molten to be dipped to make the desired shape.
They start to blow air into the glass and spin the pipe speedily and steadily with hands at the same time to keep the thickness of glass as equivalent as it can. On the other side of the pipe, the glass bubble grows bigger and bigger until it fills up the mold.
The holder opens the mold, cuts off the glass from the pipe and moves it into the tempering oven for cooling down slowly to increase the toughness and avoid hidden cracks of glass. After fine polishing operated in-house exclusively by SEEDDESIGN, a glass of lamp is born.
Since the glasses are made by hands, tiny bubbles, spinning marks therefore exist. None of them weighs 100% the same to one another, instead, these guarantee the natures of mouth-blown glass that every piece of work is unique and irreplaceable.
▲The traces left on the glass during the process symbolizes the craftsman’s spirit.
Colored Glass
When a transparent glass is done in one move, a colored lamp glass takes multiple jobs with 3 to 5 layers which is a big challenge to craftsmen. After a layer of transparency is based, the glassblower dips with molten opaque glass all over top of the base, puts into the mold, and blow air into glass again.
▲ Blowing-up and adding colors into the molten glass at the same time.
Opal glass will be done in three layers, while other colors take five. Usually the inner and outermost layers are transparent that hard enough to protect the color inside. When you gaze at the edge of colored glasses, the opal and the color would be sandwiched in 3 layers of transparent glass.
The colored glass provided by SEEDDESIGN is not painted, but chemical results mixed with different metallic elements. It turns the light into ambiences, each piece differs from one another and does not fade over time.
▲Colored glass emits the gentle light through the multi-layers.
Sand-Blasted Glass
Sand-blasted glass is one of the features of SEEDDESIGN. It presents the translucency in between clear and opal glass. The process of glass being gently scarred by sand could only be done purely by experienced hands. Light becomes softer, glare-free, and gradient like the sunrise in misty mountains.
VULTURE
Designer Chen, Chao-Chen
Designer Meiric always cherishes and adores endangered species of the world, especially birds. Vulture was one of a kind that inspired him to infuse the spirit in his masterpiece. With a different perspective, he discovered the immanence of its purity and goodwill toward the earth.
MOAI
Designer Chen, Chao-Cheng
Illuminated MOAI provides an atmospheric, ambient glow as light moves through the sphere and bounces off the clear glass shade creating a unique egg-shaped reflection. Silhouetted reminiscent of the stone statues of Easter Island, the MOAI is dynamic no matter it is on or off.
▲MOAI
▲ Be with MOAI, breathe in the fresh air, and release stress behind.
FUJI
Designer Dou, Ye Cin
Impressed by respect and love for FUJI mountain in Japanese culture, our designer poetically characterized the FUJI. To express the mild impression, she utilizes a spherical opal glass to interpret the rising sun.
LAITO OPAL
Designer Chen, Chao-Cheng
In keeping with the Laito series vintage heritage the Laito Opal adds softness to the classic, streamlined shape, evoking a subdued glow of years gone by. It can be perfectly positioned for your task at hand. As with the rest of the Laito series aesthetic is never compromised by function.
▲LAITO OPAL the classic appearance reinterpreted by the hand-and opal glass, found a balance between retro and modern.
▲ the milky color is such warm and gentle, let the mouth-blown opal glass melt your heart softly.
MIST
Designer Chen, Chao-Cheng
Centuries ago, many Chinese poets composed beautiful poems inspired by intriguing mountainous sceneries. When standing on a mountaintop, people seem to be close enough to be able to touch the clouds with their fingertips and feel the mists against their faces. In dedication to those inspiring poems, we’ve created MIST in hopes to capture that very moment.
▲MIST lights up the misty feeling like the significant scene of the dawn light appear slowly among the cloud sea.
Thanks to the improvement of LED performance, the era of glass lamp comes back of the high color rendering of light. Through the clear and opal glass, light emits brightness with hazy warmness, while the colored ones paint the rooms with a sense of ritual or nostalgia. Choose one favorite glass lamp, enjoy the moment with your magic beloveds.
Coming along with night, when the body relaxes, the mind relaxes. Treasure the“Me time” no matter reading or meditation, a good bedside lamp can fit in so many different styles interiors for various of calming activities. Following are the tips and our recommendations guide you to choose the right one, sweet dream.
#Take the personal using habit into your consideration.
If you frequently read before sleep, a sufficient light would be absolutely needed to support, for example the rotatable lamp type allows to adjust the light direction to your object without interrupting your bedmate. (such as OLO, MUMU, LING…etc.) Or, if you used to phub your phone before bed, the dimmable light will help to deliver a slight brightness; Even better with glass shade more for atmosphere as the light is soften through the glass to the surrounding, exudes warmth and a feeling of security. (such as SIRCLE, DORA, JOJO LED)
#Proper position matters
Position the lamp at a height level between eyes and shoulders when sitting on the bed, no matter which lamp type like wall, pendant or table lamp, this is the proper height that offers sleepers the comfortable light preventing from glare.
OLO
Designer Li, Hui Lun
Using the basic elements of circles and lines, featuring the cutting-edge design of hollow circles with glare-free LED lighting, the rotatable lampshade with softened light can impressively create practical as well as ambient light. With an easy one-touch-dimmer, you are one fingertip away to letting your imagination run wild and allowing a good dream to begin.
▲ Hollow circles let the OLO shine through.
SIRCLE
Designer Li, Hui Lun
SIRCLE, a symbolization merged Square and Circle, inspired by the East aesthetic philosophy, the circular light ball just like a soft tender mind leaning on a sound substantial frame, chemically shaped a harmonious feature with its flexible body inside-out. Meanwhile, the fantastic performance of light through the opal mouth-blown glass, spreading the beauty of moonlight all over the space.
▲With a flexible “inside-out” design concept, the opal mouth-blown glasses appear to simply float at ease, with no restraints nor inhibitions.
MUMU
Designer Kuo, Keng Dian
Combining the coolness of metal and the warmth of wood, MUMU appears simple, peaceful yet detailed. The round angle of the edge balanced the sharpness of lines, and the 320° rotation is quite user friendly.
DORA
Designer Chang, Ting Ting/ Li, Hui Lun
Oh So Chic! One of the popular collections DORA since 2015, which was inspired by designer Ting’s childhood, who wanted to create a collection that was versatile, interactive, and fun! Dora is adorable as jewelry, being crystal and shine, either pendant or wall lamp will be a good fit for the bedside.
▲DORA P3
Photo credit：御見設計 Yudesignlab
▲Shine through the shining metal and clear glass, injecting the light efficiently.
LING
Designer Li, Hui Lun
With an airy grace, LING provides ample lighting yet remains clean and seamless. A twin lamp with uplight and downlight allows it emits ambient and projecting light at the same time. The rotating design echoed the practical spirit, which is more than beautiful but thoughtful.
▲LING PV
Photo credit：二三設計
▲The upward warm light softens the coldness of the metal, showing a double texture of light.
We start one day in bed, so as the end. Let the bedtime be a wonderful fleeting moment of our own, light up a unique bedside lamp to make a perfect ending to a long day.
Have you ever experienced eyes fatigue and blur after sitting under a pendant lamp for a while? This short symptom of glare is probably caused by improper use of lighting such as wrong hanging height, or poor lamp shade design which does not filter the extra light into our eyes.
The ideal height of hanging lightings
Most dining tables are 75-80 cm height. To prevent the eye discomfort of sitting by the table, the ideal height for hanging lamp is around 70-90 cm from the top of table to the bottom of lampshade, while a slight difference is allowed at user’s convenience and comfort.
For example, for families with small children can benefit more from hanging 70 cm due to their sight lower than adults; hanging over 90 cm is more suitable for tall family members to avoid head collisions during meals and other activities around table.
▲When the lamp hangs too high, the illuminance reduces which may be insufficient for reading.
Aesthetics concerns of spaces
Apart from the viewpoint of optics in practice, our aim in choosing a lamp is no doubt pursuing an enchanting home. A comprehensive study including the appearance of the lamp, environment of installation, or measures of the space is significant to users. Therefore, consulting with professionals like your interior, lighting designer or lighting shop will be a good choice when undertaking your lighting plan.
▲A petite light can be hanged closer to the table without stressing users below, which allows users to look into the details of the lamp easily while enjoying cheerful dinner.
▲Some people favor hanging the pendant lamps lower in order to extend the wire. It optimizes the visual proportion of a space, which looks higher and wider.
“Lighting” is the medium relieving us for home, while the dining table often plays a role in happy gatherings with your beloved. If you have no idea about how to decor your place with lights or struggle between the luminance and glare, take notes of the tips above and you will find a way out. Cherish the wonderful moment with family with an ideal lighting joining!
Sign up for our newsletter
Join our mailing list to keep up on the latest SEEDDESIGN events, products and inspirations.
