Solas | Group Project
A handcrafted lighting feature that blends natural and manmade materials for a modern and luxurious finish
Solas Luxury Lighting is a limited edition line of fifteen high quality, handcrafted lamps. The intense process of research and strategy, concept sketching, prototyping, user testing, and manufacturing culminated in a weekend-long pop up shop organized by our class.
A collaborative effort with designers Nicole Chance and Jack Buehler. Each team member participated equally in each step of the process.
1 Trend Research
We researched trends in interior design such as minimal, geometric form, clean finishes, and dual materiality. Our overarching consumer insight was pulled from Interbrand’s 2019–2020 trend report.
2 Consumer Research
We surveyed a wide variety of family and friends, garnering nearly one hundred responses. This helped us deduce who our target audience would be as we began developing the product.
Where do you purchase lamps from?
How highly do you consider the materiality of your lamps?
How much would you be willing to pay for a unique lamp?
3 Concept Development
We developed product and lifestyle moodboards, then transitioned into several rounds of concept sketching and prototyping.
Initial Concept Sketches
Categorized Sketches (Geometric, Topographic, Interactive)
Initial Prototypes
Revised Prototype 1
Revised Prototype 2
4 Final Concept
We selected our final direction based on user testing feedback, and conducted additional rounds of sketching and renders to refine the final form. We then produced a golden prototype to practice manufacturing techniques and test final materials.
Why Will it Sell?
It distinguishes itself from the current market by catering to a new trend, Escapism. It also expands upon current consumer preferences like dual materiality and geometric Art Deco inspired form.
5 Manufacturing
Once our golden prototype was completed, we moved into small batch manufacturing of the final 15 lamps. This process included CNC machining, copper milling, soldering, sanding, varnishing and sand blasting.
6 Branding
Our final step involved creating a name and visual identity for our product.
