Designed for a client whose identity is centered around the dragonfly, or libélula

Design Intent

“Las libélulas representan equilibrio, transformación y belleza.” A quote from my client, (Dragonflies represent balance, transformation, and beauty). This luminaire embodies this sentiment through delicate materials and organic forms, creating a sense of metamorphosis and movement. I was mindful of the tonal shifts created by the dragonflies' colors, which represent Derly Skin's color palette. In contrast, the vine-like structure introduces a quality of growth through the repetitive texture. The addition of Swarovski crystals refracting against the light source is also intentional, symbolizing drips of water that glimmer in nature.

Inspiration

I discovered this tree branch on the sidewalk of manhattan near a very busy street. It was so out of place and so elegantly broken. The scene felt very intentional, but I could never be sure. The leaves that were preserved on the branch still had life to them, and the vibrant pink flowers still maintained their shape. While everything around this enviornment was concrete and grey, this piece of nature was so unique and engrained in my memory.

I was inspired to create a delicate design for my luminaire that gave this feeling of life and color to any room.

Reference

Derly Skin’s color palette consists of earth tones: blue and green. Her signature dragonfly motif has a character that doesn’t just restrict it to one space, it shows the movement in the moment. The visual language of Derly Skin is very grounded in nature, and Derly’s words are representative of how important that is. The passion behind her business naturally informed my creative direction in this project.

Form Studies Presented to Client

Observing my client’s etheral aesthetic, I felt it would be appropriate to propose the ideas through a moodboard of sketches. I also created physical models using wires and beads to assemble versitile forms that would be fit for a etheral-inspired luminaire. My inspiration stemmed from organic forms and playful uses of light to embody nature.

Model 1

Ends of the vines bending inward, as if manuvered by the dragonflies.

Model 2

Suspended dragonflies flying upward into the cord.

Model 3 & Model 4

Dense branching structure in bronze and silver, creating a tone with dragonflies surrounding the bottom of the vessel.

Model 5

-Symmetrical branching inspired by botanical forms and nature’s architecture

Model 6

-Creates a sense of continuous growth through the asymmetrical form.

Form Development

Process

I created a template on Adobe Illustrator that I fully laser cut on 1/8 inch acrylic pieces that fit the color scheme of green and blue. I puzzled individual pieces of dragonfly wings together to grant the illusion of a dragonfly moving around the delicate branch. I beaded the wire strands and wrapped them in a series of curvatures that give the natural sense of delicate beauty, which represents the brand of Derly Skincare.

Luminaire

TO CASCADING CORAL︎