BSc PD
Stacy Banamwana
I’m Stacy, a designer from Rwanda fluent in both English and French with a passion for innovation, problem solving, and storytelling through design. My placement at Litezone strengthened my skills in CAD, sketching, material selection, and product visualisation. I am a committed and adaptable designer whose global influences have shaped the way I approach design, with sensitivity, purpose, and a drive to create products that are socially conscious, user-centred, and sustainable.
Ubumwe
Introducing the Ubumwe lamp, where culture, craftsmanship, and contemporary design
intersect. The Ubumwe floor lamp embodies the rich and layered culture of Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills nestled in the heart of Africa, by translating its cultural heritage through a contemporary design lens. Its name, Ubumwe (the Kinyarwanda word for unity), captures the essence of the piece: connection and cultural significance.
The lamp features striking shield-inspired forms at both the top and base, symbolising the ‘‘Ingabo,’’ the traditional Rwandan warrior shield, reflecting resilience, strength, and
protection.
Each lampshade takes its shape from the ‘‘Agaseke’’ peace basket, a symbol of peace, unity, and community. Wrapped by hand using 100% natural macramé cotton rope, the
shades draw from Rwanda’s traditional weaving craft in a modern context. The rope is
skillfully arranged to form ‘‘Imigongo’’ inspired patterns; bold, geometric lines that pay homage to a centuries-old Rwandan art form known for its timeless elegance.
As light moves through and around each element, it creates more than illumination; each
form reveals a different part of the story. Ubumwe is more than a lamp; it is a celebration of craft, culture, and the enduring ties that connect the past to the present.
IntreLight
IntreLight is a mood lamp designed to offer users a unique and intuitive experience, allowing
them to control and shift the atmosphere of a room organically by simply moving and rotating
the lamp to create different orientations. Each orientation produces a distinct lighting effect,
instantly switching the mood and feel of the space.
The name “Intre,” derived from the Greek
word for through, alludes to the intersecting nature of the design, which was intentionally done to capture the essence of a statement piece, one that subtly but surely draws attention in an alluring manner.
The lamp features a vintage-style LED bulb that brings a warm, retro charm while
maintaining the energy efficiency of modern lighting. This allows users to enjoy the nostalgic
aesthetic of traditional filament bulbs without compromising on sustainability or performance.
Crafted from Jesmonite, a water-based, solvent-free eco-resin; IntreLight embraces sustainability while offering a rich, natural, stone-like texture. This material choice not only adds to its organic aesthetic but also enhances its tactile presence, making the lamp feel as good as it looks. Its earthy, grounded finish complements the interactive nature of the
design, reinforcing its role as both a functional light source and a sculptural centerpiece.