BA Product Design
Maria D'Souza
I strive to create objects with rich narratives that engage and connect people with their belongings. Encouraging considered interaction through playful elements is at the core of my process. My ambition is to create small moments that contribute to a wider sense of inner joy and well-being.
Lull
Lull is a considered selection of handcrafted forms that have been cast in various viscous mediums with unique sensory offerings. These offerings include subtle differences in weight, granularity, surface pattern, coolness to the touch and auditory output when the forms interact with one another.
Lull's core ambition is to cultivate a greater sense of well-being and inner joy by encouraging a mindful pause at points of heightened unhelpful emotions. Stimulating the senses is a widely beneficial method of grounding that can aid in easing some physical and emotional symptoms of anxiety and low mood. By creating an environment where a person may freely interact with several touch-points, there is space for the mind to refocus and slow down to take notice of the sensations present.
This piece does not have predefined expectations for interactivity. In the same way that wellness rituals are subjective, Lull wishes to create a safe space that enables individualistic habits of interaction.
The forms are designed to be discreet and accessible, with subtle symbolic nods to the human condition through organic imperfections and shaping. Lull serves as a physical reminder to be present, whilst also tenderly recognising the complex journey that is working on one's well-being.
Tilt
Tilt aims to create more joy and interaction with lighting by utilising multiple interaction points through both the tilt feature, the interchangeable bulbs, and the sensory payoff that comes with seeing the ball roll and hearing its satisfying click. The interchangeable nature of the bulbs allows for creative freedom in selecting colour combinations that best suit one's personal environment or mood. This also increases the longevity of this lamp by allowing an element to easily be repurchased and changed at leisure, keeping Tilt in trend and out of landfill.
The materials used for Tilt are heavily influenced by 70?s furniture, with a little nod to Mid Century Modernism too. The glass bulbs take influence from popular Murano pieces by
celebrating organic colourful shapes that diffuse light. Greenheart Timber is the star of the show, selected as a responsibly sourced alternative to the historically popular, but now endangered, Teak. Brass offers a luxury luster and compliments the warm tones of the timber to form a harmonious decorative piece.
The main purpose of Tilt is to capture the essence of the retro period within an inanimate object that is capable of harboring personality beyond a simple flick of a switch.