PUTTING PEACE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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CULTURAL IDENTITY THROUGH LIGHT
CULTURAL IDENTITY THROUGH LIGHT
Design Challenge:
Design a minimalist lighting product that reflects and celebrates a cultural identity or personal connection to a specific tradition.
Design Challenge:
Design a minimalist lighting product that reflects and celebrates a cultural identity or personal connection to a specific tradition.
Possible Research Focus Areas:
Symbolism of light in different cultures (e.g., Diwali lamps, Chinese lanterns, Scandinavian candlelight).
How material choices and aesthetics influence cultural representation.
Modern design approaches that blend tradition with minimalism.
Sustainable and locally sourced materials in lighting design.
CLIENT PERSONAS
Note: you are encouraged to find a 'real' client or focus area of your own - this is perfectly fine. However, you may want to use one of the clients below and work collaboratively with them to design a light that meets their specific wants and needs.
Chat with your chosen persona, asking questions to better understand them, their culture and what they would like to be represented in the design of a light.
Aiko Tanaka
Aiko Tanaka
Country: Japan
Age: 34
Interests: Traditional tea ceremonies, Ikebana, minimalist architecture
Wants: A light that feels like part of a meditative space, reflecting Japanese restraint and natural beauty. It should embody ma (negative space) and give her a sense of serenity.
Needs: Materials that are natural and tactile (wood, paper, bamboo), a soft warm glow instead of harsh brightness, and a design that subtly nods to Shoji screens or lantern forms.
Research areas/questions:
What role does light play in Zen-inspired interiors?
How is balance achieved through simplicity in Japanese design?
How can traditional motifs like cherry blossoms or waves be abstracted?
Zanele Khumalo
Zanele Khumalo
Country: South Africa
Age: 40
Interests: Storytelling, music, community, traditional crafts
Wants: A light that celebrates her cultural identity through subtle use of pattern, colour, and sustainable materials.
Needs: Simple geometric or tribal-inspired patterns, minimal colour accents that link to South African textiles, and materials that respect the land (recycled, wood, or clay).
Research areas/questions:
How can Ndebele or Zulu patterns be abstracted for a minimalist product?
What does sustainability mean in a South African context?
How do colours represent cultural identity?
Maria Gómez
Maria Gómez
Country: Mexico
Age: 22 (student)
Interests: Dance, eco-design, folk art, festivals
Wants: A light that celebrates Mexico’s vibrant traditions but is practical and stylish for her student flat.
Needs: Minimal form but with symbolic accents (sun, flower, skull motifs), controlled use of colour inspired by folk art, and affordable materials that feel authentic.
Research areas/questions:
What are the symbolic meanings of Mexican colours and motifs?
How are crafts like papel picado translated into geometry?
How does Mexican architecture use light and shadow?
Luca Bianchi
Luca Bianchi
Country: Italy
Age: 28
Interests: Cooking, design, football, heritage art
Wants: A light that feels proudly Italian but doesn’t overwhelm – minimalist with touches of architectural or culinary inspiration.
Needs: Clean geometry inspired by Roman arches or Renaissance domes, soft golden tones that recall warm Italian evenings, and a design that feels sleek enough for a modern city flat.
Research areas/questions:
What lighting styles are common in Italian piazzas and homes?
How do Italian architects like Brunelleschi use form and proportion?
Which cultural motifs (marble, terracotta, arches) can be used subtly?
Omar Hassan
Omar Hassan
Country: Egypt
Age: 50
Interests: Ancient history, family, technology
Wants: A timeless, elegant light that draws inspiration from Egypt’s heritage while fitting into a modern office or home.
Needs: Minimal triangular or pyramid-like geometry, carved or engraved patterns referencing hieroglyphics, and golden/sand tones that recall ancient monuments.
Research areas/questions:
What shapes are iconic in Egyptian art and architecture?
How does Egyptian history use symbolism in geometry?
How can traditional symbols be incorporated respectfully?
Freja Andersen
Freja Andersen
Country: Denmark
Age: 31
Interests: Cycling, sustainability, Hygge, interior design
Wants: A light that embraces Scandinavian simplicity and comfort while also referencing Denmark’s cultural emphasis on community.
Needs: Functional and minimalist form, warm natural tones, use of eco-friendly materials, and a design that creates a feeling of Hygge (cosiness and togetherness).
Research areas/questions:
What defines Scandinavian minimalism?
How is light used in Danish homes to cope with long winters?
What materials (oak, wool, paper) support sustainability and warmth?
Further Guidance.
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