Original-Copy: ideation for a lampshade inspired by nature

Abstract

The following article looks at nature as a cultural pre-set narrative (or set of narratives) and reflects on how it can influence the design process to achieve a concrete result - a product. It describes an ongoing process that intersects intangible (behaviours) and tangible (matter) expressions of nature with the concept of Original-Copy, as the conceptual framework to develop and materialize a lampshade.The inclusion of behaviour patterns presents poetic and imaginative properties to trigger the conceptual phase of a project, while biomatter was chosen to physically materialize the ideas. In this context, the Original-Copy concept works as the archetype on which a new product can be based.The aforementioned approach has been applied and developed through a workshop, which intends to join the three concepts referred to above: behaviours, matter and original-copy.Firstly, a taxonomy of animals´ seduction rituals and courtship behaviours has been developed, which includes various criteria of classification, such as duration, triggers, interaction, or intensity. This taxonomy works as the catalyst of the workshop, to promote imagination and disruption in the design process.In this challenge, the shape of the object is predetermined by an original form (an archetype), in this case, the renowned Constanza lampshade, produced by the Italian brand Luceplan. The poetic dimension is induced by the attempt of translating the patterns of animal mating rituals described in the taxonomy into the characteristics of the biomaterial. The final objective was for the participants to express themselves through the physical dimension (texture, opacity, smell, touch, taste, bias) of created materials, inspired by animal behaviours, and use it to create the reinterpretation of the pre-existing form of the Constanza lampshade.After explaining the workshop methodology, the article presents the main ideas generated. Selected behaviours and the way of their application, composition of the created biomaterials used to materialize the ideas, as well as the final outcomes are described.An important part of the article is the report on the failed attempts of creating the materials and constructing the lampshades, their causes and the impact on the whole process.In the future, further evaluation and development of the proposed approach are anticipated, through the described workshops in different social and geographic contexts. It is awaited the possible creation of collections of other design classics lampshades, based on distinct triggers, for example on endogenous resources, emphasizing different ways how nature can influence design.