We sat down with the charismatic and innovative British designer Tom Dixon, who has made several lighting series that break the boundaries for lighting design. He recently appeared as a hologram at an event to launch his new series of accessories. We asked him some questions on lighting design and his attitude towards decorating with light.
Photo: Tom Dixon
In this interview, we spoke to the British designer Tom Dixon about his relation to design and how he works with design in different ways.
What does light and design, in general, mean to you?
"Lighting is one of the most interesting fields to work in at the moment – it’s driven by big and radical changes in technology and has become more sustainable thanks to the introduction of LED."
"Lighting is one of the most interesting fields to work in at the moment – it’s driven by big and radical changes in technology."
What do you find particularly interesting about working with designer lighting, as opposed to other ways of working with design?
"It seems to me that customers are more prepared to be adventurous in lighting than in other categories of the home – it seems to be an ‘authorised ‘space to be more playful or more futuristic."
What considerations do you have about the interplay between aesthetics and technical superiority, when talking about designer lighting?
"I enjoy working at both ends of the spectrum. In decoration or sculptural lighting and also in functional and technical lighting – they are different challenges but both satisfying from opposite perspectives."
Photo: Tom Dixon Spring Medium Pendant Brass
When is light and design most important for you throughout your everyday?
"The transitional moment when the natural light fades and you can create a new mood and atmosphere for the rest of the evening – lighting up time! "
What does the quality of light mean to you?
"I think it’s not very well understood how much the quality of light can affect mood and create atmosphere because the light is so intangible to people. I believe that people are generally a bit afraid of it and feel unskilled in using it - In reality, it’s a joy to work with."
Can you name some of the typical mistakes you experience when people decorate their homes with designer lighting?
"Using too much downlighting is common modern problem. This can make people look unwell and is also not a flattering way to light a whole space."
Photo: Tom Dixon Melt Pendant Chrome
How does someone use and decorate their home in the best way with light?
"The trick is to use light in many different ways, depending on what atmosphere you want to create – do not forget that as well as downlights, pendant lights or spot lights, there is also underlighting, strip and washes, table and floor lamps or task lights."
Do you have an example explaining what you do?
"Make sure you are thinking about the functions of what you are lighting rather than just illuminating the room. cooking, reading, working, or watching television all require different types of lighting."
Can you share something that you do in your everyday life which clearly shows that you work with light and design on a daily basis?
"Washing a wall with a low amount of diffuse light and spot lighting an object in front (flower vase, sculpture etc.) lighting behind big fixed objects like sofas is very effective."
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