Airom Lamp

The project originally began as an exploration of how to visualize air. Air is always around us, yet we rarely notice its presence because it is invisible. I was interested in making this invisible element perceptible through design. As I developed the project, however, my perspective gradually changed. Instead of simply visualizing air, I began to ask whether air itself could become the force that generates form. Through a series of experiments with air pressure, I realized that air was not just a medium but an active material capable of shaping the object itself. That realization fundamentally changed the direction of my research. Rather than imposing a predetermined form, I started designing a process in which the behavior of air could influence the final shape. This shift allowed me to move beyond designing with materials to designing through a natural phenomenon. For me, Airom Lamp is not just a lighting object—it is an exploration of how an invisible element can redefine our understanding of materiality and form.

One of my goals with Airom Lamp was to transform the user from a passive consumer into an active participant in the design. By inflating the lamp with air, the user helps create its final form, making each piece unique through their own interaction. I believe this process creates a stronger emotional connection with the object. Rather than simply using a finished product, people become part of its creation, and that experience gives the lamp a more personal meaning. I’m also interested in the imagination that the organic shape can inspire. Just as people look at clouds and each person sees something different, I hope the form of the lamp encourages individual interpretation. There is no single correct shape or meaning. Instead, the lamp leaves room for each person to discover their own associations, memories, or emotions. I hope this changes the way people relate not only to the object but also to the spaces they inhabit. Instead of seeing lighting as a purely functional product, I want it to become something that invites interaction, imagination, and a deeper awareness of our everyday environment.

Tracing paper was essential to the concept because of its unique combination of delicacy and functionality. I chose tracing paper because I wanted to create a soft, diffused quality of light. Its translucency gives the lamp a gentle presence that complements the concept of air. Once I selected the material, the challenge became how to allow such a delicate material to change shape while remaining structurally stable. To preserve the organic form of the lamp, I intentionally avoided using an internal frame inside the shade. Instead, I focused on developing the connections between each paper component. Through extensive prototyping, I found that using two different types of adhesive allowed the joints to be both strong and flexible. This means that even though the shade changes shape when it is inflated with air, the structure can accommodate those movements without losing its integrity. Rather than resisting deformation, the construction is designed to adapt to it. This process taught me that structural stability does not always come from rigid reinforcement. Sometimes, it comes from understanding the behavior of a material and designing a system that works with its natural properties rather than against them. I think this idea is central to Airom Lamp.