Luxblade Luminária Inteligente by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie

Luxblade Luminária Inteligente by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Ferro in Design de Produtos e Acessórios de Iluminação Competition Category.

FerroIluminação· 2025

Luxblade Luminária Inteligente

by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie

Client: Functional Form Flock Allies

A' Design Award de Ferro Winner in Iluminação Category

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Verified Award Winner

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The Design

About Luxblade Luminária Inteligente

A Luxblade é uma luminária inteligente concebida para uso doméstico. A unidade de luz principal, denominada "blade" (lâmina), é uma lâmpada cilíndrica sem o tradicional mecanismo de rosca, que abriga chips de controlo, uma bateria e painéis de LED. A lâmina é destacável e pode ser transportada à mão, fazendo com que a luz se torne um objeto tangível. As versões de chão e de secretária oferecem, cada uma, três fontes de luz: luzes principais, cúpulas de base e anéis luminosos. Os painéis táteis na lâmina permitem ajustar a direção da luz através de movimentos circulares e a intensidade luminosa com deslizes verticais. Uma base magnética recarrega a lâmina.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Ferro

Luxblade Luminária Inteligente conquistou o A' Design Award de Ferro, um reconhecimento prestigiado atribuído a bons designs que cumprem os requisitos profissionais e industriais esperados de criações bem concebidas. Os vencedores do Ferro demonstram grande habilidade, elevada especialização, compreensão especializada e capacidade criativa dos seus criadores. Espera-se que Luxblade Luminária Inteligente seja uma criação muito considerada, admirada e estimada, prática e inovadora. Este design vencedor do A' Design Award de Ferro integra as melhores práticas do setor e tem características técnicas competentes associadas a conhecimento especializado e talento. Pela sua minúcia, Luxblade Luminária Inteligente merece respeito e destina-se a proporcionar melhorias na qualidade de vida que ajudam a tornar o mundo num lugar melhor.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Luxblade lighting project introduces a cylindrical lightbulb without a traditional screw in mechanism, featuring advanced internal components like control chips, a battery, and LED panels. Inspired by making light tangible, users can grab and interact with the light. Both floor and desktop lamps have three light sources: main lights, foundation domes, and light rings. Touchpads on the blade let users adjust light direction with circular motions and control brightness with vertical swipes.
Dimensions & Packaging: Main light unit, the blade: Length 350 mm x Diameter 44 mm
The foundation light dome: Diameter 258mm
Floor lamp height: 1500mm
Desktop lamp height: 1000mm
Tags: Tangible light, interactive lighting, smart home integration, touch sensitive controls, detachable light source, home decor, personalized lighting, LED technology, HomeKit, scifi inspired design
Production Technology: We managed the design and prototyping process in house using CAD and 3D printing. The main light source, "The Blade," is housed in a durable white acrylic shell, while the base and foundation domes are made from anodized aluminum to ensure stability and add the necessary weight. The advanced LED technology is integrated within this structure, and we developed touch-sensitive controls using capacitive touch sensors. The magnetic charging base was also engineered for seamless docking, and the software was built to integrate with Apple HomeKit for smart home compatibility.
Design Challenge: The hardest part of designing Luxblade was balancing its sci-fi-inspired aesthetic with practical functionality. Internally, we faced challenges in making light feel tangible while ensuring the product remained user-friendly and not overly futuristic. Externally, we had to address production limitations, such as integrating touch controls and battery technology in a sleek form. Additionally, ensuring compatibility with smart systems like Apple HomeKit while adhering to safety and tech regulations added complexity. Through iterative design and testing, we achieved a functional yet emotionally engaging product.
Research: Our research for Luxblade blended functionality with a sense of wonder, inspired by tangible light in science fiction. We designed a light users could physically grab and carry. User feedback helped refine aesthetics, usability, and emotional interaction, resulting in a romantic, hands-on experience seamlessly integrated with smart systems like Apple HomeKit, merging science fiction-inspired design with practical, smart technology for everyday use.
Inspiration: The inspiration of this project is the concept of “grabbing” light, transforming it from an intangible element into a physical, interactive experience. The luxblade allows users to hold and carry light, making it feel more personal and portable. By eliminating the traditional screw in mechanism, the design enhances this experience, creating a versatile object that redefines how we interact with light, shifting it from a purely visual element to a tangible, user controlled source.
Project Duration: 2023.11-present. Savannah,Ga, USA and Beijing,China
Operation Flow: Luxblade has touch controls for adjusting light direction with circular motions and brightness with vertical swipes. The Blade, the main light source, is detachable for portability, and a guiding light on the magnetic dock activates upon removal. The base light also turns on when The Blade is removed, providing continuous lighting that can be controlled via Apple HomeKit or manually for a customizable and seamless experience.
Patents: Patent Pending
Team Members: Designer: Menghai Xia
Designer: Siyu Zang
Designer: Weijing Zhao
Designer: Qijun Nie
Designer: Yuqing Xiao
Image Credits: All pictures are works of the team.