Luxblade Moli Poto by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie

Luxblade Moli Poto by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Uʻamea in Mamanu Malamalama Competition Category.

UʻameaMalamalama· 2025

Luxblade Moli Poto

by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie

Client: Functional Form Flock Allies

A' Design Award Uʻamea Winner in Malamalama Category

15,538

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #164780

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Luxblade Moli Poto

O le Luxblade o se moli poto na fuafuaina mo le faaaogaina i totonu o fale. O le iunite moli autu, e taʻua o le "blade," o se moli silinita e aunoa ma se masini vili masani, o loʻo tuʻufaʻatasia ai siʻisiʻi faʻatonu, ma peteri ma laupepa LED. E mafai ona aveese le blade ma ave i le lima, ma o le mea lea e avea ai le moli ma se mea e mafai ona faapaʻipaʻi. O faiga uma e lua, o le tulaga i luga o le fola ma le tulaga i luga o laulau, e ofoina mai ai punaoa moli e tolu: moli autu, faʻavae domes ma mama moli. O laupapa paʻi i luga o le blade e fetuunai ai le itu o le moli e ala i gaioiga taamilo, ma le malamalama e ala i solo i luga ma lalo. O se faʻavae maneta e toe faʻafeʻe ai le blade.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Uʻamea

O le A' Design Award Uʻamea na manumalo ai Luxblade Moli Poto, o se faamaoniga mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu lelei e faataunuu ai manaʻoga faapolofesa ma pisinisi e faamoemoeina mai galuega ua mamanuina lelei. O ē manumalo i le Uʻamea e faaalia ai le tomai tele, le faapitoa maualuga, le malamalama o tagata poto ma le mafai fatufatuaʻi o ē na faia. E faamoemoeina Luxblade Moli Poto e avea ma mea ua matuā vivii, mataʻina ma pelepelea e aogā ma fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Uʻamea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili o le pisinisi ma e iai uiga faatekonolosi mafai ua fesoʻotaʻi ma le poto ma le taleni. Ona o lona faatuatuaina, e tatau ai Luxblade Moli Poto ona faaaloalogia ma ua mamanuina e tuuina mai ai faaleleiga o le olaga e fesoasoani e faia ai e le lalolagi se nofoaga e sili atu ona lelei.

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.