Luxblade Nal Casri by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie

Luxblade Nal Casri by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award in Naqshadeynta Alaabta Iftiinka iyo Nalallada Competition Category.

BirIftiin· 2025

Luxblade Nal Casri

by Menghai Xia, Siyu Zang and Qijun Nie

Client: Functional Form Flock Allies

Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award Winner in Iftiin Category

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The Design

About Luxblade Nal Casri

Qoraalka Buugga: Luxblade waa nal casri ah oo loogu talagalay isticmaalka guriga. Qaybta nalka ugu weyn, oo la yiraahdo "blade," waa nal siliindar ah oo aan lahayn qaabka dhagaxa (screw) ee dhaqameed, kaas oo ku wata jajabyada xakameynta (control chips), baytari, iyo taambooyinka LED. Blade-ka waa mid la kala saari karo oo lagu qaadi karo gacanta, taasoo ka dhigaysa iftiinka shay la taaban karo. Nuqullada dhulka (floor) iyo miiska (desktop) midkiiba wuxuu bixiyaa saddex isha iftiin: nalka ugu weyn, qubbadaha aasaaska (foundation domes), iyo giraanta iftiinka (light rings). Bogagga taabashada (touchpads) ee blade-ka ayaa hagaajiya jihada iftiinka iyada oo la adeegsanayo dhaqdhaqaaqyo wareeg ah, iyo xoogga iftiinka (brightness) iyada oo la adeegsanayo dhaqdhaqaaq toosan (vertical swipes). Saldhig birlab (magnetic base) ayaa dib u shaydhaya blade-ka.

The Recognition

About the Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award

Luxblade Nal Casri waa guuleystaha Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award, aqoonsi sharaf leh oo la siiyo naqshado wanaagsan oo buuxiya shuruudaha xirfadeed iyo kuwa warshadeed ee laga filayo hal-abuurro si wanaagsan loo naqshadeeyay. Guuleystayaasha Birta waxay muujiyaan xirfad weyn, takhasus sare, fahan khabiir iyo awood hal-abuur oo abuurayaashooda. Luxblade Nal Casri waa hal-abuur la filayo inuu noqdo mid aad loo tixgeliyo, la ixtiraamo oo la jecel yahay, wax ku ool ah oo cusub. Naqshadahan ku guuleystay Abaalmarinta Birta ah ee A' Design Award wuxuu isku daraa hab-dhaqannada ugu wanaagsan warshadda wuxuuna leeyahay sifooyin farsamo oo karti leh oo ku xiran aqoon iyo hibo. Dhammaystirkeeda awgeed, Luxblade Nal Casri waa mudan ixtiraam, waxaana loo naqshadeeyay inay keento hagaajin nololeed oo ka caawisa in adduunka laga dhigo meel ka wanaagsan.

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.