Lacquer Isikhwama Sefoni by La Sonmai is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Imfashini Competition Category.

InsimbiImfashini· 2020

Lacquer Isikhwama Sefoni

by La Sonmai

Client: La Sonmai

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Imfashini Category

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Colors

The Design

About Lacquer Isikhwama Sefoni

Umbala Wokubomvu (Lacquer) yisikhwama sefoni esenziwe ngesandla kusetshenziswa ubuciko bendabuko be-Lacquer base-Vietnam. Ubuso obuhlotshisiwe bakhiwe phezu kwesisekelo sensimbi bese busibekelwa ngezingqimba eziningi zeresin. Izinto zemvelo ezifana namagobolondo eqanda, amaminerali, igolide nesiliva zibekwa phakathi kwezingqimba. Umsebenzi wenziwa ngesandla izinsuku eziyishumi nane endaweni elawulwa ubumanzi. Izingcweti bese zicola futhi ziphucule ubuso kuze kuvele imidwebo namabala afihlekile. Isongo elivikelayo livikela i-lacquer elangeni nasemanzini. Isikhwama ngasinye silinganiselwa ukuhambisana nohlobo oluthile lwefoni.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Lacquer Isikhwama Sefoni iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Lacquer Isikhwama Sefoni ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Lacquer Isikhwama Sefoni iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Lacquer surface is handcrafted and multilayered art on metal surface. Natural materials including resin, minerals, gold and silver. The product is a graceful demonstration of the traditional technique that requires manual work completely, lasting for fourteen days in an extreme moisture controlled environment with grinding to reflect the hidden drawings under layers of resin. The paintings convey the diversity in cultures and life creatures, delivering human belief of beauty and desire.
Dimensions & Packaging: Each case has different size to fit with specific phones. Types of available phonecases: iPhone X, XS, XS Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro Max. Samsung Note 9, Galaxy S10.
Package: rectangle dark blue box with logo printed outsides. Insides we have a soft velvet cardboard frame to hold tight the phonecase avoiding crashing and falling out of position during transportation.
Width: 10.5cm
Length: 19.5cm
Tags: lacquer art, lacquer phone case, traditional art, customized phonecase, golden phone case
Production Technology: For each product, artisans would select suitable materials and layers. The base layer before applying materials like eggshells, colors, gold and silver is covered in resin multiple times to create different layers of paint. After applying and then drying process, the surface is smoothen by the stones. The most important of the process takes place after the final layer has been applied. The artist will rub and polish different parts of the painting until he obtains the preferred colors of the painting. Since different colors are located in different layers, rubbing must be done carefully.
Design Challenge: La Sonmai has been working with our hearts to bring the finest art . The hardest part is to make a smooth and polish surface without losing the colors and the texture of materials. After serveral times tested, a polish substance was found to apply on the final surface to protect the lacquer from damage factors like sunlight, water. The creativity lies in the form of item, owners can actually use and carry the case to any places as a silent language to connect with like-minded people.
Research: The work involves qualitative research conducting with numbers of artisans and designers to improvise experiments on materials and manufacturing lasted for one year before the product official launched. The objective is to invent a product that conveys the beauty of lacquer and closely connecting to society. Phone case is unusal lacquer ware but easy to emerge and attract attention. Generally, customers are excited to perceive the hardwork of lacquer as a valuable art through familiar design.
Inspiration: Lacquer is most impressive art form of Vietnam as it conveys the Vietnamese culture as well as characteristics of the people. However there are not many artists continuing working on traditional lacquer art. This leads to the fading of the art among artisans and public. La Sonmai is founded to learn, develop lacquer ware, and bring this hidden gem closer to public and to maintain traditional technique to keep the original beauty but shorten the time to manufacture.
Project Duration: La Sonmai was founded in May 2018 and based in Hanoi Vietnam.
Operation Flow: The product is designed not only to function like a regular phone case but also work as a jewelry for owners. It can be used daily with simple operation. It is sophisticated symbol for the characteristic and style of the owner, as well as presenting his desire and faith.
Patents: Patents:"Patented. 0108291393. Le Xuan Truong. 2018. Hanoi Authority for Planning and Investment
Team Members: Co-founder: Duc Anh Vu
Co-founder: Truong Xuan Le
Marketing Manager: Thu Ha Vu
Artist: Quynh Anh Le
Designer: Trang Nguyen
Accountant: Lam Nguyen
Artisan: Minh Le
Salesman: Na Thai
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer,Anh Duc Vu, The Spring Lady, 2018
Image #2: Photographer,Anh Duc Vu, Precious Peony, 2019
Image #3: Photographer, Anh Duc Vu, Golden Dharma Chakra, 2019
Image #4: Photographer, Anh Duc Vu, Peacock Goddess, 2018
Image #5: Photographer, Anh Duc Vu, Amitabha Buddha Statue, 2018