Designed for Italian lighting brand Andromeda is this lighting fixture called Knit by Karim Rashid and Michela Vianello.
This fixture was hand made by Rashid with interlocking glass modules. Knit by Karim Rashid and Michela Vianello, it covers 60 square metres and is comprised of 80,000 individual glass elements graduating from white to black.
Vianello is responsible for assembling Karim Rashid's modules into this free flowing form.
Implications - With the economic recession still at the back of many consumers' minds, it becomes difficult to think of spending hard-eared cash. However, businesses can still benefit from this by targeting those customers who are resilient in not letting unstable financial times affect their lifestyles. Businesses would be wise to still provide products that offer a sense of luxury for this niche market of select individuals.
Knitting with Glass
The Andromeda Knit Light Fixture by Karim Rashid & Michela Vianello
Trend Themes
1. Glass Knitting - Innovative technique of knitting with glass presents opportunity for artists and interior designers to create unique light fixtures and decorative pieces.
2. Handmade Interlocking Modules - Artisans and craftsmen can take advantage of the trend of creating complex structures using interlocking glass modules to produce bespoke decorative items and architectural features.
3. Specialized Niche Market - The demand for luxury products by a select group of consumers remains steady, presenting opportunities for businesses to offer high-end, custom-designed items that cater to their specific needs.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - The art and design industries have the potential to benefit from advances in materials and techniques to create unique, innovative and disruptive products.
2. Luxury Goods - The creation of bespoke, customized glass decorative items presents opportunities in the luxury goods industry to cater to a niche market of clients looking for exclusive and high-end products.
3. Architecture and Construction - The use of interlocking glass modules to create complex structures has the potential to revolutionize the architectural and construction industries with unique and innovative designs and structures.