Organic light emitting diodes by Kaneka Corporation

Photo credits: e27.

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are touted as the next big thing. But whilst the technology might be approaching maturity, its formal expression in terms of the design of fittings, has hardly been considered at all.

We look at one company's attempts to define an appropriate aesthetic voice for their forthcoming OLED products.

The Japanese technology company, Kaneka Corporation, wanted to explore applications for their new OLEDs. They commissioned ten Berlin design studios to come-up with ideas for new fittings. The studio e27 were one of the companies. They chose to express the apparent immateriality of the thin-film devices, developing a conception that their fitting might float in the air like a leaf drifting in the wind.

Using classic origami techniques, they turned a sheet of paper into a lampshade which is suspended on three 0.2mm copper wires. Positioned over a table the OLEDs illuminate the surface both directly and indirectly producing a bright and comfortable light.

Gratitude Design Lines.