Poetic design

Questioning means asking questions.

From lighting to a table or a shell, all are crying out to be discovered. Why has it been done this way; how does that work? Every design tells a poetic tale. You are invited to interact, and the design encourages emotional engagement. This is what Yanni Timmerman wants to achieve with his designs.

What do you get when you start questioning the desk lamp? Yanni has risen to this challenge. The ‘Ray of Light’ consists of a dualistic unity: on the one hand, an aluminium block, and on the other hand a slender LED rod. These contrast with and complement one another. Solid versus translucent, robust versus slim, rectangular versus round. The cut-outs in the column are designed for inserting the LED rod into. Each position gives a different lighting effect. The aluminium base supports and directs the light. The design reduces the desk lamp to just two volumes, eliminating all the usual parts such as the lampshade, arm, and hinges. The Ray of Light is the sustainable alternative.

De Biloba Shell focuses on dualistic forms and structures ─ with a mono material. The shell revolves around a fascination with mirror images that form an indivisible whole. The halves appear to be each other’s mirror image ─ and counterpoint (as they are intricately interwoven). Thus they balance one another out; one half cannot exist without the other. But if you read back, look ahead? Similitude? Identical is an illusion. Each half has its own character, the cherry wood a different grain and colour. This imperfection makes every shell and half unique. There’s no such thing as perfect symmetry in the natural world.

The Memento side tables are a contemplative design for ‘me moments’. The conical legs jut out through the tabletop. A candle holder is concealed in two protruding legs. It’s a case of unscrewing it, turning it over, and pinning the candle into place. The opened hollow in the legs can be used as a vase. The legs create resting points in the space. The stainless steel is manually tempered, resulting in unique rainbow hues time and again. Beautiful to gaze at endlessly, and perfect for daydreaming. A moment of rest, me time.