Dezeen Magazine

Lamp made up of tubes in front of grey backdrop

Ten lighting designs by students at the University of East London

Dezeen School Shows: a lamp made out of recycled leather from the sports car industry and light comprising a cluster of tubes are included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at the University of East London.

Also featured is a light source embedded inside a miniature brutalist residential block and an undulating mood lamp that is made from industrial tubing and concrete.


University of East London

Institution: University of East London
School: Interior Design and Interior Architecture
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher, Keith Winter, Dominic Eley, Lilly Nguyen and Nayden Hadzhiev

School statement:

"Focusing on personality, materiality and making, the BA (Hons) Interior Design programme at the University of East London allows students' identities to be expressed through playful processes and detailed fabrication.

"The second and third years are split into design units run by Pol Gallagher (Unit Z) and Keith Winter (Unit X), offering a diverse array of project briefs over the two years.

"These challenged students to produce innovative lighting designs while also connecting shape and form to the possibilities offered by different materials.

"From 3D printing and cement pouring to copper-pipe bending, laser cutting and metal welding, woodwork and the integration of electrical parts.

"The different processes involved lent themselves to an exploration of lifestyle, personality, materiality and colour in interior design while aiming to educate on form and function."


Crinkly lamp made from leather

A Cacophony of Creases by Isobel White

"Using recycled leather, White fabricated an origami structure that houses a luminaire, catching all the creases of her lamp in dramatic shadow.

"This undulating leather landscape became an energetic wave of classic luxury.

"The leather was sourced from the offcuts of sports car manufacturers and the resulting lamp is intended for placement in high-end, luxury interiors."

Student: Isobel White
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Student posing with building-lamp design on grey background

Brutalist Beauty by Jospeh Pearce

"Pearce utilised his love of the brutalist concrete buildings of East London as inspiration for a product design range.

"This miniature brutalist structure comes to life when the light is switched on, cascading over the concrete apertures and rough textures.

"The design demonstrates cultural appreciation for the high-rise council buildings of the 1960's and 1970's near where Pearce grew up.

"This investigation was about finding beauty in rugged concrete and how light can change the qualities of such robust materiality."

Student: Jospeh Pearce
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Student posing with humanoid lamp design on grey background

OBO by Mahfooz Abdallah

"Abdallah designed a lamp that references his interest in robotics and industrial design.

"The friendly 'persona' he designed aims to evoke the feeling of having a 'buddy' and friend when feeling isolated and lonely.

"This lamp is posable and can has the capacity to sit and stand – effectively obeying its owner. More importantly, it appears endearing and characterful."

Student: Mahfooz Abdallah
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Lamp on tripod stand in front of grey backdrop

Minecraft by Stoimen Dzhukanov

"Dzhukanov's lamp was heavily influenced by AI and the video game Minecraft. The notion of evolving Tetris to three dimensions for a new generation also informed the design.

"The spilling of light through the negative spaces and apertures gives playful shadow to the room."

Student: Stoimen Dzhukanov
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Student posing with bust-like lamp design on grey background

The Girl Can't Help It by Fernando Claudioda Silva Tagliati

"Tagliati created his lamp as a representation of himself and as a nod to the elaborate drag culture of a bygone era.

"The glamorous makeup and accessories were added to an accurate 3D printed replica of his head – slight adaptations of scale give a more theatrical outcome.

"It represents a tribute to the LGBTQ+ community's ever-growing voice within our society."

Student: Fernando Claudioda Silva Tagliati
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Student posing with sculptural lamp design on grey background

Lets Rock'N'Roll by Immanuel Kisakye

"Kisakye's lamp merged of his two passions and interests – automobiles and drumming.

"His lamp fused the disciplines together in an energetic and playful way to create a sculptural parody of form.

"The glow from the drum kit speaks to a resonance of energy from within."

Student: Immanuel Kisakye
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Student posing with lamps in front of black backdrop

Ethereal Illumination by Ishya Thompson

"Thompson's lamp is an exploration of delicate tapestry and etherial movement.

"The lamp hovers as a ghostly presence while light dissipates over the woven fabric in unexpected and playful ways.

"The theme has spawned a light, clothing and product design range, which composes a family of iridescent place-makers."

Student: Ishya Thompson
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Student posing with lamps in front of grey background

H00mans by Bianca Radoanca

"Radoanca's lamp explores the notion of self and the idea that people wear many different faces.

"She was keen to reference mental health and mental strength as something that could be illustrated through lighting."

Student: Bianca Radoanca
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Keith Winter and Dominic Eley


Tubular lamp on pedestal in front of grey backdrop

The Lucent Helix by Yasmin Osei

"Osei's lamp design was an investigation into organic form and transparency.

"By casting concrete inside flexible pipe formwork, Osei was able to play with the tapering of opaqueness to transparency.

"This allows her light to glow at varying degrees of illumination from within the lamp."

Student: Yasmin Osei
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter


Lamp made up of tubes in front of grey backdrop

Tubular Fantasy by Prince Garcia

"Garcia's lamp is an investigation into futuristic form and massing.

"By chamfering and cutting tubular geometries, Garcia was able to make a sci-fi composition that leaked light in interesting and picturesque ways.

"This lamp takes on a sculptural exuberance and futuristic personality."

Student: Prince Garcia
Course: BA Interior Design
Tutors: Pol Gallagher and Keith Winter

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the University of East London. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.