Dezeen Magazine

IDEO designs Pallana suspension lamp with adjustable ring lights for Moooi

IDEO's Clark Scheffy and Thomas Overthun describe the "controlled chaos" of the design consultancy's Pallana suspension lamp in this exclusive Design Dreams video produced by Dezeen for Moooi.

The Pallana light is a suspension lamp that supports six ring lights that can be angled according to the needs of its user.

The LED ring lights are finished in powder-coated aluminium and attached to a metal tube upholstered in a knitted fabric.

IDEO Pallana light for Moooi
IDEO designed the Pallana light for Moooi

Overthun, IDEO's executive design director, explained how the light's versatility has both practical and playful functions in a video interview filmed by Dezeen at the firm's San Francisco office.

"It allows you, on the practical side, to adjust it for different purposes," he said. "On the playful side, you can arrange the sculptural aspect of the lamp, where it looks a little bit like controlled chaos."

IDEO's Piro scent diffuser for Moooi
The Piro scent diffuser was IDEO's first Moooi product

IDEO's first design for Moooi was a robotic scent diffuser called Piro that emits scent from an arm that moves autonomously. The device's smooth movements were programmed by a dancer and choreographer.

"A similar mechanical principle of things moving effortlessly and gracefully inspired the Pallana lamp," said Overthun.

IDEO Pallana light for Moooi
Pallana is a suspension lamp that supports six adjustable ring lights

IDEO is a global design and consultancy firm that was founded in 1991 by David Kelley. Its work spans design-focussed consultancy for private businesses and policymakers, with a wide range of specialisms including brand communications, sustainability and product design.

The company has developed concepts for communal self-driving cars, water-purifying bicycles and a digital kitchen table that suggests recipes based on available leftovers.

IDEO Pallana light for Moooi
The ring lights are encased in powder-coated aluminium

"The big thing that defines IDEO is the multi- or interdisciplinary approach," said Scheffy, managing director and partner at IDEO.

"Our clients come to us with a challenge," he continued. "We're known for that human-centred focus and really uncovering needs to find new opportunities for our clients."

According to both Scheffy and Overthun, working with Moooi presented IDEO with new opportunities.

"[Moooi is] on a totally different edge of the spectrum in terms of design," said Scheffy.

"Moooi has offered this playground this professional playground where we can explore things that we don't normally get to explore," added Overthun.

IDEO Pallana light for Moooi
Pallana was designed to be adapted for different needs

This video was filmed as part of an ongoing collaboration between Dezeen and Moooi called Design Dreams, which explores how successful designers turned their dreams into reality.

Other videos in the series include designer Andrés Reisinger explaining how his viral Hortensia chair design was brought to life and Rick Tegelaar explaining how the Meshmatics Chandelier he developed at university became one of Moooi's products.

Partnership content

This video was produced by Dezeen for Moooi as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen's partnership content here.