Buster + Punch and the World’s First Designer LED Bulb

Buster + Punch enjoy putting on a show and for this young British brand’s Salone del Mobile debut, it chose to forgo the often formulaic design trade show format. Presenting its wares at Euroluce, the biennial exhibition devoted to excellence in the world of lighting, Buster + Punch made an immediate statement by surrounding its display with huge black velvet curtains. Visitors to Salone del Mobile face the somewhat unenviable task of navigating their way across a veritable maze of design products, prototypes, concepts and creations.

If consumed in its entirety, the total offer is overwhelming; rather people are compelled to pick and choose the areas they will prioritize and those designs they wish to experience. As such, clever brands will strive to capture the attention of an eager audience by ensuring they are unique in their exposition

For Buster + Punch, the use of a massive black velvet curtain veil is tantalizing, effectively building curiosity in the visitor. It is human nature to be intrigued by that which we cannot see or comprehend. Parting the curtains, the visitor enters a vibrant interior whose focal point is a breathtaking chandelier-esque curation of the new LED BUSTER BULB. With a rocking DJ set and tactile product display, the Buster + Punch presentation is a wholly sensory experience.

Launching in 2012, Buster + Punch is a British brand designing things in a way that expresses individuality, personality and charisma. The studio’s frontman, Massimo Buster Minale, is a passionate, authoritative and discerning designer (honest geezer) who proactively champions British manufacturing and product design. Buster + Punch started life in a small garage in East London making one-off custom motorcycles, light fittings and furniture. Much of the work by Buster + Punch is based around precious metals, rubber and lighting, and the brand has a large degree of “rock ‘n’ roll” in its DNA.

Fast forward to the present day and Buster + Punch has launched the BUSTER BULB, the world’s first superlatively designed LED bulb. In recent years, designer light bulbs have grown in popularity as design aficionados have sought alternatives to the uninspired, standard and typically vulgar everyday light bulb. The BUSTER BULB is a noteworthy example of a light bulb imbued with a strong design ethos. It is individual, exciting and decadent.

The recently developed and groundbreaking LED BUSTER BULB was over two years in the making. While many eco light bulbs use compact fluorescents, there remains environmental disquiet regarding their mercury content and overall longevity. Tackling this dilemma head-on, the BUSTER BULB effectively raises the bar in its use of innovative lighting technologies.

Elegant, refined and pure, the BUSTER BULB has allowed the often scorned LED to finally assume its place in the spotlight. With UNESCO proclaiming 2015 the International Year of Light, the BUSTER BULB has the perfect symbiosis.

With its amiable and ambient aura, the new BUSTER BULB’s LED is housed in a teardrop glass cover that is obtainable in three tasteful tints: gold, smoked and crystal. The bulb uses just 1/20th of the energy consumed by a standard incandescent bulb, is fully dimmable and has a lifespan of up to 10,000 hours (around five years). The BUSTER BULB is an affordable purchase and its design ensures the bulb is undeniably a deserving feature in itself.

Massimo is rightfully proud of the brand’s latest achievement, saying that many people thought they were “mad” to tackle the challenge of designing the world’s first designer LED bulb. He remarks: “We managed to build what we think is a great looking piece of design… it could only be a small shift, but hopefully we can finally get people looking at eco-efficient design in a different light.”

Buster + Punch is exhibiting from 14th to 19th April 2015 in Pavilion 13, Stand H 07 L06 at the Fiera Milano, Rho.