Johannes Marmon and Johannes Müller, the designers who launched Jjoo design in 2007, founded Nyta with Fabian Maier in 2012. In Milan, they’ll present their latest addition to the Tilt lamp collection, Tilt Globe. The first to create a lampshade that turns around a light source, the Tilt lamp’s shade moves along a slot which allows it to rest in any desired angle and position.
The original Tilt was later joined by Tilt S, Tilt Wall, Tilt Brass and, now, Tilt Globe. This collection won the German Design Award in 2015, rewarding its innovative composition. While the latest spherical addition has already been shown in Scandinavia, its official launch takes place during iSaloni 2015 at designjunction. Here’s what the duo has to say about themselves, their designs and their preparation for the fair.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: What are your expectations for Milan Design Week?
Johannes Duo: We have been exhibiting at several very different fairs over the last two years and it was our first time for those. It was a lot of fun and we are positive this will be the same in Milan. At Light + Building in Frankfurt we encountered a majority of specialized lighting retailers and lighting designers. In Milan, we expect to encounter those with a more general design interest or furniture/household retailers. We’ll see.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: Is this week more than simply a time to present your latest work?
Johannes Duo: First, we’re presenting our whole range, which will still be new to many visitors. Secondly, it is a nice chance to dive deeply into marketing, selling and creating contacts. That’s always very intense and nice.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: Tilt’s sphere edition came out the same year the collection received the German Design Award. What does this addition bring to the collection and what do you hope those in the design & architecture world will understand and appreciate about this product?
Johannes Duo: The Tilt Globe reflects an even more classical underlying shape. We probably wouldn’t say it’s more iconic, but the pure spherical shape is even more reduced and simplified. Anyway, to our eyes, it presents a coherent and self-evident addition to the collection, following the technique we use to direct the lampshade and thus the light. So far, we’ve experienced very positive feedback on the Tilt Globe, especially from architects.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: How do you plan on presenting the sphere edition?
Johannes Duo: Come and see 🙂 We will be presenting at designjunction, at the Casa dell’Opera Nazionale Balilla, 6 Via Pietro Mascagni, which will be part of the new San Babila Design Quarter, introduced this year.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: What’s in your creative mindset? Are you working with any new materials or forms at the moment or do you have any intention of doing so in the near future?
Johannes Duo: We look closely into production methods as well as materials and lighting technologies and enjoy the process. Presently paper is of interest, LED obviously, and many other tracks as well. Let’s see what will be next! Anyway, we will take the time to thoroughly finish a product and bring it to market only if we’re really convinced.
ArchiExpo e-Magazine: How does having an architect and lighting planner help during the design phase? Should designers and architects work alongside one another constantly?
Johannes Duo: It does add a perspective to the product designer’s approach and point of view. Also, it helps to reflect the utilization of our products and to better understand a large part of our target audience—architects and lighting designers.
