Meet Teig, a Tiny Schoolhouse Lamp with Large Character

Some of the rewarding points of working at Schoolhouse, our sister model in Portland, is the prospect to design and convey to life our personal unique lighting. It’s a collaborative course of that requires exhausting work, dedication, and an unwavering dedication to high quality, however we’re so proud that we get to supply lighting the old style approach in our Portland manufacturing facility. Right this moment, we’re taking a second to rejoice a group that has really captured our hearts (and areas).

Meet Teig, a dimmable desk lamp that’s as purposeful as it’s charming. Lovingly named after the German phrase for “dough,” Teig was impressed when our design staff, who, when taken with Ray’s brief bulbous shade, determined to show it the wrong way up. Tana, the designer of Teig and a former Schoolhouse worker, shares, “Iconic mushroom-shaped lamps from previous eras supplied so many distinctive silhouettes, and we needed Teig to replicate that very same sense of playfulness and persona by its form and shade.”

As with each new design, we began by contemplating how Teig would operate and the place it will reside. We took a step again, checked out our present assortment, and noticed a chance to create one thing a little bit completely different. Whereas a lot of our lamps present extra directional lighting, Teig was designed to supply gentle, ambient gentle. Its small scale makes it a straightforward addition to a counter, desk, aspect desk, or bookshelf.

All through the design course of, fixtures typically tackle working names for his or her parts. However when it got here to Teig, the frosted glass shade was affectionately referred to as “dough” by our product engineer, Brandt. Because the staff labored to refine its kind, Tana jokes, “We would like it to appear to be dough… rising.” Becoming, contemplating 2020 was the 12 months of sourdough starters, proper? That playful second led to the lamp’s remaining title: “Teig” (pronounced “tiger,” minus the “r”).

Designing and launching a brand new product at all times seems like a dash, however the actuality is that it’s a marathon—one which spans many months and includes nearly each division in our constructing. From inspiration to completion, Teig took about 16 months to return to life.

Dreaming up our designs subsequent door to the place our merchandise are manufactured means we will prototype utilizing actual parts and tweak the main points—reminiscent of shade and dimmer operate—with the individuals who will likely be assembling the ultimate product. Take the knob—it’s a key function of Teig, and we deliberately made it the centerpiece. Its contrasting shade and outstanding placement enable it to face out, whereas the slight taper makes it simple to know. And, in fact, the satisfying on/off click on provides it a sure appeal.

What makes Teig so particular and completely different is the considerate steadiness of shapes and scale. The dough-like type of the ellipsoid glass shade is each acquainted and comforting, whereas the playful shade choices vary from vibrant hues to extra subdued tones. Collectively, these parts make Teig a lamp that feels each authentic and timeless.

When it got here to selecting the colour palette, that was a observe of exploring enjoyable new combos whereas staying true to the present assortment. Impressed by classic electronics, the colour palette drew from the ’50s and ’80s eras of workplace provides. The nice and cozy impartial colours pay homage to classic calculators and typewriters, whereas the vivid reds and yellows are paying homage to Dieter Rams’s designed home equipment.

Now, Teig is offered in a recent vary of hues that really feel each playful and acquainted. Whether or not you’re drawn to the refined appeal of heat neutrals or the daring vitality of vibrant primaries, every shade was chosen to rejoice Teig’s distinctive form and persona. The tip consequence? A small-but-mighty lamp that’s as pleasant to have a look at as it’s to make use of—able to carry a little bit additional appeal and character to your house.