EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Tala: A Look Inside the Worlds Most Beautiful Bulbs!
Tala – An Exclusive Q&A with Founder Joshua Ward
We are so excited to share our exclusive Q&A session with Joshua Ward, co-founder of Tala! Lightsource have been Tala’s exclusive partner in the Irish market since 2017 and have proven to be a favourite amongst private and commercial clients ever since. Since forming in 2013, Tala have become one of the most successful decorative bulb manufacturers in the world. The introduction of their NEW light fittings mean that the business is going in only one direction. At Lightsource, we believe Tala create quality, sustainable & unique products that look amazing and pack a punch in terms of LED & manufacturing technology!
Here are 7 exclusive questions that explore behind the scenes at Tala!
Image: Tala studios, London.
Q1. For the design of the new Basalt range, you took inspiration from an iconic natural landmark in Northern Ireland – the Giants Causeway. How did the idea to create a light fitting inspired by this natural material come about?
We were mood boarding distinct patterns found in nature and the Giant’s Causeway was an early favourite in the studio. I was reading Michael Pawlyn’s book on biomimicry at the time too, which was agreat source of inspiration for the whole team. Off the back of the success of the Voronoi design, I thought it would be interesting to explore an extreme geological example of the same pattern here in the UK.
Image: Tala co-founder, Joshua Ward at the Giants Causeway, Co.Antrim.
Q2. What are the main challenges to overcome when launching a new lighting product in a competitive industry?
Time is the biggest hurdle. Great products can take a long time to develop, especially if we are pushing the material and assembly limits to new extremes. The Basalt LED bulb for example is a mouth-blown piece of borosilicate glass, comprising a series of sharp angles to mimic the basalt columns at the Giant’s Causeway. To scale up the production we had to create a lot of custom equipment and there was a fair share of trial and error involved! The challenge and opportunity for launching new products ultimately comes down to sticking to a unique perspective and design philosophy. At Tala, the bulb is the protagonist, and we love to design from nature.
Image: Snapshot of materials used in the construction of the NEW Basalt range
Q3. Sustainability remains a big feature of Tala’s ethos, and you have supported reforestation programmes since your inception. How important is it to be mindful and act on environmental causes?
Tala was founded on the premise that conservation and beauty can work together in harmony. At its core, the brand is aimed at mitigating the effects of wasteful or poorly designed objects for the home. Our impact is predominantly measured in successfully converting homes and spaces to low energy and long-lasting lighting designs. Our reforestation initiative was born out of two desires; to compensate for some of our supply chain emissions and to invest in our sources of design inspiration. We think it’s incredibly important to act on environmental causes. It’s never too late to start and its never finished. We still have a long way to go ourselves, but we think it’s about sharing the wins and being open minded about change. I think that’s why customers navigated towards us in the beginning, and they continue to follow us on our journey.
Image: The Tala team planting trees as part of their reforestation mission.
Q4. Tala are best known for making beautiful, technically proficient light bulbs, but you are gradually increasing your catalogue of desirable light fixtures and fittings. What changes can we expect to see from Tala in the next couple of years?
We cut our teeth as a brand developing high-quality LED bulbs, advocating for pared back, retrofittable designs and expanding the design language of the light bulb. Developing a more rounded lighting catalogue was always on the cards but we didn’t want to rush into expanding fixtures too quickly. You can expect to see more sustainable material stories and lots of unique lighting solutions for all areas of the home. Watch this space!
Image: Voronoi Range | Porcelain Range | Feature Range
Q5. Tala have lights are on display in a number impressive venues and locations around the world. Have you got a favorite installation or project that you’ve been involved in?
This is a tough one! I really loved a hotel project we did in Belize with our friends from Goodee, called Matachica. The scheme used the Voronoi collection to great effect. The Netflix headquarters was a good one, also Idris Elba’s cocktail bar, The Parrot. To be honest, the best projects are the surprises. I’ve seen some of our pieces on Grand Designs and George Clarke’s Amazing Homes, for instance.
Image: The Parrot Cocktail Bar, London.
Q6. How do you see the landscape changing for the lighting industry in the next 5 years, especially with what we’ve seen in happen to the market in 2020?
Our view of the market is based on four key areas of development.
- Lighting and its link to wellness – more science-based research and product design is coming out to support our health and wellbeing.
- Light as a communication tool – lighting is well placed for our acceleration towards connected architecture and living.
- The Circular Economy – the right to repair and design for recyclability will allow new operating structures to emerge.
- Limitless forms and new production methods – the underlying tech and breakthroughs in materials science will allow for even more creativity.
Q7. Finally, what do you think has made Tala so successful?
An alliterative trio – timing, team and tenacity!
The whole team at Lightsource would like to thank Joshua and the team for providing such a fantastic insight to Tala. We are excited to continue to support and promote Tala as a brand and look forward to the release of more beautiful light fittings!
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Would you like more information on Tala products? Our team would be happy to help!
sales@thelightsource.co.uk
+44 (0)28 90 66615