Fifteen or 20 years ago, lighting was something of an afterthought in home décor – people thought long and hard about wallpaper designs and soft furnishings, then boshed up an IKEA paper lightshade as the finishing touch. But these days, Vancouverites are rapidly becoming interested in and knowledgeable about lighting design. “There is a real awareness now of how light plays and people are definitely thinking about it more,” says Vancouver-based lighting designer Matthew McCormick. “Lighting can be the focal point for a design – the inspiration for the whole look of a space.” There’s a burgeoning lighting design scene here, too. “Vancouver is an infant city blazing its own trail,” he says. “We have this pioneering approach – a sense of possibility and opportunity. We’re a port city with access to the North American and Asian markets, and a tech hub, too.”
A lifelong evolution
The 37-year-old Torontonian took what might seem like a zigzag career path, starting as a graphic designer before switching to lighting in 2013. But he rejects any notion that he’s changed direction. To him, his career is an organic evolution that started in childhood. “I’ve always been a bit creative,” he says. “When I was a young boy I would go through comic books, cut out the images I liked and keep them in this inspiration briefcase that I took everywhere and added to all the time. I was always looking at details and would spend my summers inside, sketching or painting.”
Bright ideas
The A’Design Award and European Product Design Award winner, who just returned from a successful showing at Galleria Rossana Orlandi in Italy, continues to look for inspiration in everything, though he likens his work most to jewelry. “I get a lot of ideas from fashion magazines,” he says. “If you think about it, necklaces and earrings are really just little pendant lights and chandeliers.” While the word “chandelier” might make the less interior-design-savvy think of gilded Louis XV pieces, McCormick’s aesthetic is anything but over the top. “To me, the best design is so edited that it’s down to one single message or idea,” he says; an idea in constant evolution – much like his career progression.
Form meets function
The most famous example of McCormick’s work is the Halo chandelier – a deceptively simple glowing ring suspended from confidently thick wires. It’s a piece that showcases why lighting design is a unique discipline: decorative, technical (it’s a circular bulb instead of a globe) and functional – it has to light a space as well as look beautiful. “There are lots of technical challenges in this field. For example, if you’re creating something for a restaurant, the quality of light is very important. It’s not just that the space is well lit, but also factors like colour temperature – you don’t want your steak to look blue-tinged on the plate,” he explains.
Better together
McCormick collaborates with interior designers and brands when he works on a commercial space. One of his most significant relationships is with clothing brand Kit and Ace, which has a policy of connecting influencers to make a community. He created lighting for the West 4th Avenue showroom, is a brand ambassador, and is working with Kit and Ace on a short film that will be released soon.
His position as an industry leader allows him to make creative partnerships with other makers such as Kenny Torrance of Barter Designs. Collaborations with less experienced designers also allow him to give up-and-comers a leg up in the industry. What is his advice to absolute beginners? First of all, he says, take advantage of technology that allows you to try things out on the cheap – he cites the free downloadable CAD software, Sketch, as a game-changer. And then, while you might not need an inspiration briefcase, the key thing for creatives is to keep looking around. “Pay attention to where you are right now, be humble and absorb what you can – even if it doesn’t feel like it will be relevant,’ he says. “Wherever you go, you take your experiences with you, so it’s important to always be switched on.”
The light fantastic
Want more local lighting? These three Vancouver designers are ones to watch, if you can handle the glow.
Filament Design
Founder Joseph Band studied sculpture and applied arts before switching to furniture design and, now, lighting. In terms of aesthetic, he’s broadly minimalist and likes to combine wood and steel. “Paired with steel, wood can be made thinner, and thin steel can be made more rigid with wood,” he explains. He believes there’s a definite Vancouver look. “Vancouver makers often use Vancouver’s industrial history as inspiration for their work, though they seem to be moving from the large, heavy aesthetic to a more simplified or streamlined look – maybe due to the fact that there is a growing market from people living in smaller spaces,” he says. Connect with him via the website, Filamentdesign.ca, or on Instagram, @filament_design.
M.Hubert Ceramics
Emily Carr graduate Meg Hubert is a painter and self-taught ceramicist who got into lighting through working on the series “21” for Vancouver company BOCCI. She describes her aesthetic as “wabi-sabi” (the Japanese concept that aims to find beauty in imperfection). “I’m self taught – I was never taught the ‘right’ way, so I feel like every way could be the right way,” she says. Her most recent commission was for the Yaletown branch of Tacofino. The inspiration? A bit of everything. “I looked to Matisse, Le Corbusier, children’s drawings and ’80s surf graphics,” she says. See more of her work on her website, Meghubert.com or follow her on Instagram,@gooodgrief. Her designs are also available at Neighbourhood Quality Goods on Main Street and Good Omen in New Westminster.
Barter Design
Designer Kenny Torrance’s Sunshine Coast-based company, Barter Design, makes furniture and homeware, but has only just started developing lights. “The reason I want lighting now in Barter is to speak about human interaction with space and energy, and movement within it,” Torrance explains. He’s currently working on two projects: The Shed Series, a collaboration with Matthew McCormick; and The Revolve Light Ring, of which he says: “This is all about sensory LED technology, utilizing our stacked wood blocks with a ring of glass separating them. As a person moves closer or further, the ring of light between rises and falls.” Find out more about Barter Design at barterdesign.ca and follow on Instagram, @barter.bc.
