LoveFrom, the design studio led by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive, and Japanese tech brand Balmuda have unveiled their first collaborative product, the "Sailing Lantern." This portable light, with its quiet yet familiar beauty, combines precision engineering with inspiration from nature, creating an object that embodies both functionality and emotion.
Jony Ive's project began with his childhood experience of searching for a robust and sensuous lantern for use during yachting, a passion he'd enjoyed since childhood. "I was surprised that there weren't any lanterns that could survive the extremes of the ocean," he says. While his design evokes classic Fresnel lighting, he emphasizes that his goal isn't simply retro, but rather a sense of familiarity born from humanity and creativity.
The Sailing Lantern features a glass-textured LED light housed within a stainless steel frame. Weighing 1.5kg, the lamp is crafted with the precision of a jewel, yet Ive demonstrated its durability by tossing it around in his hand, saying, "This is not a precious ornament, but a practical tool." The petal-shaped dial turns the light on and off with a gentle click, and the textured polyester cord is secured by a stainless steel button that is resistant to salt, UV rays, and oil. He said it will only become more beautiful with age, scratches, and wear.
The lighting itself is also unique. When the brightness is adjusted, the light starts red and gradually changes to blue, resembling a natural flame. This is based on Balmuda's previously developed red and white LED combination technology. When turned off, the light fades gently into darkness, leaving a warm lingering glow, reminiscent of a candle or campfire.
Jony Ive has stated that he values language and sensory experiences in product design. "The word 'lights out' evokes more imagination and lingering emotion than 'turn off,'" he said. "This light is an object that fully conveys the beauty of that word."
The core of this project lies in the collaboration itself. Balmuda founder Gen Terao commented, "This project has significantly improved our team's technical skills." He recalled that to meet Ive's high demands for perfection, "we had to learn a lot of new things to keep up with the precision and finish quality I was experiencing for the first time."
