MY PROJECT

Pluto is a project that is experimenting with the possibilities of inflatable lighting. It uses coloured translucent PVC to create ambience and light quality, creating affordable lighting solutions for nomadic renters and first-time house buyers and challenging the concept of PVC as a cheap kitsch disposable material.  

WHO AM I? 

My name is Toby, and I'm a Designer from South East London. I enjoy the experimental side of design, with a focus always on colour and playfulness. I am about to graduate from Product & Furniture Design at Kingston School of Art, where I have been studying since 2021. 

MY STORY

My work has always been about improving people's lives through design, whether through functionality or a cosmetic appearance that brings fun into someone's home. These ideas have culminated in Pluto, improving people's lives by offering a warm light for a low price but also providing a sense of fun through their puffy inflatable form and two-tone colour appearance.

MY AIM

I want to continue experimenting with Pluto, creating lights of different sizes & material/colour combinations. This experimentation will culminate in 3 inflatable lights, which I will show at the New Designers Show on the 9th of July.

Where will the money go?

Making each light roughly requires a 100cm length of PVC for the centre, and a 60cm length for the top & bottom circles. Electrically, it involves around 30cm (depending on the height of the light) of LED strip, a LED power connector, a transformer, a plug & around 1m of electrical cable.

The money I raise from KUBacker will enable me to purchase different types/colours of PVC, and the necessary electrical components, so I can keep experimenting and fully realise the potential of my concept in the 3 inflatable lights which I will show at the New Designers Show on the 9th July.

A brief breakdown of the costs:

PVC Materials: £250

Electrical Components: £200