3D Printed Lighting Design for Signify
A concept study combining functional downlight with Philips Hue atmosphere
Wing Light is a 3D printed lighting design concept developed for Signify. The project explored how circular 3D-printed lighting could combine expressive form, Philips Hue atmosphere and practical everyday function in one luminaire.
The result is a horizontal pendant light with a light, wing-like appearance. It combines a functional white downlight with changeable ambient colour, making the lamp both useful and atmospheric.
Rather than treating 3D printing as a surface effect, the project used the production method as part of the design idea. By proposing to print the lamp on its side, we opened up a new direction for a long, horizontal 3D-printed luminaire with integrated light zones and a continuous printed structure.
Good light, changeable atmosphere
Many atmospheric lamps create mood, but do not always provide enough functional light. For Wing Light, this became an important starting point.
The lamp combines Philips Hue technology with a white downlight. The downlight provides clear, comfortable light for everyday use, while the Hue function allows the user to change the atmosphere and appearance of the lamp with a press of a button.
This makes the Wing Light both practical and expressive. It can provide reliable task lighting when needed, and shift in colour and character when the atmosphere of the room changes.
A new way to think about 3D printing
The design was developed around the possibilities of Signify's 3D-printing technology. But one of the key steps was not only the shape of the lamp, it was the way it could be made.
At the start of the project, the printing logic was still largely based on more conventional upright luminaires. We proposed a different approach: printing the lamp on its side.
That simple shift opened up a new direction. It made it possible to think about a long, horizontal luminaire with a wing-like profile, integrated light zones and a continuous printed structure. The production method became part of the design idea.
Rather than using 3D printing as a surface effect, we used it as a way to create a new type of printed luminaire. The elongated body, patterned surface and lighting functions were developed together, as one printed object.
Shown at the Milan Design Week
The Wing Light was presented at our exhibition during Milan Design Week 2024. Developed in collaboration with Signify, the concept showed how circular 3D-printed lighting could move into a more expressive and architectural direction.
In that context, the lamp had to do more than demonstrate a technical possibility. It had to communicate the potential of the technology immediately, as an object, as a lighting experience and as a direction for future luminaires.
The concept attracted strong positive attention during the event. Its combination of functional downlight, changeable Philips Hue atmosphere and an unexpected printed form made it a clear example of how 3D printing can open up new possibilities for lighting design.
A concept brought to life quickly
The Wing Light was developed in close collaboration with the Signify team. The project moved quickly from idea to design development and physical realisation within six weeks.
That speed was made possible by a direct design process, close technical exchange and Signify's ability to print and build the concept in-house. The result was not only a visual study, but a working lighting concept that could be experienced in real space.
What we did:
lighting product design and technical development
Groen Boothman initiated the project and developed the design concept for the Wing Light.
We designed the luminaire, explored the form language and helped work out the technical direction of the product. A key part of our contribution was proposing to print the lamp on its side, opening up a new production logic for a long, horizontal 3D-printed luminaire.
The design was developed in close collaboration with the Signify team, who 3D printed and built the final concept.
Our role covered the early idea, design direction, form development and technical support needed to turn the concept into a physical lighting object for Milan Design Week 2024.
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