We talk to WantedDesign Launch Pad Lighting Winner, designer Hanae Baruchel of LALAYA Design.

We were proud to be a sponsor of WantedDesign’s 2018 Launch Pad, which was chock full of awesome designs from around the globe. The 2018 Launch Pad jury included Karen Hong, Buyer for Design Within Reach; Giulio Cappellini, Art Director of Italian furniture brand Cappellini, Katie Stamaris, Director of Product Development for Design Within Reach; Giuseppe Butti, CEO, Luceplan and Marva Griffin Wilshire, Curator and International Press Director of Salone Satellite.
This year, Toronto-based LALAYA Design was the lighting winner, a small design studio led by self-taught designer Hanae Baruchel. I spoke with her to hear more about her unique story, and what she loves about experimenting with materials and forms: I understand that you are self-taught. How did you get started with this technique"
My exploration of concrete started while I was recovering from a traumatic brain injury. So few activities were accessible to me at the time that when I realized working with my hands was something I could sustain for more than 15 minutes per day I got very excited. One of my first projects was a bedside table, which I decided to make out of concrete because the material was readily available, and it was something I felt I could do from my own house. My first try didn?t quite work out the way I wanted it to, so I kept experimenting with the material and pushing the boundaries...