Design mandatory question

Question 1

Function

Answer 1

To provide a light source
Several bulbs aids the design to fulfil its function by producing bright light
To act as an ornament

Question 2

The main function of Tiffany’s Lotus lamp is to provide a light source

Answer 2

The design has an open top shade with a wide diameter, this allows efficient light to be omitted which creates a bright, well-lit room.

The light also acts as a focal point in the room as this will draw attention to the light.

Question 3

The lamp features several bulbs, which aids the design to fulfil its function by producing bright light.

Answer 3

These bulbs are enclosed by small tulips situated near the top of the shade.

Having several bulbs ensures that enough light is emitted into the room, the tulips that the bulbs are enclosed in act as a clever design feature that disguise the bulbs and make them appear more aesthetically pleasing.

Question 4

As well as providing light, the lamp also has a secondary function, which is to act as an ornament

Answer 4

The lamp is highly decorative due to the bright, contrasting colours, intricate repeated patterns and range of natural shapes, which can be seen mainly in the shade of the lamp, in the pinks and greens and repeated flower pattern.

This level of detail captures attention and makes the lamp look interesting and aesthetically pleasing, which adds character to a room.

Question 5

Materials/technology

Answer 5

The glass in the lamp is hand cut which is a very time-consuming process
Lead is used between the glass panels
An enamelling technique has been used to achieve a realistic appearance

Question 6

The glass in the lamp is hand cut which is a very time-consuming process

Answer 6

This can be seen in the range of glass shapes in the lamp shade which consists of 8 large lotus flowers and 2,000 smaller pieces of hand-crafted glass.

As the lamp is made of glass, this makes it fragile and easy to smash, however, it is also a successful choice of material, as it allows light t shine through, which fulfils its function

Question 7

Lead is used between the glass panels

Answer 7

This can be seen in the dark outlines around the bright shapes of glass in the lamp shade.

The lead acts as a strong bonding agent to secure the fragile glass in place, ensuring it does not fall out and shatter. The lead also creates a successful stained glass effect.

Question 8

An enamelling technique has been used to achieve a realistic appearance.

Answer 8

This can be seen in the mosaic base of the lamp.

This process created a solid layer of colour that fused to the bronze base, and creates a raised, realistic and delicate appearance of veins within leaves.

Question 9

Techniques/working methods

Answer 9

A pattern cutting technique was used to create intricate and accurate glass shapes
Tiffany used his trademark favrile glass technique to create vibrant colours
Casting was used to create an accurate form for the base of the lamp

Question 10

A pattern cutting technique was used to create intricate and accurate glass shapes

Answer 10

This can be seen in the wide range of shapes in the lamp shade.

This helped Tiffany to break down his idea and turn it into reality, producing a design which was ground breaking at the time due to the high level of detail this helped him to achieve within this decorative design

Question 11

Tiffany used his trademark favrile glass technique to create vibrant colours

Answer 11

Visible in the bright, hot pink of the lotus flowers and the dotted green pattern on the leaves

Tiffany exposed the molten glass to a series of vapours and metallic oxides to infuse it with radiant colours, which helped to make the contrasting pink and green colours used appear more exaggerated, vivid and bold.

Question 12

Casting was used to create an accurate form for the base of the lamp

Answer 12

The tree trunk base was created by casting molten bronze in a mould and left to set, which allowed Tiffany to achieve the desired form, as well as creating an accurate rough, bark like texture.

This technique also meant that Tiffany did not waste materials from sculpting, which was also cost-effective.

Question 13

Aesthetics

Answer 13

The lamp has a very feminine and pretty aesthetic
Tiffany has carefully planned and considered the aesthetics of this lamp
Tiffany’s lamp also has a very decorative style

Question 14

The lamp has a very feminine and pretty aesthetic

Answer 14

This is due to the dominant hot pink colour and floral imagery featured in the shade.

Pink is often a symbolism of love and warmth, as women are more often viewed as due to their motherly nature, and flowers are often representative of a woman’s delicacy, beauty and femininity.

Question 15

Tiffany has carefully planned and considered the aesthetics of this lamp.

Answer 15

Which is evident in features such as the repeated pattern, range of shape and contrasting pinks and greens in the shade

These design features create a very decorative, striking and interesting visual impact.

Question 16

The aesthetic of this lamp is also very delicate and beautiful

Answer 16

The bulbs are encased by 8 tulips at the top of the shade, which is made up of delicate glass petals

This makes the top of the lamp more aesthetically pleasing as the tulips diffuse the bright light nicely and disguise the less intricate and aesthetically pleasing round bulbs underneath

Question 17

Style

Answer 17

The lamp is created in an Art Nouveau style, inspired directly by nature. A key characteristic of art nouveau is the inclusion of natural imagery.
Another feature of the Art Nouveau style which is visible in Tiffany’s design is the feminine, curved lines on the flowers
Tiffany’s lamp also has a decorative style

Question 18

The lamp is created in an Art Nouveau style, inspired directly by nature. A key characteristic of art nouveau is the inclusion of natural imagery.

Answer 18

This is seen in the organic pink, glass petal shapes of the lotus flower in the lamp shade, as well as the intricate veins in the leaves on the lamp’s base.

This creates a natural aesthetic, and brings nature inside the home, which has a calming effect.

Question 19

Another feature of the Art Nouveau style which is visible in Tiffany’s design is the feminine, curved lines on the flowers and leaves on the shade

Answer 19

Curved, whiplashed lines are a typical Art Nouveau characteristic, which makes the lamp appear elegant and graceful

Question 20

Tiffany’s lamp also has a very decorative style

Answer 20

This is created through the highly detailed, vibrant stained-glass in the shade and the enamelled mosiac pattern base

The glass used is of a range of sizes and shapes, and the enamelling technique adds pattern and texture to the base, which makes the design appear extravagant and interesting to look at

Question 21

Target market/audience

Answer 21

This design was made to appeal to a wealthy target market
Tiffany’s designs appeal to those who have an interest in nature
The lamp appeals to those who have extravagant taste in interiors

Question 22

This design was made to appeal to a wealthy target market as this design was very time consuming to make due to the extreme craftsmanship

Answer 22

Many different techniques and materials were used to create this design, such as stained glass, enamelling and casting, due to this, this increased the retail price

Tiffany’s lamps cost hundreds of dollars at the time it was produced in 1900, which a limited number of people could afford

Question 23

Tiffany’s designs appeal to those who have an interest in nature

Answer 23

The use of natural forms, such as lotus flowers and leaves on the shade would capture this audience’s attention

The inclusion of the lotus flowers would appeal particularly to those who are well travelled, and have been to Eastern countries as this is where the lotus flower originates

Question 24

The lamp appeals to those who have extravagant taste in interiors

Answer 24

The shade features contrasting colours seen in the pink and greens, it also includes intricate patterns created by the range of glass shapes. The lamp is also very large due to the shades wide diameter.

These design features combine to create an intricate and striking design which creates a focal point in the room and demands attention, which reflects this audiences personal taste

Question 25

One visual element: pattern

Answer 25

Repeated, curved organic shapes are used in the Tiffany Lamp
A focal point is created within the design using large patterns
A striped pattern is used on the base of the lamp which leads our eyes to the focal point

Question 26

Repeated, curved organic shapes are used in the Tiffany lamp

Answer 26

This can be seen in the natural shapes of the leaves and lotus petals on the lamp shade

This creates fluidity within the design, and leads your eyes to other shapes in the shade, which almost creates movement and leads your eye to each individual detail which captures attention

Question 27

A focal point is created within the design using large patterns

Answer 27

The focal point within the design is the lotus flowers that are made up of organic, bright pink shapes

These are the largest shapes and most vivid colours within the design.
The smaller green leave patterns contrast these, and help the lotus flowers to stand out

Question 28

A striped pattern is used on the base of the lamp which leads our eyes to the focal point

Answer 28

This can be seen on the lily-pad base, within the large, curved stripes on the leaves, and within the straighter lines on the middle part of the design, which is the tree trunk

Question 29

Social and cultural influences

Answer 29

Tiffany was influenced by the arts and crafts movement, in particular the designer William Morris’s use of elaborate flower designs on his fabric

Question 30

Tiffany was influenced by the arts and crafts movement, and in particular, the designer William Morris’s use of elaborate flower designs on his fabric

Answer 30

This is evident in the glass tulips that encase the bulbs at the top of the shade and mosaic stained-glass lotus flowers on the bottom of the shade.

This creates a very naturalistic appearance to design and creates balance and unity

Question 31

Another characteristic of the arts and crafts movement that Tiffany was inspired by, was staying true to the use of materials for design

Answer 31

This is seen in Tiffany’s iconic way of colouring glass, as he didn’t believe in the painting onto glass to create colour and tone, but instead sourced and produced his own coloured glass through the favrile technique he later trademarked

This technique allowed for richer, more vibrant colours creating an intricate and striking design, demanding attention.

Question 32

Tiffany was influenced by the invention of the light-bulb, as before Thomas Edison invented this in 1879, Tiffany was creating stained-glass windows

Answer 32

This invention inspired him to combine his craft with the new invention to create his avant-garde lamp shade designs

The use of light bulbs made Tiffany’s designs more practical for everyday use, as the lamp could now illuminate homes. This increased the popularity and demand for his work.

Question 33

Tiffany was also influenced by his travels to exotic countries, for example, in India and Egypt. These exotic countries were also an influence in the Art Nouveau movement, which was originally inspired by Japanese art.

Answer 33

This influence can be seen in the lotus flower use in the lamp shade.

The Lotus, a national flower in many countries, symbolises nature and wildlife, giving lamps an exotic and intriguing appearance.