KISMAS, a design studio from Lithuania, has taken iconic architectural elements and reimagined them in the form of modern glass block lamps. Designed by Ramūnas Minkevičius, aiming to capture the essence of postmodernist architecture with its graphic patterns and the interplay between light and form.
Image © KISMAS
A short introduction to KISMAS
To me, 'KISMAS' is like a playground where I can bring my ideas to life. I envisioned 'KISMAS' as a design studio focusing on producing high-quality, consistently-executed products. My goal is to create products that would bring genuine joy to others.
How it all started?
I was casually lying on my bed, thinking about changing my bathroom wall into gleaming glass blocks. But as I pondered the possibilities, I realized that even a single glass block could radiate beauty and light on its own. With this insight in mind, I set out to bring my vision to life, step by step.
Image © KISMAS
I started the project when so many fundamental changes were happening around me and globally at the time. I lost my mother, and due to the pandemic, I lost my job, then I plunged into this adventure. The world is going crazy over a pandemic. What is going on here? Some kind of wind of change.
In my project, the glass block also changes into a lamp. So I named my project 'KISMAS', a Lithuanian word referring to the process of change – when an object or a phenomenon is being transformed and changed substantially or acquires new characteristics. This term could be a fair equivalent of the English' flux', meaning 'constant change'.
Image © KISMAS
Why do you do what you do?
The project was born from my passion for design, architecture, and the creative process. There's always something peculiar inner fire inside of me to be creating something. It doesn't matter if the work is a party, a small illegal festival on the coast of the Baltic Sea, a published book, or a tree planted in my garden. I enjoy the process and how an idea turns into something tangible.
Does what you do reflect your passion in any way? How?
Of course, 100%. I'm not a product design graduate or design student. But I have always admired everything visually appealing to me, which I enjoyed very much. Professionally done visuals, like architecture, design, or even a picture, can be very exciting and bring out strong emotions to me. I always have been nostalgic for the aesthetic from the past, during the 50s to 2000s. These sentimental also reflect upon my product without any premeditated. It somehow came out naturally.
Image © KISMAS
A piece of advice for people who are starting their project?
Nothing new. Listen to your heart at the same time, believe in yourself, and don't be easily distracted. It is essential, to be honest, and consistent in your work. Every small detail matters and well-implementing particles will result in the project's success.
Pick your favorite color and why? (This color will be your article color)
White, because white contains all the colors we see. How strange is that?
