Man Week · Daniel Giffin

Melbourne lighting designer Daniel Giffin working on his 'H' light. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The 'Oko' table light by Daniel Giffin. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Daniel Giffin at work in his Ringwood workshop. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Studio details at Giffin Design. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Daniel Giffin in his Ringwood workshop. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Daniel Giffin is a young Melbourne lighting designer who we've had our eye on for some time.  With an aesthetic distinctive for its elegant restraint, Daniel says he is inspired by design that stands to test of time.  'I focus on creating resolved, balanced designs, without unnecessary elements' he explains, 'I'm interested in integrity and simplicity'. We're particularly keen on his striking 'Limelight' floor lamps, with their beautiful minimal lines and oversized cylindrical shade. Daniel has always been a maker and a problem solver.  'As a little boy tinkering in my father’s mechanical workshop, I grew up inventing and building my own projects from a very young age' he explains. After completing a Bachelor in Industrial Design, Daniel took on various junior industrial design jobs after uni,  and found himself making his own lamp designs after hours, using the laser-cutter and CNC router at his work. He went on to learn a lot more about lighting after taking a job at much respected Melbourne lighting studio Mance Design, before moving to Denmark for a year, where he worked at Lego headquarters (AMAZING!) as a concept designer!  After two years of working and traveling in Europe, Daniel returned home to Melbourne, and completed a small business management course in order to fulfill his dream of running his own business. Daniel credits a couple of key family role models for inspiring the launch of his fledgling  lighting business. 'A big influence has been growing up close to a father who can fix anything mechanical, and an uncle with endless wisdom; a carpenter and great mentor on design and construction' explains Daniel. All Daniel's products are designed from a home office in Richmond, and assembled by hand in Daniel's workshop in Ringwood.  He handcrafts as much of each piece as he can (including all the timber parts and ceramic slip castings), whilst outsourcing specialised tasks like laser cutting and powder coating to a network of local suppliers. Daniel's next challenge will be finding and setting up a showroom of his own!  He's also keen to employ someone to assist him soon.  'Things are getting pretty busy; at the moment I am making custom designed lights for a new restaurant and bar, and a small chain of clothing stores' he says. 'I’m also working on new stock for Lights Lights Lights who specified my Cintemani and Kurvi pendants on The Block, as well as Pino pendants for a house in Tasmania, Custom Limelights, and stock for new stores interstate'. Daniel's lights can be purchased directly from Giffin Design, and from local stockists including Richmond Lighting, Light and Tracks, Lights Lights Lights, and Hermon & Hermon!

'Limelight' floor light and the 'Pino' floor light by Giffin Design. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Daniel assembling his lights. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Daniel Giffin. Photo - Eve Wilson for The Design Files.