Ceiling fans have looked the same for ages. Mostly boring. They are relegated as the functional part of the home rather than concerning themselves with the aesthetic. The irony is that most ceiling fans are centre-pieces of each room. So, we asked ourselves, why shouldn’t they look like masterpieces?
Our inspiration
Creating a new range of high speed ceiling fans for the entire country comes with its own set of challenges. But we took this as an opportunity and started researching about the different ceiling fans in India. This gave us a glimpse into the kind of choices Indian consumers make. How colour plays a vital role in bringing the aesthetics of the entire room together. How can we strike a balance in the touch of modernity right alongside the country’s heritage. Tapping into such a vast cultural context gave us a perception into how our consumers are more than willing to choose a fan that is well-designed.
The design of a ceiling fan can make or break the look of a room. For the living room, choosing the correct style, varying from traditional to modern, and featuring different materials, colours, and finishes can make all the difference when selecting the right fan. The design of a ceiling fan can add to the overall aesthetic of a living room and complement existing decor elements, such as furniture and lighting fixtures.
“People say that product designers are like radars. They scan the world around. And it is not always for art, it could be for engineering, for science, for art.” – Matthew Tidnam.
The objective
Design is a language, a visual one. So, the next step was to set a language for our range. One that defines our philosophy. Here’s where Matthew Tidnam and his team at Seymour Powell, our design partners, came up with the terms, ‘Fluid precision’ and ‘Static motion.’ It began with a question, ‘Can our range of modern ceiling fans look like they are in motion, even when they are static?’ This set forth how we approached designing the range. When you now look at any of the Nex fans, you’ll notice that they look like ceiling fans that are ready to come alive any moment.
“So, Fluid Precision for instance, talks about the surfaces that go around the products, linking the elements together, making the product a whole. And Static Motion – we wanted to create this feeling that even though the product is planted or stood in a particular single place, the fact that it looks like it is in motion.” – Matthew Tidnam.
Sculpted by air
Have you seen the sand dunes in a desert? They’re not naturally full of ridges and mounts and smooth surfaces, they’re shaped that way by the flow of air. Much the same way, we brought alive our philosophy of static motion with the flow of air. The Nex range is designed as if it is sculpted by air flowing over its blades, cuts, and corners instead of it being designed by a machine in a factory. This adds to the dynamism of the static fan. It elevates the elegance with smooth creases. To enhance the look further, even the colours were particularly varied to make sure the range suits varied preferences and aesthetics.
“It’s incredibly important for us when we create these philosophies and design language systems, the fact that they are relevant in up to five years in the future.” – Matthew Tidnam.
Conclusion
Design speaks. And if done right, it speaks volumes. Everything designed in the Nex range of ceiling fans is made for a country with specific preferences. The common design language of static motion makes it universally appealing and makes the ceiling fans stand out even when static and the varied range of colours makes sure there is just the right ceiling fan for your space. We are sure that these designs are going to make you….their fan.
