Founded by Rohan Blacker in 2014, Pooky Lighting is a renowned UK-based brand that serves as a beacon of creativity and craftsmanship. With a sharp eye for design and a passion for illuminating spaces, Pooky has evolved into a trusted name in the world of lighting. Born from the vision of offering decorative lighting that marries beauty and affordability, Pooky has brought this vision to life. Their diverse range of lighting fixtures embodies a commitment to exquisite aesthetics, innovative design, and unparalleled quality. Blacker is a passionate believer that the right light lifts lives. See the illuminating designs of Pooky Lighting in today’s Maker Monday.
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to start a lighting brand?
Rohan Blacker: I had always said that “When I grow up I’ll design and sell lights”. I had always loved lighting and its endless variety. Anything can be a light or illuminated. It’s great fun!
AJ: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
RB: Colorful, classic, bold.
Pooky empowers customers to design their own lighting with a diverse range of components, fostering endless possibilities in lighting design.
AJ: Can you tell us about a design trend you are excited about?
RB: After years of being cautious and conservative, people are beginning to embrace color. This opens up a world of excitement and possibility. I am not advocating a license to go crazy, and to create Frankenstein interiors, but used intelligently and sensitively, color brings a whole new world of joy.
AJ: What is the most important element in a successful interior design?
RB: Is it too predictable for me to say “The lighting”? Well, that’s the truth. If you get the lighting right all other elements fall into place. Good lighting separates the space, creates rooms within rooms, creates mood and ambiance, and enhances and highlights all specific objects and features of the design.
Vivid, patterned shades, and eclectic bases offer an innovative and interactive approach to lighting design for both consumers and trade professionals.
AJ: Can you tell us about a specific moment in your career that made you feel accomplished?
RB: I’ve been involved in all sorts of businesses over my life, and had had my share of both highs and lows. What I love about designing lights is the moment when, after months of ideas, design, sampling and re-sampling, you eventually launch the piece. The truth is you can never know how it’s going to be received. Sometimes what you feel is one of the great designs, and you are so excited about, can turn no heads at all. And equally sometimes lights that you were not entirely sure about are received with adulation. We get better at reading the market and understanding what might or might not be a hit…but it’s still a gloriously unpredictable game.
AJ: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
RB: The truth is I look everywhere. I can’t even watch a film without studying the lights in each scene – it becomes an obsession, almost a disease. Antique shops and auctions are obviously great for old classics. But equally you can’t ignore the web and sites like Pinterest. It’s all around you, all the time.
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
RB: I’m absurdly lucky to work amongst a wonderful team and brilliant inspiring people. Of course, I love the product, but the people come first.
Pooky Lighting places a strong emphasis on sustainability, crafting enduring products with minimal environmental impact, while also embracing diversity in their workforce and partnerships.
AJ: How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your products?
RB: First and foremost a light, or indeed any piece of design, has to do the job it’s intended to do. Without that, what’s the point? When you’ve nailed that then you can start worrying about the pretty stuff… but you must never lose sight of what you are trying to create.
AJ: What’s your design pet peeve?
RB: Fads, and quirky things. I hate the design that is going to become tomorrow’s landfill. Design forever, and build it to last.
AJ: Style (or design) icon and why?
RB: Terence Conran. He applied such a brilliant logical and commercial head to a great aesthetic. His restaurants followed the same principle and within a decade he had changed the London restaurant scene forever. Basically a genius.
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