David Pompa

David Pompa is an industrial designer based out of Mexico, and the founder of studio Davidpompa.

Born to an Austrian mother and Mexican father, Pompa grew up with a deep appreciation for both cultures. He created studio Davidpompa after graduating from Kingston University in London with a Masters in product design.

One of the characteristics that set apart David Pompa’s work is his love for materials. With his studio based in Mexico, Pompa works with a variety of materials found in Mexican culture. His design process is then guided by these chosen materials. He explores new ways to work with these traditional materials, designing products that suit the function and characteristic of the material.

Pompa’s fascination with Mexican materials started with Barro Negro. Barro Negro is a black clay found in the city of Oaxaca. It has been widely used in traditional pottery in the region for centuries, dating back to pre-Colombian cultures. Using Barro Negro, Pompa created the Can lighting and vase series and the Rajo tile. The simple stepped cylindrical form of the Can pendants and vase flaunts the beauty of the clay. With smooth finished surfaces, the black color of the material shines through, giving it an elegant look. The Rajo tile used a similar approach, modernizing the clay with an X shaped pattern and texture. Yet another traditional material reinterpreted by Pompa was recinto.

Recinto is a volcanic rock used for making sculptures and kitchen tools like the molcajete. Pompa combined the porous black stone with other materials to form the Origo and Meta lamps. For the Meta pendant lamp, a long cylindrical piece of recinto was used, accompanied by black coated aluminum. In the design for Origo, a spherical piece of recinto held below it a frosted spherical light, like two beads in the sky. In both the designs, the porous textured surface of black recinto was emphasized by keeping the other elements smooth, creating balance in the design. For the lighter variation of the Meta and Origo lamps, Pompa substituted recinto with fiorito, a light-gray colored stone.

Amelia, a modern pendant lamp, was given a sophisticated styling by coupling brass with Saman wood. Manufactured with the help of master craftsmen, the warm hued wood with visible grains give an elegant look to the lights. To create the Ambra range of products, Pompa made use of Cantera Rosa, a volcanic rock formed from dust and volcanic ash. The pink hue of the rock lends a softness to the lights, while brushed copper creates contrast. Working as both lighting and decor, the unique designs of the Ambra floor, wall and pendant lighting exhibit the beauty of this traditional material.

For David Pompa, his designs are a way of sharing his love of Mexican culture with the world. By designing contemporary products using traditional materials and techniques, Pompa supports and sustains local artisans. Finding inspiration on the daily from this diverse culture, his creations will surely continue to grow.

Photo Credit davidpompa.com