Softicated

Furniture and lighting that promote feelings of happiness.
The connection between lighting and wellbeing is often overlooked in discussions on interior and product design. Contentment is sometimes sacrificed for drama and experimentation. But it is something being addressed by Softicated, a new Geneva-based brand founded by Cyril Rumpler in 2020, which is producing a range of luxurious lighting, rugs and contemporary furniture designed with the specific intention “to promote feelings of happiness” in the user. Recognising the now undisputed links between wellbeing and connections to nature, Softicated combines the notions of “sophisticated’ with a gentle “softness”, fusing the two to create its name and the vision that drives its products. Each product or collection has a narrative of its own.

Designed in Switzerland and manufactured with elements of hand-craft in Europe, Softicated lighting exudes a gentle luxury through organic forms and carefully considered colours and textures. To acquire a high-end finish, the brand approached Axalta, who were keen to work at this small-scale production level – a change to their usual large-scale projects.

Following correspondence with Softicated and a visit to Axalta’s Colour Experience Room, a luxurious approach was taken to the “Silhouette” and “Head in Stars” lighting designs, with the latter being longlisted for the Archiproducts Design Award in 2022.

Offering fine-textured and anodised finishes, Axalta worked with Softicated to create a colour palette for “Silhouette” of Graphite Black, Traffic White and Earth Clay; and in addition to the same black and white choices for “Head in Stars”, Axalta provided a rich Supradonic Gold, Sienna and Dark Bronze – all representative of current trends. Inspired by the rocket in Tintin and a lighthouse at sea, the powder-coated aluminium tripod and sandblasted glass
lighting tube also evoke Antoine Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince in Softicated’s aim to send clients “straight to the stars”.

Softicated