“F
lexibility and adaptability” are two essential qualities that Tonia Fuster brings to Studio Islas, her lighting design company that she launched in 2020. Born and raised in Mallorca, Fuster first studied architecture in Barcelona and then shifted into industrial design at the Design School of the Balearic Islands, which she intuitively connected with more. She began her design practice with a small series of shelf, table and hanging lamps and was soon exhibiting with the ‘Made in Mallorca’ project, which, between 2018-2020, showcased Mallorcan designers in events such as the London Design Fair. As she was getting started in her career and developing different prototypes in varying materials including metal and glass, and sharing the results on Instagram for feedback, she hit on something that not only seemed to resonate with her fans, but with her as well: Ceramics. She developed a ceramic light fixture titled Nu, (Knot), a simple, almost squashed cylinder-like shape that is suspended from the ceiling with a sturdy leather-like cord. The shape, directly inspired by the bell that sheep wear around their neck so as not to get lost from the flock, is a sight and sound that is heard across the island. It was one of her first designs in ceramic and also one that directly connected to her relationship with the island.
