Daniel Rybakken

Daniel Rybakken, born in 1984, is a Norwegian award-winning designer known for his innovative approach to lighting design. He studied at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design and later earned a master's degree in fine arts from the School of Design and Crafts in Gothenburg.

Daniel Rybakken 1984

Daniel Rybakken's work balances between art and design, creating lighting solutions that play with perception, daylight, and the natural environment. With a minimalist yet conceptual style, Rybakken has established himself as a leading figure in contemporary design.

Daniel Rybakken and the Arbour Collection

Daniel Rybakken’s collection for HAY is characterized by a minimalist and functional design. One of the most well-known collections is Arbour, designed in collaboration with Andreas Engesvik, available as both a sofa and an armchair. Arbour is known for its simple, Nordic style with clean lines.

Lighting Design for Luceplan

Among his most notable works is lighting for the Italian brand Luceplan, such as the Ascent lamp – which exemplifies his focus on light modulation and interaction. Another well-known design is Counterbalance, admired for its mechanical precision and aesthetic balance. These works represent Rybakken’s signature style, where form and function merge with a poetic exploration of light’s possibilities.

Stochastic Opal is one of Daniel Rybakken’s most striking fixtures – a pendant lamp made up of a cluster of opal spheres in various sizes, dispersing light uniquely to create soft, atmospheric illumination. It combines artistic aesthetics with functional lighting, showcasing Rybakken’s ability to design lighting that both fascinates and enhances the environment it’s placed in.

Design Awards

Daniel Rybakken has received several prestigious awards – including the Red Dot Award "Best of the Best" in Singapore in 2007, the Anders Jahre Cultural Award for Young Artists in Oslo in 2008, and the Design Report Award for Best Designer at Salone Satellite in Milan in 2009. In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Bruno Mathsson Prize for his innovative aesthetics, timeless quality, and boundary-crossing design. Through his creations, he continues to influence and inspire the design world by uniquely combining technology and artistry.