KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Sometimes, a business idea can happen to you by accident just like in the case of software analyst Raizil Adza who now sells light fixtures with an industrial vibe.
It all began when he bought a place for himself and moved in at the end of last year. “When I went to shop for lights, I found them expensive and flimsy so I decided to make my own,” said the 28-year-old of his “light bulb” moment.
As he wanted durable and sturdy lights, Raizil fashioned his own light fixtures out of galvanised iron pipes and light bulbs — an industrial look that interior designers consider to be “in trend.”
When family and friends saw his creative light fixtures, they started asking him to make it for them, thus giving birth to his part-time business, Vertical Sphere. “After I started making light fixtures, my friends liked them so they bought from me.
Through word of mouth, people began to ask about Vertical Sphere so I decided to sell it through Instagram,” he said.
Raizil admits he was at a loss on what to name his business. “I call it Vertical Sphere because I’m a sphere and I’m vertical,” said Raizil. It was the same situation for his band too: when he couldn’t think of a name, he settled for Pff.
Initially, Vertical Sphere was run by Raizil and his business partner Anuar Zaidy. Anuar used to do the wiring for the lights but later, he became busy with his family and day job.
He is still part of Vertical Sphere but Raizil runs the show now. Raizil, who has a biomedical engineering background, learned wiring from him so he does that for the light fixtures.
When it comes to welding the parts of the light fixtures, Raizil prefers to outsource the work. Since he works out of his own apartment, welding was out of the question.
The materials he uses for the light fixtures are a combination of upcycled items and brand new parts. He gets the materials either from friends or hardware shops.
A lot of the parts in Vertical Sphere are sourced from local mom-and-pop hardware stores. Not only is that more affordable than buying from large hardware stores in shopping centres, it is also about supporting small, local businesses.
“Sometimes it is hard to find certain parts because they are sold out,” said Raizil. When that happens, Raizil is unable to make light fixtures. He is also very busy with other things such as his day job, his band and football.
In a day it takes Raizil about two hours to make one light fixture. He can make four light fixtures a day.
“When I started making light fixtures, I had to try on a lot of parts. I guess I’m lucky because they fit. It takes a lot of R&D when I start making a new design. I learn through trial and error,” said Raizil. He tries to make simpler designs but his customers like it when it looks complicated because it looks better.
He also gets inspirations online. “I feel that we just have to do it (make things). We throw away a lot of things which is a waste. Why not make it into something useful instead of buying new things?” said Raizil.
For him, things have to be functional. When it comes to form or function, he would choose function over form. However, most people would choose form first then function.
Vertical Sphere is featured in DESIGNation, a shop that features beautifully-designed creations by Malaysians. Michelle Alice Tan, the curator and founder of DESIGNation, would suggest to Raizil what improvements he can make on the light fixtures to make it more aesthetically-pleasing.
One of the things she asked him to do was to replace the LED bulb with the Edison bulb. “I prefer the LED bulb because it lasts longer and requires less energy so I can save on electricity,” said Raizil.
Usually, the customers prefer the Edison bulb due to its beauty. Vertical Sphere’s light fixtures have standard light bulb holders that allow you to interchange the two types of bulbs, depending on your usage.
Raizil accidentally found out about DESIGNation through Instagram. He then approached Michelle to have Vertical Sphere featured in DESIGNation and the rest is history.
Other than making light fixtures for Vertical Sphere, he also does customised designs. The fashion boutique Dude & the Duchess commissioned him to make clothes hanger racks for their boutique using copper pipes.
He wanted to put bulbs on it but they didn’t want that look. Raizil also sells more specially commissioned work compared to the standard light fixtures he makes.
One of the most interesting pieces he did was a magnificent chandelier that was fashioned out of galvanised iron pipes, bulbs and metal utensil holders.
“Making light fixtures is fun for me. There is no stress involved when I do this. I do it because I like it and not for the money. Everything is easy when you want to do it,” said Raizil.
In the future, he hopes to start workshops teaching children how to D-I-Y. “I like children and I think it is important that they learn these skills,” he said.
Where to buy:
Vertical Sphere
www.instagram.com/verticalsphere
DESIGNation
http://designation.co/collections/vertical-sphere
Art Row @PUBLIKA Shopping Mall
Lot 54, Block B3, Level G2
Solaris Dutamas,
Jalan Dutamas 1,
50480 Kuala Lumpur
Open daily: 12pm to 9pm
