Daniel Rybakken

Born in 1984, Daniel Rybakken grew up in Oslo Norway. He studied Design at Oslo School of Architecture and then at School of Arts and Crafts in Gothenburg. He graduated with a Masters in Fine Art in 2008. Almost immediately after graduating, Rybakken opened his own design studios, based in both Oslo and Gothenburg.

Rybakken occupies the area between art and design, with his main focus on the effect natural daylight has on human behaviour - and how to artificially recreate its effects. He is well known for his exploration of singular source lighting and imitating natural sunlight throughout his work. The work of Daniel Rybakken is elegant and refined, utilising the best available technology to create both products and installations.

He was the first Scandinavian designer to win the Compasso d'Oro. As well as Best of the Best Red Dot Award in Singapore, 2007; the Anders Jahre's Cultural Prize for Young Artists in Oslo, 2008; and the Design Report Award for best designer at Salone Satellite in Milan, 2009.

"My work is quite graphical. As a child, I always wanted to be an inventor, but I had all these things from my parents: interest in the aesthetic, composition, and what design communicates, what with my father working with identities for big companies. If you combine that with inventing new products, you get what I do right now." - Daniel Rybakken