This year’s High Point market was one for the books! To kick off our first show, Quorum International teamed up with the amazing Tamara Day, star of Magnolia Network’s Bargain Mansions, and our very own David Patton, Director of Design, for a behind-the-scenes look at the magic of lighting design. If you missed it, here’s a quick recap of what went down.

Getting Creative with Tamara and David

We kicked things off with Tamara Day sharing her design secrets. Tamara’s all about creating spaces that feel both beautiful and functional, and she gave everyone a peek into her design philosophy. If you’ve ever wanted to know what goes into her stunning projects, this was the place to be!

Next up, David Patton took the stage to explain his role as Quorum’s Director of Design. He compared himself to a music producer (which, if you ask us, is a pretty cool comparison). He helps take the creative vision and make it a reality — turning those wild ideas into products you can actually use.

The Design Journey: From Concept to Creation

Tamara and David then broke down their entire design process, sharing the steps that go into creating a lighting product from scratch. Here's a peek at what they talked about:

1. Inspiration & Ideas: How do you know when a design idea is the one? Tamara and David shared their tips
2. Manufacturability: How to take an idea and make sure it’s something you can actually build.
3. Industry Search: The importance of making sure your design is unique and stands out.
4. Design to Set Architecture: How to start with a basic chandelier structure (template) and make it your own.
5. Flexibility is Key: Don’t fall in love with your first idea – sometimes, a little flexibility can lead to something even better!
6. Iterations: Create multiple versions of your design to choose from and narrow it down.
7. Final Selection: Picking the winning design.
8. Focus Groups & Reviews: Getting feedback before finalizing the design.
9. Pre-Engineering: CADs, tooling, and making the necessary tweaks before production.
10. Detail Review: Making sure every little detail is perfect.
11. Sampling & Production: Testing the sample and, once it’s perfect, moving to production.

This event was intended for up-and-coming designers and influencers who dream of launching their own products or collaborations with brands. Tamara and David gave great insight into how the design process works and how anyone can turn their ideas into tangible creations. Plus, we had a chance to showcase some of Quorum’s latest designs and show how they can fit perfectly into a variety of projects.

Watch the conversation on Instagram