When we last caught up with Bo Zhang on Design Milk, his Ripples collection had already captivated us – turning simple hexagonal trays into mesmerizing optical illusions that shifted with perspective. Now, he’s back with Lightware, a trio of transparent glass trays that animate everyday surfaces through the subtle science of polarizing film. Unlike the color-shifting folds of Ripples, Lightware plays in light and shadow, creating dynamic patterns that change with every move.
Zhang’s ongoing exploration of optical effects is rooted in a fascination with how light behaves in day-to-day life. “Optical effects can transcend the public’s everyday understanding of design,” Zhang tells Design Milk. “Light can toggle between reality and illusion. In my work, I explore the reflection, refraction, and interplay of light and shadow, allowing the public to re-examine the boundary between reality and illusion amidst uncertainty.”
That pursuit takes shape in Lightware through the use of polarizing film, which controls the direction of light beams. When stacked in parallel, it blocks light; when stacked at a 90-degree angle, it allows light to pass through. Zhang harnesses this phenomenon to create trays that respond to both movement and ambient light.
The layers of glass also contribute to the ever-changing nature of the trays. “When new transparent plastic materials are added, the shadows of the film become even more varied,” the designer reveals. “Most interestingly, the addition of more transparent plastics creates a rainbow of colors in the patterns and shadows. This new visual effect intrigues me, and I’m currently designing new solutions.”
Playing with the Lightware trays might not be an everyday occurrence, but Zhang hopes that, at the very least, people will start to notice the presence of light. “Light, which is usually overlooked by the public, is revealed through shifting shadows and patterns, yet it is also fleeting,” he reflects. “I hope to use common materials in our daily lives to create new experiences and interactions for the public.” In transforming polarizing film into an interactive design object, Zhang challenges us to see light not as a backdrop, but as a present, shifting participant in our everyday environment.
Lightware is available in three different sizes and recently named an Honoree of the 2025 NYXxDESIGN Award for Accessories.
To learn more about the Lightware collection of trays by Bo Zhang, visit deszoffice.com.
Photography courtesy of Desz Office and Bo Zhang.
