Designing for life’s rhythms
Lani Adeoye is an award-winning designer and the founder of Studio-Lani, a design brand spanning sculpture, lighting, furniture, fashion and assistance devices. While her practice is multifaceted, it is consistently rooted in the ethos of connection, drawing individuals in on a deeper level, nurturing and celebrating shared human values. Her creative process seamlessly blends the rhythmic warmth of her Nigerian heritage and echoes of time-honored craftsmanship with a futuristic approach. This results in timeless objects that harmonize with a universal melody while remaining deeply attuned to a sense of place.
Lani's hybrid mindset and experimental approach allow her to embrace unexpected ideas and explore different avenues to enhance the value of her designs. This creative junction is her joy zone, crafting new futures and memorable designs known to exude an enigmatic elegance. At their heart, her creations celebrate the profound impact of the human touch, in sculpting intangible values into designs that resonate both physically and emotionally.
Her unique creations have earned placements in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Vitra Design Museum, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and Die Neue Sammlung. Notable accolades include winning the first prize in Milan's 2022 'SaloneSatellite: Designing for our future selves' award for her creation, RemX—an asymmetric walker hailed by the jury for merging "elegance and dignity in a useful object for all." Additionally, she was honored by Elle Décor in its 'Women of the World: 75 Global Female Designers Worth Celebrating' issue in 2020 and has been featured in prominent publications such as Designed For Life, Woman Made, and Phaidon's '1000 Design Classics.'
Lani's journey encompasses a diverse range of experiences. She grew up as an artistic child, participating in art competitions in Lagos, Nigeria. But she went on to complete her Bachelor of Commerce at McGill University in Montreal and subsequently worked as a consulting analyst at Accenture in Toronto. Then, taking a big leap of faith, she transitioned back to her creative roots and graduated from Parsons School of Design in New York, where she also shares her knowledge as an adjunct professor. This rich tapestry of interests and skills equips her with a versatile toolkit to tackle design challenges, blending analytical rigor with an innate sensitivity to form and material.
Through Studio-Lani, she delights in collaborating with clients across various industries, offering bespoke commissions, exclusive partnerships, and customized variations of her studio collection. With a perennial curiosity and a dedication to fostering cross cultural synergy, Lani continues to push boundaries, using design as a tool to ignite meaningful human connections, cultural celebration and dignity for all.
awards + ReC. (Selection)
2024
Triennale Milano
Designed for Life - published by Phaidon
IF Design - Jury Member (Berlin)
Finalist - Createurs Design Awards
2023
1000 Design Classics - published Phaidon
Dezeen - Jury Member
2022
FIRST PRIZE - Salone Satellite (Milan) ‘Designing For Our Future Selves’ Award
2021
‘Great Women Designers’ WOMAN MADE, published by Phaidon
Designing Design Education, Book - published by IF Design Foundation
2020
Maison & Objet (Rising Talents Award) – Nominee, France
ELLE DÉCOR ’75 - International Women of Design’
Los Angeles Design Festival: 40 Innovative Womxn Designers
2018
Silver Award - European product design awards competition
2017
Dwell’s Young Guns: Young Designers Making Waves
WINNER – NYC’s Wanted Design's Launch Pad - Furniture
COLLABORATORS: EXHIBITIONS:
Philips Auction House 2024
Google Triennale Milano
Youtube 2022
Netgear Salone Satellite, Milan
Good Sense & Company Nyc 2020
Bacchus LA Design Festival - 40 Innovative Women
A white Space Creative Agency London Craft Week
Arise Fashion Week 2019
Ghana - Africa By Design
Design Kulture – Lagos
NYC - ‘Eyes on Talent’ Game
LECTURES & TALKS
2021 - University of Illinois, USA 2018
2021 - University of California, USA NYC - WantedDesign
2021 - Industrial Designer’s Society of America’s, USA Milan - Rising Design – Africa/Latin America
2021 - Tennessee State University, USA North Carolina – ‘Beyond the Mask’
2020 - IF Design Foundation Hearing, South Africa 2017
2020 - Parsons & Elle Décor – Design U, USA Lagos - African Culture & Design Show
2020 - NYC’s ICFF + Wanted Design (Unity by Design) NYC - Wanted Design
2020 - The Heritage Series, Nigeria 2016
2019 - Africa by Design Panel, Ghana Vancouver - Interior Design Show
Toronto - Interior Design Show
2015
NYC - ICFF Design Show