Lümia, a multifunctional modular organiser inspired by the principles of the Bauhaus school, was one of the winning projects at the Latin American Design Awards (LAD Awards), an international competition that recognises the best design projects in Latin America and brings together entries from students and professionals from various countries.
The project was developed by Jeffersson Zambrano, Ariana Lozada and Belén Villegómez, students at the Faculty of Art, Design and Audiovisual Communication (FADCOM) at the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL). The proposal originated as an academic assignment for the Design Workshop II module, under the guidance of lecturer Jimmy Cañizares. After completing the module, the team decided to continue developing the product independently, with the aim of refining it and submitting it to the international competition.
Lümia comprises four interchangeable geometric modules that combine handcrafted ceramics and wood. Its adaptable design allows users to organise jewellery, make-up and desk accessories according to their individual needs and preferences. Inspired by the Bauhaus’s characteristic relationship between form and function, the product combines a modular structure with an aesthetic that blends geometry, materials and versatility. Its design aims to transform everyday organisation into a personalised experience, in which each module can be arranged in different ways.
In March 2026, the team entered Lümia into the Latin American Design Awards, in the Product Design – Concept/Prototype category, Student division. The project was declared the winner, as was HOLDI, another proposal developed by the same team members. The competition’s official platform lists ESPOL and Ecuador, reflecting the team’s participation as students of the institution and representatives of the country.
The award highlights both the quality of the proposal and its creators’ decision to continue working on it once their academic studies had concluded. The experience demonstrates how the knowledge acquired in the classrooms of FADCOM–ESPOL can be transformed into projects that continue to evolve and find opportunities for recognition on the international stage.
© Photography: Courtesy / Text: José Luis Castro
