Origami-Inspired Crab Table Lamp By Metal Goat Combines Soft Light And Sculptural Design

Tokyo-based design studio Metal Goat has introduced the Oogani table lamp, a lighting object that combines soft illumination with a sculptural, animal-inspired form. Shaped like a folded crab, the lamp takes cues from origami principles without directly copying the traditional look of paper folding. Instead, it presents a more contemporary interpretation of folded geometry, positioned between functional home lighting and decorative design.

The Oogani lamp is part of Metal Goat’s “Capsule Animals” series, a collection of furniture and lighting pieces that reinterpret animal silhouettes through crisp folds and simplified structures. While each object in the series serves a different practical purpose, the group shares a consistent visual language based on angular forms, clean surfaces, and compact proportions. Together, the pieces highlight how a unified design method can be adapted across multiple types of household products.

Construction plays a central role in the lamp’s identity; Oogani is made from thick synthetic paper composed of polypropylene, chosen for its ability to behave like paper while offering greater durability and stability. The material allows the designers to create precise folds that maintain their shape over time, using minimal material and avoiding complex assemblies. This folded shell becomes the main body of the lamp, enclosing its internal light source.

Oogani origami crab lamp (Image: Designboom)

The lighting itself is designed to be gentle and diffused, making the lamp suitable for bedside tables, shelves, or small workspaces where softer light is preferred. Supporting elements are made from white acrylic sheets, which provide structural reinforcement while keeping the overall aesthetic clean and lightweight. Brass details are used as connectors and accents, including small eye-like elements that add character without overwhelming the minimalist form.

Oogani origami crab lamp (Image: Designboom)

Through its careful balance of fabrication, material efficiency, and restrained styling, the Oogani lamp reflects a modern approach to Japanese-inspired minimalism. It functions both as a practical light and as a compact sculptural presence within an interior setting.

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