Ziptie Light Kit- Why do some people value mass-produced objects that have no distinction from the next? Why are imperfections undesirable?

I used to work part time at a very high-end designer furniture and lighting store. My job was to sell designer home accessories. I would sell some of the most thoughtfully designed objects in the world and naturally, I sell them to people who have no problem affording the often, high price point. During this time I began to wonder how customers value hand-crafted "imperfect" objects as apposed to high volume mass-produced objects.

I decided to create a lighting piece had to be worked for instead of simply purchased. I wanted to create an appreciation of the design process rather than just the end product.

These lamps are not sold as lamps but as instructional manuals. They are made from inexpensive materials (florescent tube and zip ties) that the owner can purchase almost anywhere. Each lamp will be custom made and just a little different than the next. The lamps are built by the owner and in turn, increases value and appreciation of the product. The owner of this manual is able to make as few or as many lamps as he or she wants. Excessive cost is exchanged for time and effort.