Lighten Up Lab grew out of conversations in the Industrial Design graduate program at Jefferson University. We often found ourselves deep in discussion—exploring how a prototype or design iteration responded to users’ needs, challenged assumptions, and raised new questions about manufacturability.
How could that be made?
Can it be produced sustainably?
What materials make sense—both now and in the future?
These questions sparked the foundation for Lighten Up Lab: a place to explore sustainable materials, modern production methods, and traditional craft—sometimes all in the same piece.
We love working with walnut on the lathe, pairing its warmth with the unexpected pop of a 3D-printed light diffuser for a playful and compelling contrast. Or we might cast concrete—or a more environmentally conscious material like Aqua-Resin—into custom 3D-printed molds, finishing the form with a marshmallow-soft resin-printed shade that echoes the shape but offers a completely different feel.
At its core, Lighten Up Lab creates sculptural, collectible lighting that brings together joy, curiosity, and functionality. Each lamp is made to order on American Street in Philadelphia and may feature slight variations—small marks of the hands and processes that made them.
We hope our lighting brings as much brightness to your space as we’ve found in making it.💡