I started working on this project in early 2025. I’m an artist by background, mostly a painter, and was looking for other ways to subsidize my studio practice. I've long been interested in lighting design and had already created several sculptures that took the form of lamps. These sculptures each took weeks to make and were sold as unique artworks; they were definitely not affordable.

After discovering companies like Wooj, Honey & Ivy, and Terra Labs, all of which make interesting and affordable 3D printed lamps to order, I wondered: could I bring something new to this landscape?  I already had a couple of 3D printers and knew some of the requisite software. I decided to spend a few months working on prototypes to see if the idea was viable.

I knew that for this to work they would have to be different from what was already out there. Because 3D printing offers a great way to quickly create ornate, thin shells, most 3D printed lamp companies focus on creating unique and interesting shades. I decided to focus more on the form of the bases. I wanted them to feel a little like something I might paint, a combination of organic forms with geometric interruptions, exuding a slightly anthropomorphic character.  It was also important to me for the lamps to feel substantial - I didn’t want them to be flimsy or easy to tip over. Finally, they all needed to be dimmable. I’m not interested in lightbulbs with remote controls. I just want to easily control how much light I need. 

The name comes from the Fermi Paradox, which asks why we haven’t seen evidence of alien life in the universe, despite the high likelihood of its existence. There are a lot of potential answers to this problem, ranging from the pedestrian to the fairly alarming. While I’m not particularly knowledgeable about the life and work of Enrico Fermi, I’ve always found this particular idea fascinating. I wanted a name that was elegant but also referenced something alien and alive.

So here we are. I’m launching FERMI with three primary designs, and possibly too many color options. I’ve tried to keep the prices as low as possible while still covering quality materials and the time spent printing and assembling. If you do decide to purchase a lamp, I sincerely hope you love it. 

Jeremy

If interested, my personal work can be viewed here: jeremyolson.com