Jovi Lim of Sonogo lights the way for crafting sustainable lamps for modern spaces

In the dim glow of Jovi Lim’s home studio, lamps of various shapes and textures sit on the workbench, each a testament to the young designer’s relentless pursuit of creativity and sustainability.

At just 19, Lim balances his time between his studies at Singapore Polytechnic, working toward a Diploma in Business Administration, and his passion project, Sonogo — a brand he describes as the future of “eco-conscious home decor.” His journey with Sonogo didn’t start as a business venture; it was born from a simple, personal need.

“I’ve always been drawn to interior design and aesthetic home decor,” Lim shares. “I wanted lamps that created a cosy atmosphere in my room, but many were out of reach for a student.” Frustrated by high prices and limited access to design-forward options, Lim decided to make his own. What began as a personal project quickly evolved into something more.

As he invested hundreds of hours into learning the intricacies of 3D printing and product design, he realised his vision had the potential to reach others who, like him, were looking for affordable, high-quality lighting. Thus, Sonogo was born.

Refining his craftsmanship

The name Sonogo, meaning “afterwards” in Japanese, isn’t just an aesthetic choice. Lim’s brand reflects a forward-looking ethos that embraces innovation and sustainability. His first line of products, including the Haju and Kosha lamps, draws inspiration from traditional Japanese paper lanterns and pagoda architecture.

“To me, the word ‘afterwards’ symbolises what comes next in design and sustainability,” he explains, describing Sonogo as a new generation of home decor. Lim’s commitment to sustainable materials and methods is evident in every aspect of Sonogo, from the lamps’ biodegradable materials to the hand-stamped packaging that avoids traditional printing emissions.

Lim’s transition from entrepreneur to designer was unconventional. His initial foray into business started with a skateboard company, Backspace, where he sold blank boards. “With Backspace, I was focused on entrepreneurship,” he recalls. “But with Sonogo, it’s different. I’m adding a design element to it.”

Unlike his previous ventures, Sonogo demanded hands-on learning in product design, a challenge he faced with characteristic persistence. Hours of YouTube tutorials and forums helped him master the mechanics of 3D printing, though not without setbacks. Initially, his printer would break frequently, sometimes taking up to seven hours to repair.

Today, Lim has whittled that time down to just 30 minutes. “I’ve learned a lot as I grow this business,” he says, with the humility of someone acutely aware that learning is a lifelong journey.

The journey is more than technical challenges and late nights; it’s deeply personal, as Lim crafts each lamp by hand, infusing every design with his aesthetic philosophy. He envisions Sonogo as a brand that embraces “quiet luxury” — where high-quality, unique designs are accessible at a price point below $150.

When design meets function

This focus on affordability doesn’t compromise originality. “I want Sonogo to have that human touch,” Lim explains. “From day one, my goal was to show people I design, create, and hand-assemble all these lamps myself.”

The hands-on process Lim has perfected isn’t merely functional; it brings depth to his creations. Every Sonogo lamp tells a story, which Lim shares with customers through QR codes that reveal each product’s background and inspiration. For Lim, a lamp should be more than just a source of light — it should be an invitation to pause, reflect, and appreciate craftsmanship.

He imagines Sonogo lamps as “conversation starters”, elements that enhance a space with light, warmth, and personality. “At night, it serves as a lamp; during the day, it stands as a piece of sustainable art,” he says, a sentiment that captures his holistic approach to design.

Sustainability is at the core of Sonogo. Lim’s commitment is evident from using polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable material derived from renewable resources like corn starch and sugarcane, to zero-plastic packaging. “If the lamp breaks, it can be recycled or composted instead of adding to waste,” he explains, underscoring his dedication to creating products with minimal environmental impact.

For the packaging, Lim opts for paper-based options like cardboard and honeycomb paper, completely eschewing bubble wrap. Each box is stamped with Sonogo’s logo by hand, a small but intentional step in his larger sustainability mission.

The design process for each lamp is iterative. Lim begins with sketches, sometimes inspired by shapes he encounters daily. “The Luna Lamp, for instance, was inspired by a crescent moon sketch,” he says. The design features a corrugated effect, a visual element he adapted from an earlier piece, the Kosha Lamp. Lim doesn’t rush the process; he works through multiple prototypes, refining each detail before finalising a piece. 

“The Haju Lamp took seven different prototypes over two months to design and build,” he admits. But the result, as he describes, is “gratifying when you finally see the finished piece lit up, watching how the light filters through the design.”

Turning passion into a profession

As he looks to the future, Lim’s ambitions for Sonogo are as grounded as they are bold. He envisions a small studio storefront in Singapore, where customers can experience Sonogo’s pieces firsthand. “Small steps,” he says, ever-pragmatic.

With school holidays on the horizon, he anticipates more time to experiment with new 3D printing techniques, expand his product line, and introduce add-ons that enhance the customer experience. It’s a vision that blends practicality with innovation, a roadmap for sustainable growth rooted in creativity and responsibility.

Lim’s advice is simple but powerful for those aspiring to turn passion into a profession: “Just go for it.” He recalls a friend’s words that have stayed with him: “You only live once.” Lim’s journey from a student looking for affordable decor to the founder of an eco-conscious design brand exemplifies the ethos of seizing opportunity and committing fully. “If I can do it, anyone with a passion for design can, too,” he says. “You just have to take that first step.”

In an industry that often prioritises aesthetics over authenticity, Sonogo stands out — not only for its quiet luxury but also for the sincerity that defines it. His lamps are more than decor; they reflect a young designer’s vision for a more thoughtful, sustainable world.

In an age where disposability and mass production often reign, Lim’s work is a gentle reminder that quality, craftsmanship, and conscious design still have a place — and, perhaps, a more significant role — in the spaces we call home.