Projects and Projectors

Twenty-five years ago, I walked away from the safe, well-paved path of an engineering career. A chance encounter led me to my first glassblowing experience, but the moment I stepped into a hot shop—surrounded by intense heat, radiant light, and the curious scent of burning fruitwood mingled with sweat—I knew instantly that glass would be my life’s work.

Watching artists collaborate to bring something seemingly impossible into existence felt like witnessing magic. I didn’t just want to observe it—I needed to be a part of it. In that moment, the old way of thinking fell away, replaced by a deep certainty: no matter what challenges lay ahead, I would commit fully and work relentlessly to master this craft.

At the time, I had no idea how this potentially reckless decision would evolve into a career. But that uncertainty didn’t matter. There was no turning back.

That leap into the unknown taught me that risk is essential for growth and innovation. Embracing uncertainty fosters transformation—both personally and professionally—pushing us to confront fears and pursue passions that redefine our paths.

I’ve carried that mindset with me ever since, surrounding myself with a team that shares the same fearless curiosity. The result is a practice that seamlessly melds art and science, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in lighting design.

Over the past decade, we’ve had the great fortune of collaborating with some of the most talented designers and interior designers on their projects. Beyond bringing their visions to life as skilled craftspeople, we’ve been called on to contribute our artistic perspective to the process. The results have been nothing short of extraordinary—stunning, fulfilling, boundary-pushing, and deeply rewarding. Working on a project is where we shine and do our best work.

Samuel Johnson, in his 1755 essay, defined a project as “anything that has been attempted without any assurance of success.”
It wasn’t just about tasks or plans, but about daring to try something new, stepping into the unknown, and bringing something into existence that had never been done before.

Today, in our fast-paced, social media-saturated world, the sense of excitement Johnson once associated with a project can feel diminished. It’s easy to overlook the significance of each new endeavor—that every project is, at its core, an act of creation, a bold step toward transforming an idea into reality.

So the next time you dive into something new, remember: you’re not just working on a task — you’re embarking on a project. It’s an adventure, an experiment, and a leap into the unknown. You are a projector!

So, what’s your next project?