illusion lamp

Walk toward this series of translucent desktop lamps from across a room, and they’ll seem to go from three-dimensional to two-dimensional right before your eyes. From afar, they look like ordinary lampshades made of a white gridded material, but you can’t quite believe what you see: the effect is an optical illusion.

illusion lamp angle illusion lamp back

Created by Tel Aviv-based design firm Studio Cheha, the BULBING collection consists of three minimalist takes on classic desk lamps. Each shade looks like a fully-rounded 3D design, but every piece of each lamp aside from the connector at the base is completely flat.

illusion lamp side

A laser silhouette of a classic lampshade is etched onto a thick sheet of acrylic glass, and a hidden LED bulb embedded in the wooden support piece completes the illusion. A dimmer switch lets you adjust the brightness so it’s ideal for tasks like reading or working on crafts.

Studio Cheha has taken to Kickstarter to get the lamp series into production, making them available to the public for pledges starting at roughly $65. The crowdfunding campaign has already surprised its goal threefold with thirty days remaining.

“After the production of our successful flat LED BULBING series, we decided to expand our horizons — and the SIZE of our lamps— and create an advanced version that is NOW DESIGNED TO READ WITH and will make a visual statement for any living, work, public or private space.”

“We’re all about innovation! Our new lamps are inspired by classic and vintage-style desk lamps with a modern twist. By deconstructing their wire-frame forms and setting it against a flat, clear surface, Studio Cheha continues to develop our original ideas for cool and functional design pieces—that produce the illusion they are 3D, once switched on!”

“In addition to increasing the scale, this time, we’ve opted for an industrious approach to the shape of the lampshade while keeping our signature optical illusion and 3D magic as the focal point of the design.”