This is the story of how Sonogo was born, and why I named it Sonogo. Written by Jovi Lim.
Strangers who found us on the internet, and believed in what we do.
Hi everyone, my name is Jovi, a 20-year-old based in Singapore. I started Sonogo as a small project that grew from my bedroom into a story shared by many. Sonogo was never just about lamps; it was about creating pieces that carry my personal stories and emotions, written into the design of each lamp. Every piece being a reflection of my life stories, curiosity and experimentation shaped my desire to explore ideas that haven’t been touched before, adding authenticity to any space and becoming pieces that guests will want to talk about.
Ever since I started sharing my design process and building this journey on my socials, I’ve always been transparent with my brand. Sharing our real wins and struggles means a lot to us, because Sonogo was built on the story behind the lamps, the journey, the people, and the growth that shaped it. Strangers who found us through the algorithm, and you, are the reason this story exists: Strangers who discovered us online and believed in what we do.
A little more about myself.
Mental Health and the name of Sonogo.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always had a strange obsession with home design. I loved looking at exteriors, interiors, and anything related to homes. My dad would bring us around Singapore to see extraordinary houses, and I’d spend hours sketching buildings in my notebook, drawing out whatever ideas came to mind. At 16, I even started an Instagram account where I recreated my architectural drawings in 3D using the Roblox Developer app lol, and somehow, it gained 2.4k followers. It was a passion I always wanted to cultivate, but back then, I didn’t have the time.
In March 2024, I went through a breakup that led to one of the lowest points in my life. I’ve never shared this publicly, but I wanted to write it here for those who truly want to understand what Sonogo means on a deeper level. It was a tough period. I struggled with depression, was on medication for a while, and felt like I was letting everyone down, including myself.
So, what does Sonogo mean? I started Sonogo shortly after my spiral, wanting to change my life around, follow my passion, and create meaningful designer objects. “Sonogo,” means “afterwards” as a reflection of my life and growth after everything I went through. My first lamps, Kosha and Haju, were inspired by pagoda architecture and traditional paper lanterns. It might sound strange choosing a Japanese name as a Singaporean, but it resonated deeply with me as my first lamps were Japanese inspired, so I decided to stick with it till now :)
About the Sonogo Journey.
I love to share that Sonogo is more than just a lamp company; it’s a journey where I strive to create my own designs that reflect my passion for designer lamps, and my personal journey. By supporting us, you’re contributing to a greener future and helping drive a movement toward more sustainable living as our lamps are also made from plant-based materials like corn starch and sugarcane.
I started with one 3D printer in my room, bought with my first paycheck from my internship. As a hobbyist, I loved the concept of its limitless possibilities and dreamed of turning this concept into a business idea, but at that point of time I didn't know what I wanted yet.
Towards the end of my internship, I figured out my problem statement and I decided to dedicate my nights to learning as much as I could about product designing, and 3D printing, determined to create my own lamps.
I can tell you right off the bat, starting Sonogo wasn't easy. As a business student specializing in marketing, I didn't have any head starts in this field. I learned to operate and repair my 3D printer through YouTube tutorials. After my 9-to-6 internship, I spent my nights learning how to product design, creating prototype after prototype until I managed to turn my concept sketches into actual lamps.
Sonogo had a strong start, and I know there’s still much more to learn and achieve. As of 10/25/2025, we have sold more than 1000 lamps, and it has been such an hourable and fun journey, meeting so many of people who share the same interest in design and lamps, receiving so much love for the lamps I make, and it really brings a lot of joy when I make a new release.
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