about yates

What started as a grad school trip to Milan in 2023, has turned into a calling and passion for lighting design. In 2023, I was lucky enough to be able to go to Salone Satellite in Milan with my grad school program. For a whole week we were able to see the work of the incredibly talented designers showing their lighting and furniture designs. During this trip, I became absolutely fascinated with lighting design, planting a seed in my brain for the future. 

In 2025, while applying around for jobs, I decided to start designing and making my own lamps in my studio apartment and a maker-space in Chicago. Inspired by mid-century aesthetic, organic shapes, and steam bent wood, I began to prototype my ideas. Over the past year, I have been able to build a small audience through social media, and my lights have slowly found their way into homes of families, friends, and even complete strangers that are fans of my work. The dream is still alive and well in 2026, I've been gaining some traction along the way, and hoping to grow into my own design studio down the road someday. 

At the end of the day, my goal is to provide lamps that can comfortably fit in any space without being the focal point, and provide a warm, modern home aesthetic. I want my lamps to make people feel like they have meaning in their home, creating a deeper connection to the space.  Above all, I want these lamps to transcend generations and be passed down, as any timeless piece of furniture does. I have a keen focus on material choices to ensure longevity, separating my work from the fast fashion furniture trends that typically end up in landfills down the road.