Lighting in design is more than just the functional aspect of illuminating a space—it’s the art of shaping experience. To witness light as an extension of architecture, one needs only to examine the work of Jason Miller, a designer who transforms functional objects into sculptures that invite contemplation. As the founder of Roll & Hill, a Brooklyn-based lighting and furniture design studio, Miller has become a cornerstone of modern American design. His work, rooted in minimalism yet sculpturally expressive, blurs the line between art and functionality.

In this piece, we explore some of the most iconic works by Jason Miller Lighting, tracing the evolution of his design language and the impact he has made on contemporary lighting.

1. Modo Chandelier

One of Miller's most recognized pieces is the Modo Chandelier, a fixture that embodies the ethos of Jason Miller Lighting: functional minimalism with an architectural edge. Inspired by off-the-shelf industrial parts, the Modo Chandelier is a modular lighting system that feels both modern and retro, referencing the utilitarian simplicity of factory fixtures from the early 20th century while offering a customizable and luxurious update.

The Modo Chandelier’s beauty lies in its adaptability. It features a geometric metal frame that can be configured in various ways—spherical, rectangular, or linear—depending on the needs of the space. Each frame supports glass globe lights, which evoke a sense of weightlessness despite their structured, grid-like placement. Available in different finishes, such as brass or bronze, and customizable to various sizes, the Modo Chandelier can scale from intimate residential spaces to grand commercial interiors.

The Modo series also speaks to Miller's fascination with the industrial past. By appropriating familiar, machine-age forms and giving them a refined, bespoke feel, Miller manages to ground the chandelier in a history of functional design while propelling it toward a future of customizable luxury. It’s an approach to lighting that invites interaction, allowing designers and architects to play with scale and form in the spaces they create.

2. Superordinate Antler Chandelier

If there is one piece that first catapulted Jason Miller Lighting into the global spotlight, it would be the Superordinate Antler Chandelier. Launched in 2003, the piece reflects Miller’s ability to infuse a playful sensibility into high design. The chandelier is a study in contrasts: natural versus artificial, rugged versus refined, organic versus industrial. The design was born out of a cultural commentary on American décor, particularly the kitsch use of taxidermy and antler chandeliers in rustic homes and hunting lodges.

Miller took the traditional idea of an antler chandelier—something associated with wilderness and rugged masculinity—and reinterpreted it with a modern twist. Made from cast ceramic, the Superordinate Antler Chandelier is a sculptural installation that redefines the rustic aesthetic. The matte white antlers create an almost surrealistic take on the classic chandelier, making the piece a conversation between past and present, irony and authenticity.

The Superordinate Antler Chandelier is at once whimsical and sophisticated, reflecting Miller’s knack for turning cultural references into modern art. Despite its playful nature, the piece has been embraced by high-end interiors and luxury hotels, offering a dramatic yet elegant focal point in both contemporary and traditional spaces.

3. Bruno Pendant

In keeping with his minimalist approach, the Bruno Pendant by Jason Miller Lighting is a testament to the designer’s ability to distill complex ideas into simple, evocative forms. With its clean lines and precise geometric shapes, the Bruno Pendant offers a more restrained aesthetic than some of Miller’s more exuberant designs, but it carries no less impact.

Named after the Italian architect Bruno Munari, the pendant’s design is reminiscent of modernist principles: form follows function, and beauty is found in simplicity. The Bruno Pendant features a circular frame that supports an opaque, disk-like light, suspended by a thin wire. Available in brass, bronze, or polished nickel, it has a sleek, refined elegance that works equally well in residential or commercial settings.

What sets the Bruno Pendant apart is its attention to proportion. The disk-shaped light source is perfectly balanced within the frame, creating a harmonious sense of symmetry. Yet the pendant remains versatile—it can be hung as a single unit for a subtle effect or clustered in multiples for a more dramatic installation. As with many of Jason Miller Lighting’s creations, the Bruno Pendant’s simplicity belies a deeper complexity, making it a favorite among architects and interior designers who value understated yet impactful design.

4. Bluff City Pendant

The Bluff City Pendant demonstrates Jason Miller Lighting’s ability to merge industrial aesthetics with high-end sophistication. Designed in 2011, the Bluff City Pendant takes its inspiration from the city of Memphis and the industrial history of the American South. With its cage-like structure and exposed bulb, the pendant evokes the gritty, utilitarian feel of factory lighting, but Miller elevates the form through clean lines, precise craftsmanship, and modern materials.

The Bluff City Pendant features a spun aluminum shade with a wire cage beneath it, adding a touch of transparency and visual intrigue. The combination of solid metal and airy wire creates a sense of balance between weight and lightness, solidity and openness. The pendant is available in a variety of finishes, including copper and powder-coated steel, allowing it to seamlessly integrate into a wide range of interior styles.

In many ways, the Bluff City Pendant embodies Jason Miller Lighting’s signature approach—taking familiar, industrial forms and refining them into something luxurious and modern. The piece is versatile enough to be used in restaurants, cafés, or residential kitchens, where its design adds an industrial-chic appeal without overpowering the space.

5. Endless

The Endless lighting system, designed for Roll & Hill, represents one of Jason Miller Lighting’s most ambitious projects. Inspired by 1970s Supergraphics and modernist grids, Endless is a modular lighting system that can be configured in an infinite number of ways, hence its name. The system consists of interconnected LED tubes housed within brass or powder-coated steel frames, forming linear, geometric patterns that can be customized to fit any space.

Endless embodies Miller’s fascination with modularity and scalability. Like his Modo Chandelier, the Endless system is designed to adapt to the needs of the architect or interior designer. It can be arranged as a small, compact fixture for a residential setting or extended across an entire ceiling to create a bold, immersive installation in a commercial space.

Endless is a statement about how lighting can function as architecture within a room. Rather than being a passive element, lighting becomes an active participant in shaping space, creating rhythm and movement through its repeated forms. The piece exemplifies Jason Miller Lighting’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what lighting can achieve—not just in terms of illumination but as a fundamental part of spatial design.

6. Mini Farrago

For those who appreciate delicate craftsmanship, the Mini Farrago is a standout piece. Unlike the bolder, larger fixtures in Miller’s repertoire, the Mini Farrago is more intimate, yet it retains all the complexity and depth found in his larger designs. Composed of small, hand-blown glass orbs, each piece of the Mini Farrago is suspended from thin wires, creating the illusion that the orbs are floating in mid-air.

The interplay between light and glass creates an ethereal effect, with light reflecting and refracting through the delicate orbs. This attention to detail and materiality is a hallmark of Jason Miller Lighting—the ability to transform everyday materials into something extraordinary. The Mini Farrago is perfect for more intimate spaces, offering a soft, ambient glow that adds warmth and elegance to any room.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Jason Miller Lighting

Jason Miller Lighting stands at the intersection of art, architecture, and design. His pieces are more than just functional objects—they are explorations of materiality, form, and the relationship between light and space. From the industrial-inspired Modo Chandelier to the sculptural Superordinate Antler Chandelier, Miller’s designs reflect his commitment to craftsmanship and his ability to imbue everyday objects with a sense of wonder and meaning.

In an era where lighting design is often overshadowed by other elements of interior design, Jason Miller Lighting reminds us that light is a fundamental part of how we experience space. His work challenges us to reconsider our relationship with the objects around us and how they shape the way we live. Whether through modular systems like Endless or playful reinterpretations like the Superordinate Antler Chandelier, Jason Miller’s work will continue to define the future of lighting design.