Altiora is a desk lamp project focused on form, model making by hand, and understanding materials. It was developed as an introductory product design assignment with clear limitations: no CAD, no 3D printing, and no laser cutting. All decisions were explored physically, through sketches and models. The project began with the aim of creating a desk lamp that works well without demanding attention. Research into lighting behavior, color temperature, and existing lamp designs informed practical decisions around light quality and glare. The lamp’s forward- and upward-leaning posture gives it direction and intent, reflecting the idea of “aiming higher,” which also informed the project’s name. Outcome: a fully functional wooden desk lamp used as the final build, rechargeable via USB-C with optional wired use, simple touch control, and three selectable light temperatures, supported by a design report explaining the design decisions.