Lillehammer Laserdesign: Norwegian design with a personal touch

By Celina Tran | Photos: Lillehammer Laserdesign

From decorative details in amusement parks to technical components for industry, Lillehammer Laserdesign is a hobby-product turned family-business that produce everything from awards and signage to bespoke designs.

Based in Norway, Lillehammer Laserdesign has carved out a unique niche in the country’s creative landscape. What began as a small family experiment in a garage has grown into a modern design and production company.

“We bought a small CNC machine in 2013, just to test out some engraving and cutting at home in the garage,” says Stian Andre Furuheim. “We immediately got a taste for more.” Furuheim runs the business with his father, and his two sisters also help. “The benefit of being a family company is that we know each other well and play to each other’s strengths. That creates a sense of security internally, but also for our customers,” he says.

Lillehammer Laserdesign: Norwegian design with a personal touch

The journey from the garage to a fully equipped workshop has involved continuous investment and a genuine interest in new technology. After starting with the hobby CNC machine in 2013, the family invested in a larger CNC router in 2018, followed by a CO₂ laser in 2019. In 2021, they finally decided to take the step of founding Lillehammer Laserdesign AS. “That’s when we also bought our fibre laser, which cuts steel with high precision. That opened up a lot of new opportunities for us,” Furuheim explains.

Steel bedside table designed by OppnedStudio and produced by Lillehammer Laserdesign.

In 2022, they expanded further with a machine capable of engraving on most types of steel, perfect for signs, trophies, technical parts and intricate branding products. The family company can now rely on a loyal customer base from both industry and the private market, and today Lillehammer Laserdesign offers a wide range of products and services in laser cutting, engraving and design; in steel, wood, acrylic and plastic.

Fireplace with engraved motif by Lillehammer Laserdesign.

Making big impacts with small touches

With Lillehammer Laserdesign, you get a combination of modern technology and a personal approach, which allows them to be both flexible and creative in their work. “We love a challenge! Often, it’s about sitting down with the customer, thinking creatively together and finding solutions that work,” says Furuheim. “We’re small enough to be agile, but we have the equipment to deliver high quality on both large and small orders. We take the time to really understand the customer’s needs, and many appreciate that we follow up through the whole process from idea to finished product.”

Among clients is the Olympic Park in Lillehammer, which ordered reception signs from Lillehammer Laserdesign. They also produced 1,300 participant trophies for the Norwegian Championship Week 2024, a large sports event where multiple disciplines are gathered in the same week. “That was a big job, but incredibly fun to be part of something that’s awarded to so many athletes,” Furuheim adds. Another exciting project was designing and making fire pits in Corten steel for Norway’s Nicest Craftsperson, commissioned by the Norwegian Building Industry. “The fire pits are decorated with logos and custom designs, and it was great fun to help create trophies that really stand out.”

The technology at Lillehammer Laserdesign allows them to engrave incredibly intricate details. This piece is engraved from stainless steel.

The project that the team is the proudest of, however, is its work for the beloved Hunderfossen, known by most Norwegian children as a magical adventure park in Lillehammer, where fun, tradition, and trolls meet. Lillehammer Laserdesign had a special project for the Musikkfabrikken (The Music Factory). “We got to help make speaker grilles in 6-millimetre steel, shaped with musical notes, that are installed in the floor of the attraction, as well as decorative notes in MDF that are mounted around the restaurant. It was fun to contribute to something completely new.”

Later, Musikkfabrikken won first prize for Best Attraction Limited Budget in an international competition, competing against amusement parks from all over the world. The award is given to attractions built for under NOK 100 million. “It’s special to know that something we made here in Lillehammer is part of an award-winning experience,” says Furuheim.

As the company moves into the future, the family wishes to grow the business in the fields of industry design and interior design, while always keeping an eye out for new technology and sustainable production methods. Furuheim adds; “We see great potential in component production, industrial marking and custom designs for interiors. We’d like to become the preferred partner for anyone who wants quality and bespoke solutions.”