Once illuminated, these faceted grey 3D-printed lamps reveal colourful interiors derived from everyday images (+ slideshow).

The Dazzle lamps by Belgium-based designer and programmer Corneel Cannaerts were 3D-printed in colour using a technique developed by the designer himself.

Using a Z Corp colour printer and a gypsum-like powder, each of the shades is printed in grey on the outside, while brightly coloured patterns are applied to the internal polygon mesh.

The process of additive manufacturing allows the colours to bleed into the material, creating their distinctive glow.

"The dazzle lamp prototypes look at the potential of 3D colour printing to embed different states within an object," explained Cannaerts.

The volume of the lamps is deformed in such a way that the centre of gravity falls below a triangular opening, allowing room for the light fitting and LED.

For each lamp, two custom fittings are printed so the lamp can be used as either a pendant or standing lamp.

"The irregular triangulated shape is derived from the mesh - still a necessary file format for 3D printing," he continued. "It looks similar but different depending on the angle you look at the lamp."

Cannaerts has developed his own custom software application to allow anyone to change the shape and size of the lamps.

His software also allows anyone to source an image - a still from My Little Pony in one example - and the software converts it into a coloured mesh.

At present the application only runs on desktops, but Cannaerts is planning on building a web and mobile version allowing anyone to customise their own shapes and colour schemes.