Have a Heart

Often people mistake my 'Design of the Week' for something I have designed. Sadly, I do not wish to mislead, Design of the Week, is purely a platform for me to showcase some of the great designs other people have come up with, and heap kudos where required. In reality, most of what I do is secret. I'm not talking MI5 secret, just commercially sensitive. And unless the product makes it to market, or I have permission to talk about it from my client, you won't see what I've been up to. This is a shame, but totally understandable.

On that note, I thought it would be nice to share with you something I am allowed to show you, because, for this job, I was the client! Before Christmas I received very strong hints that, instead of talking about the wonders of 3D printing metal (and in particular, silver), I should try actually doing it and create a piece of jewellery for my wife! I've got to admit, I don't usually enjoy designing for myself - it's a bit like working a second job when you're worn out after the first, but this was quite exciting and I was keen to see how it would turn out.

I began by scamping up ideas in my notepad, I thought it would be nice to get some personalisation in there, so it would be a complete one off. I looked at integrating her name or initials and then woke up one morning with an idea in my head. I'd try and make a heart shaped pendant, constructed from our first initials combined together (so 'H' for 'Helen and 'R' for Rik). Conveniently, Helen's middle name is 'Rose' so it also worked as a 'Helen Rose' Pendant. 

3D modelling the heart pendant

The next stage was to 3D model the pendant in my CAD software. As it happened, this was a lot easier than it used to be thanks to my new Rhino plugin 'T-Splines'. For those not familiar with the 3D lingo, this is a nifty bit of software that makes organic shapes a lot easier to create. Where traditional 3D modelling software is quite rigid and engineering based, T-Splines is a bit more like working with modelling clay. Anyway, the model was created and uploaded to Shapeways, a 3D printing service based in Holland. Two weeks later I received my model back, printed in sterling silver and hand polished! All that I needed to do then was source a silver necklace, wrap it up for Christmas and take the Brownie points! 

A 3D rendering of the final design, note the 'R' viewed from the side

A view of the heart from the front

...and the 'H' revealed on the other side

The final pendant, 3D printed in sterling silver

...and worn around the neck of my wife!

Not content with buttering up my wife after the success of my first 3D printed silver design, I then decided I'd create a piece of jewellery for my mother-in-law's big birthday. Again, I began with her initials 'L.F.' but this time gave it a musical theme (given that she had a career as a music teacher). I took inspiration from the forte symbol in music (meaning loud). Now I'm not for a second suggesting my mother-in-law is loud(!), the symbol is just conveniently 'F' shaped!! For the 'L', I flipped the forte symbol up-side-down and broke the stem of it. And there you go, another bespoke pendant!

A 3D rendering of the 'L.F.' pendant

The 3D printed 'L.F' pendant

So I guess in summary I'm saying, 3D printing is pretty cool! This jewellery was as finished and polished as that that you find on the high street - but completely original. It was also very affordable. The most challenging aspect was coming up with a great idea, but from then on, it was all relatively easy for me. It was worth learning about 3D modelling after all ;-)

Ctrl-P (Send to Print) / Death of the Disc Sander

It's exciting times for product designers. When I was training in Sheffield back in 2004 we were still using workshops. If we wanted to test a design, we went and made it. If we wanted to see what a form might look like, we tried to re-create it in foam or clay. 

Back then, I was always keen to cut corners (excuse the pun), in my haste and excitement to see an imagined 3D form (from my head), translated into a physical, worldly form. If I could do it on a disc sander I would! Consequently, how often did I shave the end of my fingers off trying to quickly file down a prototype knife blade?! Or super-glue a new piece of foam to my existing model when I'd shaved too much off?! Oh dear, patience was never always my strong point!

Back then, 3D printing, or rapid prototyping as we called it, was in it's infancy. Rather crude, not so rapid and very expensive, I dabbled, saw the potential and dreamt of the future. Now, nearly ten years on, technology is catching up. If you're handy with 3D software, you can re-create pretty much anything from the comfort of your home. Yes, some of the techniques are still very expensive, but others quite affordable. 

As many of you know, I'm in the process of launching my own kitchenware company. I began thinking about designs back in 2005, but needing to earn a living, gain experience and formulate a viable career have got in the way. But now, as I find myself supporting my income as a freelancer, I've finally got the time, budget and energy to follow my dream. 

A few months back I began prototyping, I now have five models. Sadly, I can't share them with you yet (as they need to remain confidential for a little longer), but I thought it'd be nice to blog about some of the cool things people are doing with 3D printing. It's now possible to print in all types of materials, from resins and plastics, to ceramics and metal. If you have the budget (and it's sometimes considerably cheaper than you'd imagine) the world's your oyster. Check out some of these kitchenware inspired designs (all produced through a company called Shapeways):

Eggtopus, designed by Emporio Gusto

A totally brilliant egg cup, made in 3D printed, food grade safe, ceramic! I love everything about this, particularly the fact that the designer has made it public and you can order your own 3D printed version for only £30! This is a lot for an egg cup I hear you say, but given the fact that a one off ceramic egg cup like this could set you back several hundred pounds using traditional manufacturing methods, it's a steal! What's also great is the designer's product description, very much in line with the cheeky style I like to design my own products:

"Because a soft boiled egg without tentacles is like a H.P. Lovecraft novel without an ominous sense of doom. These egg cups are guaranteed to make your breakfast at least 70% more awesome - also hold your boiled egg in place."

Hidden heart Expresso Cup by 12AM Design

Another clever little design, taking advantage of the 3D printing technology. I kinda wish the outside of the cup was a bit more regular to emphasise the surprise, but it's still really cool.

Monkey Skull Egg Cup by Macouno

Monkey brains for breakfast anyone?

Really like the simplicity of this one, the form does what it needs to do. Cheap too, available for £25. 

Saltypus Salt Cellar by Lovettlab

And here's the magazine shot (although I doubt the salt is in it!!)

Yes, a running theme, people love Octopuses ( and Octopus puns!). This one is made from a 3D printed polyamide, not totally sure if it's food safe, but yours for a mere £15. I like the personality that the octopus has been given with very minimal shaping. The down angled eyes are genius. Apparently, 'Pepper Fish' is coming soon, watch this space!

Africa Ceramic by Growthobjects

A nice touch from Growthobjects; for each dish purchased, they are donating
12 Euros to a fight against hunger charity in Africa

An interesting 3D printed ceramic design here, shaped like the continent of Africa. I initially presumed it was designed for olives, but there's more thinking behind it than that. The original concept was based around the Spanish tradition of 'Las doce uvas de la suerte' or 'The twelve grapes of luck'. A tradition dating back to 1895 which involves eating one grape every time the clock bell strikes at midnight on the 31st December. According to tradition, this practice results in a year of prosperity (maybe I will try it!). The dish can of course also be used for olives, chocolate truffles and berries.

Robot Cookie Cutters by Entwurfswerk*

Charming little cookie cutters designed using Shapeway's 3D printed, 'Strong & Flexible' nylon plastic material. You can own one of these for just over £6, or make you own customised shape of course!

Flamingo Cake Toppers by Henry Alfredo

Pretty lady not yet available via 3D printing...

These cake toppers are cute, but I have a soft spot for flamingos, I was born in a hospital near Lake Nakuru in Kenya (you'll have to look it up to make the connection!). 

Nothing but EGG by B1GB1OCK Creation

...and finally, something wonderfully silly, that demonstrates just how strong the 'Strong & Flexible' 3D material really is! Man this is as daft as it comes, but I love it :-)


Looking forward to showing you how I have been using 3D printing sometime in the near future, keep checking back followers! 

Much love,
Rik xx