This weeks Designer Spotlight focuses on Josh Korda, who uses his buddhist practice to inspire his jewelry making. 
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located? 
I’m Josh Korda, I teach buddhist practice at a few locations in New York City, and have been a freelance art director (web only now) for many, many years. About 6 months ago I taught myself Rhino and then started creating my own 3D designs.
shapeways josh korda
What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you? 
My designs have two primary inspirations: 
1) My buddhist practice (I’ve been practicing for a very long time). I make rings and pendants conveying some of the core spiritual principles that help me stay calm amidst the challenges of daily life: kindness, meditation, body and breath relaxation, community, reflections on impermanence and so forth.
2) A lot of the rings and bracelets are inspired by the Space Age Designs of the 1960s; futuristic images were in vogue when I was growing up, from TV shows like the Jetsons, sci-fi book covers even the furniture designs of Saarinen. I make a bunch of fun pieces that try to capture the spirit of retro-future.

shapeways josh korda

What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
I was looking for a way to actualize the work I was designing in Rhino that was both affordable and wearable and a  presentable quality. Shapeways was the ideal solution.

How did you learn how to design in 3D?My wife Kathy is an amazing and successful jewelry designer, she’s freelanced for virtually every major brand over the years, who uses Rhino and I grew interested in the possibilities of 3D product design. Kathy has a buddhist inspired jewelry brand, MettaMetalworks, and she allows me to contribute and gives me terrific creative feedback.

How do you promote your work?
At this point, as I’m so early in the process of creating jewelry, I’m not actively engaged in promoting the work beyond simply showing some of the pieces, as they arrive from Shapeways, on Facebook. The feedback has been wonderful and people asked if they could buy pieces, so I started my Shapeways shop to make them available.

Who are your favorite designers or artists?

In terms of great jewelry designers, Arman Sarkisyan and Philip Crangi jump immediately to mind. They’re amazing, and of course, my wife Kathy’s work. There are quite a number of wonderful, inspiring artists who use Shapeways too, Nervous System being my favorites; while their work stays firmly within a set paradigm, what they do they do brilliantly. I’ve also seen some pieces by Dario Scapitta that are very well considered. I’ve stumbled upon some designs by GemsBridalJewelry that demonstrate so much 3D skill – they’re quite motivating! 

If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing?
I don’t feel limited by the technology at present. I look forward to the print resolution of the stainless and bronze pieces improve a little and I’m really happy with the results of polished sterling silver! 
Is there anything else you want to share?
May all beings be peaceful and find lasting happiness!
Check out Josh’s beautiful work at his Shapeways Shop Josh Korda Ornaments, and for further inspiration on Bhuddist teachings you can check out his podcasts on Dharmapunkx or his video talks.