Congratulations to Dominik Raskin, whose Holder was selected as the winner in the Shapeways 2011 ICFF Design Contest.

The jury, Suzanne LaBarre of Co. Design, Gregory Han of Apartment Therapy Unplggd and Josh Mings of SolidSmack.com assessed the entries and Dominik’s Holder came in a solid first place and is currently being 3D printed ready to on display alongside works by Chris Hardy, Aminimal and Nervous System.

The pen holder was design from the idea to create a minimal surface from which 2 functionalities could emerge, in this case the penholder and paper tray. Adjustments were made to the initial shape to reduce material and costs without jeopardizing stability. First the mesh was tessellated and only the ribs maintained, than the base of the object was made smaller. This all added up to become a dynamic and novel shape.

Both Suzanne and Gregory chose the Holder as their first choice with Suzanne saying:

What a great idea! It’s multifunctional, beautiful, and quietly efficient. Plus it shows how 3-D printing can be exploited to create exquisitely complex patterns that’d be next to impossible by any other method.

And Gregory

If you’ve ever seen dimensional illustrations exhibiting the effects of gravity and black holes deforming space-time, they look strikingly similar to the ornate symmetry exhibited here, transforming what is usually the most mundane of products, a paper tray, and injecting an element of motion and direction all across its surface. There’s also an entomological element which reminds of the strength and inherent beauty of insect wings, and the wave-like form (which at first glance I thought was a table) adds a playful temptation, inviting one to place something on its end, if only to see if the design counterbalances the weight. Overall, my favourite in form and function.

Where Josh chose the Gaudi Stool saying:

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I picked this because of my love for all things Gaudi, but it’s for that reason I know the thought and passion which went into the design of this chair. This design blends architecture and engineering into a contemporary furniture piece that reduces materials use and shows the strength 3D printing has over other manufacturing methods.

We are all really excited about the design and are looking forward to seeing how it turns out once 3D printed.  As soon as we have it we will take some photographs and update the blog with some more images along with an update on how Dominik, and the other Shapeways 3D printed designs are received at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York this the 14th-17th of May.

Dominik studied architecture in Brussels.  After working on a wide range of projects and gaining experience in several architecture offices moved to Mumbai to teach interior design and travel. His encounter with local students and designers such as Nuru Karim and Sameep Padora strengthened his instinct for poetry and natural forms in design.  Life in Mumbai is exactly how people usually describe it; it’s one of extremes, richness and poverty, nature and civilization all clash in an environment that’s pulsating, vibrant and on the verge of explosion. This gives rise to urban conditions which are beyond words!

After two years in India he pursued a new challenge to live and teach in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.  A busy city with too many motorbikes in one of Asia’s emerging countries!
The penetration of contemporary Western thinking in Asia is something he deal’s with on a daily basis while working with students. They are eager to learn the western way of thinking and designing but should value and not forget their cultural heritage.