I’ve worked for many different people, it doesn’t matter to me what the object is, what matters is, can I create a sound 3D model of it and can it be printed? I love a challenge.

At Dot San you can see some of the crazy stuff I’ve modeled from shoes to door-handles, spaceships to body parts. Recently, I’ve been working more with artists who are beginning to harness the possibilities of 3d Printing. An interesting project I’ve just finished working on was for Stephanie Lampert – a New York based artist. Her exhibition Reconstructed Reliquaries at the Clair Oliver Gallery showed everyday objects formed by words. It definitely pushed all our skills to their limits, and it really pushed the boundaries of the Shapeways 3D printing process.  But the end result was well worth it and her work is an excellent example of what Shapeways can do. Increasingly, I’m choosing projects through which I can learn and apply new techniques or process.

I like working with illustrators because they mainly work in 2 dimensions, it’s great taking their drawings and adding a 3rd dimension and even printing their illustration and giving it physical form.

I often get asked to repair and shell complex stl files for printing as sometimes the online automatic solutions are not enough. This task often takes a lot of patience because there is no quick fix, but Rhino 3D does have some excellent mesh repair tools although it can be a bit of a black art.

Duann: Why do you prefer working on bespoke projects rather than mass-produced products? – how do they compare for personal satisfaction.

For me –if the product or artifact is interesting, challenging and the client is passionate about what they want to create – I’ll be on board. No two days or projects are ever same!

I’ve worked on mass manufactured products where processes are very corporate and profits are the only reason to exist, there is a sense of dismay knowing that what you design will go through many people’s hands to be produced and once used, the product will be out of fashion and have to be replaced.  In contrast, working with individuals, the products have a good personal story behind them, the process is fun and there is a higher level of satisfaction in sharing their experience and happiness when the parts are modeled, printed and delivered without costing the Earth.

For a lot of people not having CAD skills is very frustrating and stops them from using Shapeways. That’s where I can help, like a 3D Ninja! The internet and the democratization of design and manufacture mean it the process is now available to everyone. I enjoy talking to people new to design and giving them confidence in themselves and ideas. In the virtual world you can create anything and you’re only limited by your imagination.  Talking with people and explaining the process with examples removes the creative barriers for people who thought that creation was beyond them.

I worked on a project  Boys Toys with my young nephews aged 7 & 8, we went through the design process from concept to specification and 3D print. It was very enjoyable. They loved it and it’s a demonstration that no mater what your age and ability, you have the right to, and can create anything you want.

Each project I work on is very different so it can be tricky sometimes – but I always ask for a fixed price and a deposit.  When someone comes to me with a concept, idea, or drawing I will map out the project in terms of skills needed, what software will work best and how long I think it will take. The beauty of 3D modeling is you can make all your tweaks and changes in the virtual space, the idea can go through as much iteration as needed and we can make adjustments really quickly.  

It’s a really collaborative process and I have a lot of discussions with my clients via emails, phone and Skype. it’s still a very new process so they need to be aware of limitations as well as possibilities. Many of the hitches and problems we face when modeling a brand-new concept are issues which have never been dealt with before – either by the software or in the manufacturing – so we climb the learning curve together.

I have certainly hired other 3d Modellers in the past and wouldn’t rule out having a few other 3D Ninjas around. I would really like to develop a network and work on some collaborations and I’m sure that Shapeways and crowd sourcing will play a big part in that.

As projects are getting increasingly complex and the technology is constantly changing I am always developing and adapting my skills. I have only touched on 3D sculpting and mathematical modelling I find the work that some people have done with these tools fascinating.

I have started to be more selective the projects I accept, I analyze the projects in the order of challenge, interest and fee. This means I can manage my time better - there’s not enough time in the day to work on some of my own ideas. All of us creative’s have a ‘little black book’ of ideas we’d like to realize for ourselves one day.

The Shapeways community is unique and I’m proud to be part of it. As a designer working remotely it’s great to have a forum to share ideas around and come up with solutions. There is a user loyalty that I believe exists because of the attitude from staff towards constant pressure from us users, some have very strong opinions this has to be encouraged if the service is going to improve.  I enjoy the openness towards competition - something all business should practice.

Shapeways webcasts are great, I like the concept, and Anna is doing a sterling job as a presenter. As it becomes popular it will become livelier and I would like to see more multimedia tools like videos and photos being used as part of the broadcast. The live format is great for generating debate and it definitely bonds the community.

I think you guys should carry on what you’re doing – cos It’s working! Keep introducing new materials and exceed what people want. The printing cost is still a little high for 3D printed products but if people knew the benefits of printing compared to mass manufacture they could definitely be swayed. I would also like to see post print process like sanding and chroming.

3D printing machines are getting cheaper and more accessible I’m sure it’s just matter of time, when there will a Shapeways 1Hr 3D printing bureau on every high street.