We’re excited to feature designer Susan Taing of Bhold for our second Better with Shapeways video. Below, read an interview with Susan about her design process. And make sure to share her video on Facebook using #BetterWithShapeways for a new chance to win $100 in Shapeways credit! Details below.

How do you come up with your design ideas?
Each Bhold design is inspired by a problem in our everyday life. When I first started designing with 3D printing as a hobby, it came out of a very real need to be more efficient and not waste time on de-tangling earphones or searching for a place to hang my bag and gear at restaurants in the city. I would test out existing products and felt that they either didn’t work well or were too bulky and clumsy, or sometimes both. They also usually had a look that didn’t match today’s modern lifestyle.

When I fell in love with using 3D printing to design, I started Bhold and made sure to prioritize each problem based on a few different factors: how many other people also have the same problem, the usefulness of its function, and whether an existing product on the market already addresses this need well. After my first few designs, the ideas started to come from friends who liked what I was working on and thought of me when they ran into something they felt wasn’t well designed. Eventually, testers and followers of Bhold started to send me their ideas which I keep on my master list of ideas to be prioritized later.

At which point do you involve Shapeways for your prototyping?
In the first few stages, I go from sketches to modeling to FDM printing because it’s still very rough and I want to get to a more concrete and viable model first. After a few dozen iterations I then would get the first model printed by Shapeways in either Strong and Flexible Plastic or Acrylic Plastic. It usually goes through many more iterations and when a significant change either in form or feature requires it, I make sure to test them in different Shapeways materials such as Metallic Plastic or Elasto Plastic. Towards the end or just for fun sometimes, I might try them in Steel or Frosted Detail Plastic.

What’s your favorite Shapeways material?
My favorite does depend on the shape of the object I’m working with. I love Metallic Plastic especially when it’s printed in a solid shape versus a shelled shape, and the practical side of me loves the Strong and Flexible Plastic because it actually is very strong (i.e. the Bstrong Travel Hook is a minimal shape that holds 25 pounds but weighs almost nothing). I can drop a print countless times and not worry about it breaking.

What happens after the concept is ready?
What’s unique about how I’m designing for Bhold is twofold:
Each design goes through rigorous product testing with Bhold Labs, a physical beta testing program that ensures all designs have the best usability and the most thoughtful design. It’s a first-of-its-kind program that results in over 50 or 100 versions before a design is complete and we take feedback from testers from all around the world.
The final “3D printed concept” is then put out to market to see how people like it. If the response is very positive, I use real market data to decide which ones to take to the next step and put into production. For example, the Bsteady Car Mount has been one that people have loved and given me tremendously positive feedback and reviews on, so I’ve just announced a Kickstarter for it starting today! Please take a look and support or share the project if it’s something that you think would be a helpful design for the world.

How can we find out more about your work?
Today I’m speaking with Shapeways Community Manager Andrew Thomas at 5pm ET for a Shapeways Live interview.

#BetterwithShapeways Sweepstakes Rules
1.     Eligibility. This contest is operated by Shapeways.  It is open to Shapeways users in the United States over 13 years of age at the time of entry who live in a jurisdiction that does not prohibit this contest.  Employees, officers, and directors of Shapeways and their immediate family are not eligible to enter.  Individuals may enter more than one entry into the competition but may not do so by way of automated means.  By entering this contest, you agree to be bound by these Rules.

 2.     Prize. The winning entrant will receive $100 in Shapeways credit to make a purchase on Shapeways.com.

 3.     Contest period. This contest is open on Tuesday, September 29 from 10:00am EDT to 11:59pm EDT.

 4.     How to Enter.  Share the video or a link to the video on Facebook and tag it with #BetterwithShapeways.  You may also enter by sending a postcard with your name, phone number, and email address to:

Shapeways
Attn: Contest Department
419 Park Ave. South
Suite 900
New York, NY 10016

Postcards must be received by the end of the contest period in order to enter.

5.     Winner Selection.  Shapeways will select the winner from the pool of applicants on Wednesday, September 30.  There will be only one winner.  Shapeways will be prepared to award the prize to a runner-up in the event the winner cannot be contacted in a reasonable amount of time.  Shapeways will determine the winner by randomly drawing an applicant from the entire pool of applicants.

 6.     Winner notification. The winner will be notified via email.  Upon contact, Shapeways may need to obtain confirmation of the winner’s eligibility.  If Shapeways cannot contact the winner through the contact information in their Shapeways account in a reasonable amount of time, a runner-up will receive the prize.  If a runner-up cannot be contacted, Shapeways will select a third place finisher to receive the prize.

 7.     Taxes.  The winner will be solely responsible for paying all federal, state, and local taxes that may be due on winnings and, as a condition of receiving the prize, Shapeways may require the winner complete tax documentation.

 8.     Liability and Jurisdiction.  All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply; void where prohibited.  All disputes arising out of or connected with this Contest will be resolved exclusively by a court located in Manhattan, New York, USA.  Decisions by Shapeways regarding the interpretation of these rules are final.  By participating in this contest, you agree to release Shapeways and its agents from any and all liability, claims, or actions of any kind of injuries, damages, or losses to persons and property which may be sustained in connection with the receipt, ownership, possession, use, or misuse of any prize.  Shapeways reserves the right to amend these official rules and to permanently disqualify from this contest any person it believes has intentionally violated these official rules. Shapeways reserves the right to suspend or cancel this Contest in the event of hacking, security breach, or other tampering.  Any questions regarding this contest should be directed to [email protected].