This week we are thrilled to highlight Brian Chan. His shop, Creations by Brian Chan, are some amazing pieces of art. From articulated sea creatures to costumes, Brian has a serious ability to bring 3D modeling to life.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?
I’m an independent designer and university instructor living in Cambridge, MA.
What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?
I’ve always had a lifelong obsession with things that transform, fold, and articulate, like arthropods, origami and robots. I’m drawn to intricacy in design, both in the natural world, and in manmade art. As a kid I would catch insects just to study them up close (even now I have 3 pet crayfish). My 3D articulated crustaceans are a way to celebrate the awesomeness of their real counterparts. Recently I’ve been making some armor costume designs. Articulated armor has a lot in common with insect exoskeletons!
What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
As a mechanical engineer and a sculptor, I try to stay updated on all the new ways I can physically create new objects, whether they are prototypes of a musical instrument, part of costume armor, or just fun sculptures. My friend, Robert Lang (an origami designer) recommended Shapeways to me a few years ago and I was hooked!
How did you learn how to design in 3D?
I am self-taught. Ever since Rhino started releasing free betas decades ago, I have been very much into 3D modeling. Back then, I used it just to make neat renderings, but now 3D printing brings a world of new possibilities. I now use Wings3D primarily for my sculptural work, it’s a very intuitive, simple but versatile mesh modeler plus you can download it for free!
How do you promote your work?
Mostly through my webpage and Facebook page. I keep most of my Flickr and Facebook galleries up-to-date with nice photos of my latest creations. I am planning to attend Maker Faires (I helped run a recent one at MIT) and if all goes well, I will have some pieces on display at Siggraph in 2015!
Who are your favorite designers or artists? Who in the Shapeways community has served as an inspiration to you?
Mentors that have inspired me are my friends Jim Kelso and JD Smith, both virtuoso metalworkers. Some historical sculptors I admire are Takase Kozan and Kano Natsuo, who made intricate sword fittings and sculptural objects depicting nature. Kozan is famed for his articulated metal insect sculptures, which influenced my decision to try the same in 3D printing. Among Shapeways artists, there are so many, but I feel a certain link to other creature designers like paralogical, Brian_Richardson, and NeoNouveau, whose shop I recently discovered (totally blown away by his artistry).
If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing?
So much! I am always hungry for more material options, better pricing, bigger print size and higher accuracy. Since I’ve been getting into armor costume design, I would love to 3D print an entire armor suit in nylon if I could afford it. Right now I’m designing a custom filament-based printer to do just that (but it lacks the detail of the Shapeways printers) I would design more mechanical gizmos and folding musical instruments (like my folding ukulele), both of which benefit from higher accuracy and a wider material selection.
Anything else you want to share?
I just want to thank the team at Shapeways for not just promoting new 3d printing tech, but also encouraging and supporting the designers who are often overlooked. The success and usefulness of 3D printing really depends on the people using it. I hope 3D modeling will come to be seen as a legitimate art form and 3D printing as an artist’s tool.
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THIS SHOP:
- Great variety of products; creatures, jewelry, costumes, etc. allows for a wide range of fans
- Awesome photography, especially detail shots
- Variety of default photos for a more interesting overall shop look
- Great branding
- Experimentation with different materials
Thank you for such a great interview, Brian! Keep pushing the limits and creating amazing pieces. Stay up to date with Brian’s creations on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and his shop. To be featured, email aimee @ shapeways.com.