For this weeks designer spotlight we are featuring Gordon Lardi of Rip and Tear. Gordon’s love for sculpture led him to designing his own art and, with 3D printing, eventually jewelry! Learn more about his process and inspiration below.


Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?
My name is Gordon Lardi. I have been an Industrial Designer over 10 years living in Coral Springs, Florida. I have worked developing products in a variety of fields my favorite of which is jewelry. It was my love of making sculptures out of clay and metal that led me to the creative field of Industrial Design.

What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?
I think most would agree that the majority of my designs have a masculine feel but sometimes I try to get in touch with my feminine side. My biggest inspiration is nature. I am always amazed how many design problems have already been solved in nature and I try to tap into that whenever possible. I am also inspired by the infinite possible ways that you can you can fill a given space. Just when you think that every avenue of art has been tried, somebody comes up with an idea that is ground breaking and that gives me hope that there are limitless designs that are just waiting to be realized. A tip I would give to other artists is that the quality or beauty of your work is not neccesarily related to the amount of work put into it, but rather I find the best ideas are the ones that seem so simple that you smack your head and say “Why didn’t I think of that?”

What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
5 years ago someone told me about Shapeways and it inspired me to open my store, Rip and Tear. Not until about 5 months ago I received an email that said I have sold something and that was a ring and the only thing I had in my store which I had forgotten about. This and the fact that 3D printing has developed so fast in that time inspired me to go back and upload other works I had done as well as unleashing a new surge of inspiration in the process. How did you learn how to design in 3D? I was introduced to 3D modeling while getting my Bachelors Degree in Industrial design about 12 years ago and have been hooked ever since.

How do you promote your work?
Currently I use Facebook to promote myself as well as word of mouth through friends and family members. Who are your favorite designers or artists? Who in the Shapeways community has served as an inspiration to you? I don’t know their names but I am very impressed by the designs from Apple and Ferrari. I am equally impressed by some of the designers here at Shapeways. If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing? I would love to have a printer that could build assemblies using multiple metals particularly memory metals and silver with an ability to over mold or inlay opaque or translucent enamels or wood. Anything else you want to share? I feel lucky being a designer in this day and age of emerging 3D technologies and am very excited to see what the future brings in my lifetime and my childrens’.

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THIS SHOP:

  • Nice photography; both product and contextual shots (especially great for jewelry)
  • Lots of products, but those with photos are organized to the top of the shop, renders have are still available but are pushed to the end of the shop
  • Sections for easier shopping
  • Great shop description

 

Thank you, Gordon! Great shop, keep up the great work! Don’t forget to check out Gordon’s shop, Rip and Tear. Show you support on Facebook!