Award-Winning Design Objects 3D Printed into Reality

There's a new technology infiltrating the design world that's democratizing the creative and manufacturing process. It's called 3D printing and it's the future of customized, made-on-demand housewares, decorative objects, spare parts and much more. So how does it work? 3D printing deposits layer upon layer of material until it literally prints an object into reality. 3D printers can use a variety of materials to create objects including rubber, plastic, paper, polyurethane-like materials, metals and more.

The London Design Festival is one of the first international design events to recognize 3D printing as a design discipline and game changer. During the weeklong event, the trade show 100% Design played host to designers of 3D printed furniture, housewares and art objects including one of the world's largest 3D Printing stores, iMakr .100% Design gave 3D printing technology some street cred in the design world by hosting a contest for 3D printed works. Here's an exclusive look at some of the emerging and award-winning talent in 3D printing from 100% Design's 3D Printing Contest.

"Rib Lamp" By Gonzalo Castro

 

"Rib Lamp" By Gonzalo Castro

Designer Gonzalo Castro says his Rib Lamp draws inspiration from the curved bones of the human body that embrace what's in the inside.  "The light produces a very peaceful and calm environment," says Castro.

"Ivory Bookend" By Stewart Davies

 

Winning designer Stewart Davies is a student in his final year of studies in product design.  "I designed this bookend so that when not in use, it can be placed as a small sculpture on a shelf or table," explains Davies. He drew inspiration from the desire to draw focus on endangered African elephants.

"Sir Wrap the enveloped 3D printed vase" By Ernesto Venanzi

 

Italian industrial designer Ernesto Venanzi believes that 3D printing is the future of customized product manufacturing. "3D printing is still in its embryonic state and we, the makers, the designers, the art critics, have to demonstrate to the people the beauty that this technique could achieve in every single stage of its history," says Venanzi. Sir Wrap aims to demonstrate how the 3D printing can build industrially an item that would only be possible to make by hand. "A multiple stage injection moulding process can't build that shape. The 3D texture over the shape itself makes things even harder to make for traditional techniques," says Venanzi

"Twist & Shake" 3D Printed Salt and Pepper Shakers" By Joe White

 

"Twist & Shake" 3D Printed Salt and Pepper Shakers" By Joe White

Designer Joe White calls his award-winning work, a modern 'twist' on the classic salt and pepper pot design. "I used the unique manufacturing abilities of 3D printing to create a product that is both futuristic and stylish in appearance. It also draws upon the natural forms of roots and vines," says White. The twisting heads of the pots create an unusual aesthetic touch yet still remain functional. The pot stand demonstrates the benefits of 3D printing with its intertwining handle design.

"Set Me Free" By Sedef Ala

 

Designer Sedef Ala took a humorous approach to this award-winning bookmark design. "There are many occasions that we have to read a specific book, whose subject we might not find enjoyable enough. This design might ease the bitter truth of having to read a boring book. The character has an impression of escaping from a book, just reflecting our inner world," says Ala. All of these award-winning 3D printed works are on display in the iMakr store in Central London for a promotional period.

As we close the gap between creator and consumer, 3D printing gives us a personal connection to things in a way never possible. Consumer grade versions of 3D printers and scanners are beginning to emerge in the marketplace. One example is Matterform’s 3D scanner, a lightweight, portable scanner that can scan a physical object and create a digital file ready for 3D printing and Printerbot.