Apr. 16, 2015 | By Alec
The ongoing Milan Design Week in Italy’s design capital is obviously a great place to see new and exciting 3D printed creations. Opened until 19 April, it’s in fact the perfect place to explore the world of design in all its aspects. However, in terms of 3D printing the most amazing creations have probably been presented by Chinese 3D printed design company Xuberance, who also picked up SaloneSatellite Award at the event for their ‘Sheng…Tang’ theme.
General manager Wang Li with the award.
Fans of intricate 3D printed designs will have doubtlessly heard of Xuberance, a leading company in that field in China but also well-known on the international circuit. Based in Shanghai and a common sight at international events and galleries, Xuberance is China’s top provider of high quality 3D printed designs and trainings. Founded in 2008, they are especially known for their innovative spatial forms that challenge the relationship between people, the environment and the live that envelops all of us. They typically specialize in using digital design to incorporate technology in popular and everyday objects, such as lamps, tableware and even wedding cakes, dresses, shoes and so on. That certainly is reflected in the interesting products they took to Milan.
The SaloneSatellite Award is the coveted first prize of the Milan Design Week, and is traditionally fought over by the world’s most promising young designers in a very intense competition. Victory eventually went to the Chinese designers for their interesting ‘Sheng…Tang’ theme, which essentially uses 3D printing technology to reinterpret traditional expressions of Chinese culture. ‘Sheng’ refers to extremely blooming, which has been applied to complex structured abstracts to convey the artistic conception of the Tang dynasty. All products part of the exhibition refer to Chinese literature classics, though several include the designer’s name to stress copyright protection.
Several of their exhibited creations are the result of a collaboration with Ray Civello, Canadian design director for the Fall and winter 2013 AVEDA line, but all were made using 3D printing technology. Their products were sprayed with automotive paint in either gold, silver or copper after 3D printing. According to Xubrance, their digital sculptures are also attempts to combine architecture and fashion.
Their interesting style can be definitely seen in the 3D printed clouds lamp designs above. Inspired by the cloud pattern on stone carvings in the garden of emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty, they definitely reflect an innovative attempt to bring the decorative patterns that Chinese classical gardens are famous for into everyday life. A USB interface connects the lamps to a power supply, making it usable in most living areas – something for which the clever lighting design, which negates glare, is perfect for.
Xuberance’s 3D printed metal jewelry necklace similarly impressed the judges by incorporating Chinese cultural references. This particular design is an abstract interpretation of the Chinese lunar calendar (for the year of the sheep). Designed by Christos Koukis, it also clearly incorporates the maker’s fascination with in natural and social characteristics into a single modern and unique style.
However, it would not at all surprise us if it was Xuberance’s wedding creations that truly won them the award. And the 3D printed wedding dress seen above is obviously more fashionable than architectural. This particular dress has been largely inspired by, as Xuberance explained, the wings of the mythical Phoenix birds. According to folklore, these birds form their feathers step-by-step and spend their days finding partners. They are therefore often referred to in wedding styles, but have never been captured in 3D printed design before. Its designers have in fact revealed that the complex aesthetics of the dress could not have been made without the advantages of 3D printing technology.
The ‘refreshingly sweet’ 3D printed wedding cake obviously matches that Phoenix theme. As its designers explain, it has been based on a hand-painted draft that was meticulously recreated as a digital file. But again, 3D printing techniques have been able to achieve decorative affects that ordinary cake crafting techniques are incapable of – which suggests there’s a bright future ahead for 3D food printers. By combining white icing and a 3D printed floral pattern, its designers hope that this cake reflects an elegant and complete sense of fashion and design.
But what wedding is complete without a ring? That’s exactly why Xuberance also 3D printed the metal ‘Entwine’ wedding ring, which incorporates two initials: the ‘S’ and the ‘l’. It just shows how much love and affection you can incorporate into a 3D printed structure, though you can obviously make them as complex or as simple and wearable as you’d like. But as a package together with the dress and cake, it’s clear to see why Xuberance were able to wow the judges in Milan. All in all, it looks like they definitely deserved the first prize.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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