6 Cool Things Designers Made Using a 3D Printer

Artists now have access to any form. Experiments led designers to the idea of releasing items for home using such a printer. We explore what modern technologies can do and how to use them in everyday life.

1. Mesh Lampshade

Bulgarian designer Volen Valentynov designed a lampshade from a hexagonal mesh. Lampion Shade structurally resembles small bee hives, through which soft light penetrates. The most interesting thing is that you can even download the lampshade template and print it on a 3D printer. All you need to do is buy a hanging cord, and the lamp will be ready.

2. Shukhov Chair

Everyone knows the famous Shukhov radio and television tower. Russian designers Anna Strupinskaya and Alexei Ivashkevich were inspired by its structure and created the Shukhov chair. It consists of 24 wooden elements that are fixed with connections grown using a 3D printer.

This is a new generation of furniture that can be assembled without tools, nails or glue. By the way, it is also very durable — the chair withstands a load of up to 300 kg.

3. Whimsical Vases

Swedish company COS, together with Dutch artist Olivier van Hert, created an unusual collection of vases. Clay and paraffin were used as materials, and inspiration came from the COS brand's own products. After studying the spring clothing collection, the artist was inspired by its forms, colors and execution. Soon after, vases with whimsically curved silhouettes appeared.

By the way, the artist not only designed them but also printed them on his own 3D printer.

4. Bronze Chair

French company Ventury Paris created an amazing collection of furniture called "Gaudi" from bronze. The very name speaks about the unusual shapes of the items, which would have been impossible to create without a 3D printer. For example, Eiffel chairs resemble the famous Eiffel Tower in structure.

5. Eco-Friendly Vases

Another 3D vase variant was presented by Italian designer Libero Rutilio. But this time, the main inspiration was not just creating an unusual home item but also caring for the environment. Libero suggests not throwing away plastic bottles, but using them as vases. For this purpose, he created delicate structures with various patterns using a 3D printer, into which bottles can be placed. This results in a complete design vase for flowers.

6. Sponge Chair

During her diploma project, Lillian van Dalle never imagined that her chair would cause such a stir. Her Biomimicry chair was inspired by sea creatures with unusual scales. Additionally, Lillian always dreamed of creating simple yet truly comfortable furniture. Hence, the chair consists of numerous cells and replicates the contours of the human body.

Read also:

• Made in Russia: meaningful design by Anna Strupinskaya
• 7 Designer Items Worth Spending Money On
• 5 Famous Designer Chairs