3D Crafts: Pushing the Boundaries of Creation

Alice Le Biez's Innovative Ceramic Bowls

Le Biez's inspiration for the 3D Crafts project stems from her diverse background in design. During her studies in Paris, she learned to work with different materials and gained the skills necessary to create and make products. In Manchester, during her Master's program in Product Design, she had the opportunity to work with new technologies. Combining these skills, Le Biez set out to create a design that would challenge traditional notions of craftsmanship.

The set of three bowls, printed in three-dimensional ceramics, is the result of Le Biez's ambition to combine her different skills and push the boundaries of creation. Each bowl's shape is reminiscent of traditional ceramics techniques, creating an illusion of a hand-made product. The use of 3D printing technology allows for the exploration of complex shapes and intricate designs, while still maintaining the emotional connection associated with traditional craftsmanship.

The realization of the bowls involves the use of CAD software, specifically Solidworks, to design the intricate shapes. The designs are then printed on a ceramics 3D printer, layer by layer. After printing, the bowls are fired and glazed to add strength and a shiny white finish. This combination of traditional firing techniques and cutting-edge 3D printing technology results in a truly unique and innovative product.

The dimensions of the bowls are as follows: Bowl 1 has a diameter of 65 mm, Bowl 2 has a diameter of 55 mm, and Bowl 3 has a diameter of 40 mm. These compact sizes make them versatile and suitable for various uses, whether as decorative pieces or functional objects.

Le Biez's 3D Crafts project challenges the perception that 3D printing contributes to the creation of disposable products. By creating emotional and valuable objects, she demonstrates that 3D printing can be a tool for sustainable and meaningful design. The project was completed at the Manchester Metropolitan University School of Art, as part of Le Biez's MA Final Major Project in 2014.

The 3D Crafts project was awarded the Silver A' Design Award in 2015 in the category of 3D Printed Forms and Products Design. This prestigious award recognizes designs that showcase outstanding expertise, innovation, and artistic skill. Le Biez's bowls, with their strong technical characteristics and remarkable level of excellence, evoke positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.

Alice Le Biez's 3D Crafts project is a testament to the power of combining traditional skills with new technologies. Through her innovative use of 3D printing in ceramics, she challenges the boundaries of craftsmanship and creates objects that are both visually striking and emotionally resonant.