If you ask anyone what the next form of technology that’s ready to take off is, they’ll likely give you one answer: the 3-D printer. Product design firms all over the world are using them to fabricate models of their latest prototypes, and now they’re being used in a space never thought of before—interior design.
While an interior design firm may not sound like an obvious choice for the use of a 3-D printer, StudioSix5 has been testing the capabilities of the 3-D printer for months and is now working it into daily use. Specifically, the technology is being used to create prototypes of new designs for the firm’s line of furniture.
At a time when the number of senior living communities is continually growing, every detail and every dollar invested matters. The 3-D printer allows designers to present clients with scale models of custom-made items that they can literally hold and experience in the palm of their hands—something that a 2-D rendering can never provide.
It’s an extra step that may provide owners and operators with more confidence in how they’re investing valuable dollars.
Here are a few tips to make the 3-D printer possibilities a little easier to digest and see how they could benefit your design team:
- Assign a staff member or team to know the ins and outs of the machine
The software that works with the 3-D printer is as integral as the printer itself. StudioSix5 assigned one product designer who’s come to know the machine and its capabilities well and works with the printer daily to ensure it’s being maintained and producing models appropriately. If you’re considering investing in a printer, don’t underestimate the time necessary to truly master the machine and keep it functioning properly. - Work with a printing company that understands the capabilities and can educate staff
StudioSix5 decided to lease its 3-D printer through a local technology consultant, and with the lease came a wealth of knowledge from its team. Anytime we have a question, or something might not be working properly, they’re available to weigh in. Without someone to demonstrate the range of capabilities and how to use them, it’s hard to know where to begin. - Educate your team on its capabilities
Once you have the printer at the office, make sure the team knows what it can offer. Send an email or hold a meeting to educate designers on its capabilities and show them how to use it in their design plans. StudioSix5’s designers have found that creating a custom or abstract piece is much easier to conceptualize in the 3-D printing software than with traditional pencil and paper. The possibilities are truly endless, and it can definitely enhance the creative process. - Present the results to clients
Three-dimensional models make it easier to show a client what’s possible though personalized designs, art, or furnishings. They can see it in a to-scale fashion that allows them to understand a complex or bold design concept. It’s much easier for a client to appreciate an abstract concept when it’s presented in a concrete, tangible form, and 3-D models give the client the opportunity to visualize ways in which a new approach could benefit their community.v
This new technology is entering the world of senior living design at a very important time. As the industry becomes more saturated with more communities building and expanding to meet current growth and demand, design decisions are more important than ever to help distinguish communities for seniors who will have plenty of choices.
Three-dimensional printing opens up opportunities to convey even the most intricate designs to clients in a digestible way. Before, there was a layer of mystery when a design choice was made, but 3-D printers leave nothing to question. While the practice of learning to create in and operate a 3-D printer comes with its own challenges, the reward of the client understanding the concept fully and without hesitation is well worth the time invested.
Dean Maddalena is president of StudioSix5 (Austin, Texas). He can be reached at [email protected].
