I have to give my art director, Jaime, all the credit. He’s been talking to me about 3D printing for a few years now. I never did quite understand what he was talking about, but he obviously has his finger on the pulse of the future. All of a sudden, 3D printing is all you hear about. And of course, since my artwork is 3D, people from all over have started asking me if i plan to create anything using this incredible new technology. Admittedly, it’s not on my immediate horizon, but I have taken a closer look at it and it’s quite something. Essentially, 3D printers allow you to cast and create your own 3D objects based on the way you design them on your computer screen. The applications seem endless, but some of the most impressive to me have been in the medical field and of course, the arts.
I wonder what Michelangelo would have done with such a device. Imagine if he could have run his revolutionary drawings through one of these devices!
3D printers are already being used to create jewelry, sculpture, manufacturing parts, and even body parts! I can’t imagine how this will eventually change the world when the economies of scale become such that you can have your own printer in your house. It will be no big deal if you break one of a set of four coffee cups. Just go print out another one! How about if you lose one of a pair of earrings? No problem. Just go print out another one! Need to replace a leaky faucet? Easy. Just print one.
Where do YOU think this technology will be in 10 years?
