MyMiniFactory sat down with Studios designer Andrew Reynolds to find out more about what makes him tick!
How old are you?
I am 22 years old.
Where did you grow up?
I am from Binghamton, New York.
Where did you learn 3D design?
I am an Architecture Student at Marywood University and have learned 3D Design through several classes geared towards 3D Modeling and Animation.
Which software do you use?
Software that I use varies depending on the task required. I typically use a series of different programs to achieve the overall aesthetic of the design. I use Rhino as my main program of choice for 3D Modeling and Printing because Rhino can import and export many different file types and is great at converting files.
For more organic shapes or forms I will use Sculptris or Maya and then import those files into Rhino.
When did you start designing for 3D printing?
I started 3D Modeling 3 years ago but I have been 3D printing for 1.5 years now and have been building my skills quickly.
Where does your passion for designing and 3D printing come from?
I have always had a passion for designing and creating. I have been fascinated with 3D Printing because this technology allows unique forms and designs to be produced rapidly that would not have been previously possible.
What’s been your biggest project?
My largest project was two semesters ago in Design Studio that was focused on a city planning project in Havana, Cuba.
I worked with a team of students, Dave Olivetti, Robert Trapper, and Domenico Granci.
Together during the semester we created a 3D Printed City Model of Old Havana.
I 3D printed all of the buildings within the surrounding blocks and in total was over 124 total print hours within a two week time period on my personal desktop 3D printer.
Amazing! Is there any project you never managed to design/print?
One design that I was never able to print was a bangle that I had designed for my girlfriend. The design was so intricate and the pieces were so thin that my FDM 3D Printers were not able to produce that extremely fine level of detail. As a result I had to outsource to have the bangle printed with a high quality resin printer.
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I am in Ireland for the summer working as a Research Student in the Fabrication Lab at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Part of this research is working on an open-source 3D model of the city of Limerick that the team had previously 3D Printed and pieced together. I am working on updating this model and adding fine details into the block.
I am also a Freelance 3D Designer and I have several projects I am working on at the moment, I can not give away specific details on the designs because they have yet to hit the market and are patent pending but below is a brief overview :
LateSkate is a safety illumination system for longboards that runs off your smartphone. I have been designing the product’s 3D model and am responsible for the overall physical design and feel of the product casing.
The website is http://lateskatelights.com
The Jelliquarium 360 is it is a “uniquely designed circulation device designed to convert any equally sided tank into a jellyfish aquarium” and the fact that it is being ‘state of the art’ 3D Printed. There will be four sizes offered to fit a range of standard sized acrylic hexagon, cube and cylinder tanks. The website is www.jelliquarium360.com
What’s your process for creating a design?
My process for creating a design is a series of initial concept sketches just to get the idea down. I normally then go into AutoCAD and start drawing in 2D or sometimes just jump straight into Rhino and start 3D modeling.
When was the first time you saw a 3D printer ? Do you remember what went through your head?
The first time I saw a 3D printer was at Marywood University. As soon as I saw the machine working and what the printer could produce I knew that I had to buy one myself, which is why I saved up and bought a small desktop printer as a starter so that I could make my own designs quickly and with no limits.
Do you own a 3D printer ? If yes, which one?
Yes I own two 3D Printers. I have a Flashforge Creator Pro and a ZMorph 2.0.
What I love most about these desktop printers is that both models are open source and they can be upgraded. The Zmorph is a powerful machine that it has the capabilities to swap out the toolheads to different print heads, whether it be CNC, Laser, etc.
The ZMorph 2.0 I had actually won from a Design Competition with MyMiniFactory in October 2015 where I had won the Grand Prize with my Radiant Blossom piece.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
That is a tricky question, I would have to say I get my inspiration from everyday experiences that I translate into my designs. Each of my models that I build, whether it be artistic or mechanical, I can see a bit of myself within the designs.
Do you use social media to promote your work? What’s your relationship with your followers?
Yes I regularly update my social media pages with what I am working on whether it be MyMiniFactory, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
I have a great relationship with my followers that come from mainly friends and family that are very supportive.
https://www.myminifactory.com/users/areynolds15
https://www.facebook.com/andrew.reynolds.18
https://twitter.com/flocka_drew
https://www.instagram.com/areynolds_15/
Don’t forget to check out Andrew’s profile, if you love his work send him a tip!
