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Monday, February 17, 2014

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Fractals in 3D Printed Textiles, Bradley Rothenberg


Fractals exist all around us and are now emerging in décor, and fashion. From nature to air bubbles, fractals are self-similar patterns formed from complex equations that repeat itself at different scales from the microscopic to the cosmic. Their complex and repetitive geometric shapes make us want to gaze for hours...

Architect Bradley Rothenberg has become an authority on fractals and its application in fashion using 3D printing. Rothenberg added, "We started using fractals because we wanted to create a new way of making interlocking textiles. Fractal's seemed to have a lot of potential because the same geometry could repeat & interlock with itself, while changing scale creating a textile that could have different performance characteristics throughout.


 LINDSAY IN OUTFIT, INSTAGRAM

The fractal nature of a snowflake was realized in Victoria Secret's Fashion show. Victoria Secret and Swarovski went to Rothenberg with 3D printing Specialist Shapeways to create the Snow Queen's fractal snowflake-inspired corset. 

SNOWFLAKE "FABRIC SWATCH" 
PROTOTYPE, BRADLEY ROTHENBERG STUDIO

The end result was a textile that grew out of an organization of small textile-like snowflakes to larger structural snowflakes. The 3D printed lingerie was made out of nylon and coated with thousands of gorgeous light catching Swarovski crystals.


Rothenberg added, "The biggest challenge was coming up with the joint that allowed the snowflakes to interlock with one-another -- we didn't want to add an additional piece that was external to the snowflake to allow them to connect to each other, rather, we wanted the connection to happen from one snowflake arm to the next -- We went through several iterations of this joint to really get it to work & not look like an add-on to the snowflake."

I am so happy to share an interview with Bradley Rothenberg today...


YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE
I wouldn't necessarily say we have a signature style--We try & develop a specific methodology unique to each project we do.  With that said, however, we are focused on pushing the boundaries on what is possible.  To do this, we are trying to develop innovative  uses for existing materials & techniques --such as 3D printing textiles.




DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Collaboration & a good idea can come from any person & in any place.



CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING ACCOMPLISHMENT
In nearly every project, there are unforeseeable & unpredictable challenges that force us to come up with creative solutions quickly & they have to work. In my opinion, this is the most interesting part of being a designer.


LESSONS LEARNED ON ANY OF YOUR PROJECTS
On every project we evolve as a studio.  Each project provides knowledge that helps the next.



BIGGEST DESIGN IMPACT
I hope it hasnt happened yet.  So far, to date some of the 3D printed textiles have had the largest impact.



MOST IMPACTFUL SPACE THAT INSPIRES YOU
The space inside a 3D printer / Outer Space



BEST DESIGN ADVICE YOU FOLLOW WHEN YOU ARE UNDER THE GUN
Duck.



MANTRA YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING BY LATELY
Coffee.  Coffee.  Coffee.  By Aram Saroyan.



MANY THANKS, Bradley!!
You can connect with Bradley Rothenberg on his WEBSITE

Image credits: With thanks to Bradley Rothenberg 


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