Parametric Dreams is a new space we've opened specifically for early entrepreneurs and students to share their stories and projects involving Parametric Design. Every world-renowned designer was once a student and we believe every student dream deserves to be heard!
Jacob Blitzer is an American computational designer that, as many reading this blog, fell in love with Parametric Design years ago. He decided to do something about it so he started his Coronate Project, an experiment involving a parametric rings and his will to sell them whatever it took!
1. How did you discover Grasshopper and Parametric Design?
I was introduced to Rhino 4 in late 2010, in my first year at Architecture School. I stuck with Rhino alone for four years, and only ever opened up Grasshopper once or twice. It was well known that Grasshopper was how students created the "crazy" designs, but I had little interest in it at the time.
It wasn't until the summer of 2016, when I was working to create customized 3D printed eyewear for children, when I realized that the only way I could bring this to life was through Grasshopper. So, I shut myself in my apartment for a few months and binged on YouTube tutorials until I had a working definition.
2. Wow! Now that's dedication! When did you realize you could potentially create a business out of this skill?
Turning Parametric Design into a viable business is something that I have been working on in some form or another since 2014. I've looked into doing it online, or as part of an ophthalmologists office, but Coronate was the first time it actually worked. It is more difficult that people would imagine to correctly present a parametric design as something to buy, rather than some sort of technical marvel.
3. What were (or are) the main entry barriers to make this behavior change in people?
If a system like Coronate can be broken down into smaller component bits, there is really nothing special. There is UI/UX Design, Branding, Computational Design, Fashion Design, Supply Chain Management, and 3D Printing... all disciplines where professional expertise already exists. The challenge is being able to seamlessly connect all these parts into a cohesive and appealing product. ShapeDiver and its integration with Shapeways will enable a much wider range of designers to experiment with selling parametrically configured products.
4. Who inspired you the most when you first started designing your rings?
The Coronate designs were finished by The 14th Factory's exhibit. Initially I set out to create rings that really took advantage of the geometric freedom afforded by 3D printing, and these designs would emulate some of Simon Birch's more complex designs from the show (which were also 3D printed). But I eventually ended up taking inspiration from the traditional crowns, which were carved by hand from wood and marble, and looked almost like what a child's drawing of a crown would look like.
5. Which changes/improvements would you make if you were to do this again?
There are a few things I would definitely change. First of all, I wouldn't do rings again! Rings are difficult to size properly, and dealing with returns and complaints wasn't something I enjoyed. I would spend a lot more time on the physical display and promotional materials, and would have more sample products on hand. But I would leave the core of Coronate's operation unchanged, though I would consider having a version of the platform available via ShapeDiver.