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Dear All3DP reader, welcome to our new series, where we interview some of our favorite designers.

As you might know, we cover 3D printers, materials, models, tutorials, troubleshooting tips, and the latest news. Now we’re turning the focus to the talented and creative designers who have caught our eye because of their fantastic creations. Whether they’re things we’ve printed ourselves or they’re models adored by the community (or both), we wanted to learn a bit more about the artists behind them.

We’re starting this new series with Sonia Verdu, a.k.a. Shira. From the massively popular Keychain / Smartphone Stand to a stunning Gothic Lantern, she combines dazzling detail with functionality and ease of use. (Does the editor have a hippo keychain in her purse? You know it.) And Sonia’s not only designing models for people – 3D print the birdhouse and expect visits from some happy feathered friends. The point is, how could she not make it on our list?

Q&A

All3DP: Tell us a little about yourself – what’s your background?

Sonia: I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist; I studied Fine Arts and artistic ceramics. I have worked as a graphic and 3D modeling designer, as a book cover illustrator, and I have also done artistic work as a painter and sculptor. In recent years, I have been working as a teacher at an art school. I love sculpture and painting, using both traditional and digital tools.

How do you get the ideas for your designs?

To create my designs, I seek the creative motivation of the moment, as I need to enjoy the process of creating. I love finding inspiration in dreams; when we sleep, creativity naturally emerges, and I take advantage of those moments of altered states of consciousness. But inspiration is everywhere – everything I find interesting becomes a source of inspiration. Then, I transfer the ideas to sketches on paper, and they begin to develop.

How much does the technical side of 3D printing (e.g. supports, a design that requires assembly or one that’s printable in one piece) come into play when you’re designing? Or is your designing entirely independent from 3D printing and you later figure out how they work together best?

Almost all the designs I create are conditioned by FDM 3D printing, since it is the method I use the most. So I always adapt the thickness of the parts, the tolerances, the support areas, and more, to ensure that the prints come out as well-suited to this tool as possible. I always keep FDM 3D printing in mind when designing.

Of all the things you’ve created, which are you most fond of and why?

My favorite designs are those that have posed a challenge to create. In general, they have also taken me longer to execute, such as the articulated designs, Ankli robot, Chinese dragon, or Jointed horse.

If you could step back in time and give yourself some advice from the beginning, what would it be?

I would say: Yes! Blender would be a perfect program for designing. And I would remind myself of the importance of enjoying the process of creating what I love the most, because there will be many tools that will help bring ideas to life.