This weeks Designer Spotlight focuses on Stefano Alberti, an Italian graphic designer who uses 3D printing to develop fun yet practical products.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?
I’m Stefano Alberti, a 33 year-old industrial and graphic designer located in Milan, Italy. In my free time I produce royalty-free stock images for Istockphoto and Getty Image under the account “tostphoto.”
What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?
I think that everything existing can be optimized, and that it can be more appropriated to the requirements of essentiality and practicality of today. In this case, I tried to use 3D printing technology to develop something useful but also fun to use.
What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
I used Shapeways for prototyping, then the satisfaction of seeing the materialization of the ideas in my hands was so great that I couldn’t stop dreaming of producing new objects!
How did you learn how to design in 3D?
I graduated with an Industrial Design degree from Milan Polytechnic in 2004 and then I developed my skills during the years of work.
How do you promote your work?
I promote my work on my website but but mainly through YouTube and social networks.
Who are your favorite designers or artists? Who in the Shapeways community has served as an inspiration to you?
One of my favorites designers is Dieter Rams and I believe in his 10 Principles of “Good Design”. In the Shapeways community there are so many innovative designers that it is impossible for me to choose one over another. In my opinion it has an immense potential and I hope to make my contribution!
Check out all of the wonderfully whimsical products by Stefano in his Shapeways Shop or his website, and if you’d like to be featured, email aimee@shapeways.com.