This week, inspired by upcoming International Women’s Day (March 8th), we’d like to introduce Jordan Graves. Living in a world of design, you can tell Jordan has been inspired by motion graphics and digital influences, and all kinds of colors. We think the combo is pretty great.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?
I design a little bit of everything: jewelry, textiles, motion graphics, really anything as long as it’s digital. I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with my BFA in Motion Media Design in 2012 and have continued to live in Savannah, GA since graduating.


What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?
I love to explore visual rhythms in time-based and static work. I’m often inspired by the avant-garde history of motion graphics in visual music. My use of similar motifs in my textile designs and jewelry, like the digital florals in the Sprouted Spiral Collection. Because my work usually has a digital aesthetic, the 3D printing process gives me the ability the produce my work that couldn’t be made otherwise.

What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
I was introduced to Shapeways by a friend. I had been interested in 3D Printing for some time, but once I saw how affordable it would be for me to do so with Shapeways, with so many great material choices, I knew I had to design something! I actually started designing jewelry as a result of wanting to use Shapeways, I hadn’t previously modeled anything that I intended to exist in the real world!

How did you learn how to design in 3D?
I learned Cinema4D, which is primarily used for Motion Graphics, at SCAD, and it’s still my 3D software of choice. Having previously designed only for things that would exist on the screen, it took a while for me to get used to paying attention to my units and scale!

How do you promote your work?
I’ve been building up my social media presence over the last few months, have been featured on other blogs like The PatternBase and Pattern Observer for my work in textiles. My #3DP2014 Resolution is to have more retailers selling my jewelry in stores, expanding my audience to more than just the 3D Printing community. I’m also excited to be showing my work at the Charleston Fashion Week Style Lounge this year on March 18th. Also, my motion graphics background gives me another way to promote my work. Here’s the latest video I made to showcase my jewelry. 

Who are your favorite designers or artists? Who in the Shapeways community has served as an inspiration to you?
Nervous System and Summerized. When I first started designing on Shapeways, Summer Powell was the Featured Designer of the week; reading her interview and seeing her successes was instant inspiration for me to go out and start designing.

If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing?
I’ve always been interested in projection and alternative displays for motion graphics, so if I could 3D print light, that would be my dream!

What would be your idea of a dream vacation?
I was lucky enough to vacation in Singapore, Bali, and Indonesia in December, so if that wasn’t dream enough… I’d love to go to Europe. I haven’t been and I’m hoping the occasion arises in the near future! Also on my last trip to Asia I spent about 19 hours in Tokyo on a layover and would love to go back and actually explore Japan.