We’re excited to re-publish this piece, originally posted in 2015, since Jeremy’s Sound Wave Jewelry and Custom Sound Wave Pendant Creator are perfect ways to say “I love you” (literally) this Valentine’s Day. Jeremy is also interesting for a bunch of other reasons, so read on to learn more about this versatile creator.
This week we are very proud to interview Jeremy Burnich of not one, but two Shapeways shops! Joy Complex is a shop best known for Jeremy’s Sound Wave Jewelry, but has expanded to gadget accessories, modular jewelry, and collaborations with other designers and artists. His other shop, 3D Racetracks (recently landed Jeremy with a licensing agreement) gives him an avenue for even more interests, and shows the power 3D printing can put into the hands of those who just want to create, no matter what the product! Jeremy is also an active Shapeways Crew member, helping spread the word, but most importantly inspire Shapeways members near and far!
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? Where are you located?
My name is Jeremy Burnich and I currently live in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh is a great city that is always making top 10 lists of “Great [Insert Positive Attribute Here] but I’m originally from Connecticut and think I will always consider that state home. I like being by the water and Pittsburgh is sort of inland, even though it has more bridges than any other city in the US.
What’s the story behind your designs? What inspires you?
I like compartmentalizing things so each section of my Joy Complex store has a different story. My sound wave designs for example were inspired by my wife. Last year I really wanted to give her a special Valentine’s Day present so I eventually came up with turning a recording of me saying “I Love You” into a pendent for her. All those designs stem from that place. My other designs come from different interests – movies, music, geometry, Grand Prix motorcycle racing.
I have lots of interests! I explore each on it’s own way but they all inform each other. The only problem is that there really isn’t enough time in the day to do all the work I want to do. Plus, being active on social media, while great and a fun way to get my work seen, can be distracting, in that I can really lose time clicking on things and making posts.
Lately I’ve been very active on the social network, Ello. It’s a great place that is very different from other networks. So instead of “wasting time” I’ve sort of decided to make Ello an active part of my work. I’ve have started directly collaborating with other artists I meet there and create new and unique designs with them! We make cool stuff and make cool stuff all via Ello! I’m very excited about that right now.
What brought you to 3D printing with Shapeways?
I got the idea to work with 3D printing by just being aware of the technology via tech blogs. I noticed the technology a few years ago and started to educate myself on it bit by bit. Back then there was a story once every other month. Now there are stories every day!
The idea of 3D printing is exciting by itself, no? Pressing a button and making something appear out of just the amount of material you need. Amazing! Who wouldn’t want to get involved in something like that. I enjoy working within the confines of the technology. It is also frustrating at times too. But that’s what I like about it – the push and pull of what I want to do and what the technology will let me do. However, since the technology of 3D printing is constantly improving, I find that I am able to do more and more. That is inspiring in it’s own way.
I discovered Shapeways because it’s the largest market for 3D printing out there! I was so impressed when I got my first design printed by Shapeways and haven’t looked back since.
How did you learn how to design in 3D?
I found a DVD that taught me how to use Rhino and slowly learned how to model objects in 3D. I still look for DVD’s and books on Rhino! There is so much it can do. I am also learning how to use Blender to model and color my models as well.
How do you promote your work?
Word of mouth is probably the best! Getting people to talk about your stuff IRL is way better than just on social media. I use social media a lot though. I’m on Twitter tweeting (Joy Complex, 3D Racetracks), and Facebook (Joy Complex, 3D Racetracks) posting. Like I mentioned above, I’m on Ello, but I use it to connect with other artists for collaborations or to get opinions. It’s a calm harbor in the social media ocean. Not an advertising platform like mainstream networks – it’s a cool place to be that I hope can keep it’s head above the fray.
Who are your favorite designers or artists? Who in the Shapeways community has served as an inspiration to you?
I have a spectrum of designers and artists whose work I really admire. Steve Jobs – for his business acumen, his visual aesthetic, his eye for detail. The next Steve would probably be in 3D printing. He wouldn’t invent the 3D printer but he or she would invent a way that would enable more and more people to take advantage of them. I admire Andy Warhol and think he is as much a philosopher as he is an artist and business man. I enjoy Roy Lichtenstein’s work. His work is to art what CliffsNotes are to literature. That is meant as a compliment. There are a lot of things to see and read and anything that can help you find your way is good in my book. I really do like IKEA. I don’t care if people thinks it’s cheap crap. I could walk around an IKEA every day and not get bored. I like what Miguel Angel Galluzzi has done with Ducati design and look forward to seeing how his work develops at Piaggio, especially as it concerns Moto Guzzi.
In the Shapeways community I really like Melissa Ng of Lumecluster – she’s a philosopher, businesswoman, and an artist. Really inspiring all around. I also really like Coretta Singer who has so many layers of talent. I keep learning new things about her that make me literally say “wow” out loud. I also really am a huge fan of Alex Alexander who runs the MiniF1Drivers store. His figurines are so cool. We chat nearly every day even though he’s in the Netherlands. He’s like a best friend but I’ve never met him in person! Field trip to The Netherlands? Yes please!
I could list at least two dozen people on Shapeways though that I admire and study. You would run out of space here. If you want, I can write a blog entry on that!
If you weren’t limited by current technologies, what would you want to make using 3D printing?
Glass. I would like to print something in crystal clear glass.
Anything else you want to share?
I recently struck up a licensing agreement with motorsports complex, Nürburgring, to produce four Nordschleife track sculptures – including the unique topographic models, a design only available through my store 3D Racetracks.
Also, Valentine’s Day is coming up! True Fact: all significant others love sound wave jewelry. Truer Fact: They love custom sound wave jewelry even more! Joy Complex does both! 🙂
WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THESE SHOPS:
- Joy Complex has wonderful photography – lots of detail and context shots that make the products very intriguing
- Sections in Joy Complex for easy shopping
- Wonderful branding on both shops
- We also appreciate the separate shops; though the designs come from the same person, the separation really helps to distinguish one brand from another and creates less cluttered shops
- Shop details include links for updates and a great designer bio for a nice taste of personality
Jeremy, thank you so much for such an insightful interview! We are so happy to be a part of your work and very much appreciate your dedication to Crew as well as Shapeways as a whole. Keep up the great ideas, and congratulations on your licensing deal! Jeremy is on many-a-platform, so keep up with him! for Joy Complex updates: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Ello. For 3D Racetrack updates: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the full licensing story here. As always, to be featured, comment below!
fucking cool bro.. that was awesome design ever i see