[3D Printing News] 3D artist and product designer Jorge Valle
We always enjoy reading social media posts, blogs, and videos to see how people use the Ultimaker 3D printer.
When we saw the amazing video of Jorge Valle with his design (and 3D printing) process, we couldn't wait to contact him for more information.
Jorge Valle, 26, is the former design director of Spanish furniture manufacturer Cancio and now works at a multidisciplinary design company in New Zealand.
We contacted Myles Montgomery and asked him how he incorporated 3D printing into his design process, whether it was using it to create furniture prototypes for new ideas or to make gifts for his mother. 
Jorge Valle
When did you start using 3D printing?
About three or four years ago, I started following news about 3D printing. I decided to take action and start making my own things with Ultimaker 2. I began by designing and printing small, practical items, such as phone cases, my camera stand, and even a pair of tweezers. Later, I decided to incorporate 3D printing into my Cancio furniture design process.
Can you describe your typical design process?
When I have a new idea for a new object, I usually start by sketching using polygon tools like Cinema 4D, which allows me to quickly create the rough shape I want. Once I have a basic model, I can then use CAD software (Catia or Fusion 360) to build a more precise model.
I will use Ultimaker Cura to slice the STL file exported from CAD and get a functional prototype of the object within a few hours.
That's the beauty of 3D printing. I use 3D printing precisely when I want to try out prototypes in real life, and based on the results, I usually go back to CAD.
The file was slightly modified to make it perfect.
How can 3D printing be transformed into the creation of furniture prototypes?
While developing new mechanisms for our products for Cancio, we needed to test them to ensure everything was working correctly. These mechanisms typically involve parts manufactured using plastic molding in the final production process, so 3D printing provides an excellent opportunity to test these mechanisms at low cost.
In one of our projects, we needed to design a mechanism for locking an expandable table composed of two different moving parts. So I started sketching out some ideas, converting them into 3D models and printing them out, testing them in real-world scenarios, and within a few hours, I had the first idea, along with a functional prototype mechanism. 3D printing made this process so simple and fast. 
Expansionable desktop lock mechanism prototype
Replacement parts designed for factory machines
Have you noticed that 3D printers already have applications beyond prototyping?
In certain situations, a part connecting the ventilation duct in a machine at the factory might break. The time spent ordering and waiting for a replacement prevents the machine from operating during continuous production. Therefore, I decided to design and print a similar device, using our Ultimaker, that could reduce this downtime from days to hours, saving our customers significant money and problems.
What do you think of it outside of work?
If you are a 3D artist or product designer, 3D printing is the best way to see your creative activities.
Thanks to my Ultimaker 3D printer, I was able to provide the best Christmas gifts for family and friends, offering custom-printed pieces. My mother loves cacti, so I decided to create a plantation (potted plants) filled with soil and bought three different types of cacti from IKEA. She loved it! 
Custom-made 3D printed cactus pot - the perfect Christmas gift
As a designer, have you used other prototyping methodologies?
Before we started using 3D printers at Cancio, we used expensive injection molds developed by different companies to create prototypes. This presented a problem.
Not only in terms of cost, but also in terms of time. Once we sent the files, we had to wait several days to get the first prototype, then make changes to the model and repeat the process. With a 3D printer, everything is done in-house, and you can see the results in hours instead of days.
Give them more freedom to design different things and test them.
Are you using 3D printing for any new projects?
I'm currently working in New Zealand for the multidisciplinary design firm Myles Montgomery, where I'm developing a project that combines virtual-to-real, architectural visualization, and 3D printing. It's a project that's been in my mind for years, combining my skills as an industrial designer and a 3D artist, but I can't offer more details at this time.
We look forward to seeing the finished product! Thanks to Jorge for sharing his ideas on the 3D design process. You can see more of his work on his website.
Original link: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52653-in-the-spotlight-jorge-valle-3d-artist-and-product-designer