Designer Yvonne van Zummeren is a jewelry designer who is not afraid to be brave by using 3D printing to transform elements of 20th century art into beautiful, wearable pieces – and she believes her work could help interest more women in the technology.

Van Zummeren will be speaking at this year’s TCT Show + Personalize at the NEC in Birmingham, which runs on September 25th and 26th, to discuss her work and her experiences of using 3D printing technology. Her presentation From Dreamer to Designer with 3D Printing aims to instill confidence in those who may be holding back from exploring 3D printing technology, its capabilities and its applications.

She said: “I will explain how [people] can make their own design dreams come true and have their own successful company thanks to 3D printing. I am excited about every new printable material. But now I want new materials that I, as a designer, can work with. I’m particularly excited to start experimenting with the cultured leather from Modern Meadow. Hopefully that will be a kind of leather that designers can work with as well.”

She suggested, however, that some “futuristic” applications such as 3D printing on the moon and controversial applications like the 3D-printed gun may not be capturing the imaginations of as many women as they do men. This is why female designers such as Iris van Herpen are doing the technology a great service by sticking their necks out with incredible projects that may help bridge the gender gap.

Van Zummeren is an admirer of her fellow designer, but said their work is very different because even though van Herpen’s dresses are very beautiful, “they’re not easy to wear, since you would be half naked in them”.

Van Zummeren is hopeful that by creating beautiful and interesting pieces for women, she will help to make 3D printing more accessible to a market that might not have given the technology a second thought by putting the process into context.

In addition to being a 3D printing fanatic, the designer is a serious businesswoman who believes that events such as TCT Show + Personalize provide the perfect platform for individuals who are keen to show that they are “not just doing some arts and crafts in the attic with a 3D printer”, but are indeed serious potential business partners.

Yvonne van Zummeren will speak at TCT Show + Personalize on September 26th, taking to the stage that afternoon to share her experiences and enthusiasm for her work and 3D printing.

Dyvsign
www.dyvsign.nl

TCT Show + Personalize
www.tctshow.com