Bracelet by Nervous System
I’m so excited to be launching these new Cell Cycle designs by Nervous System today. Not only are the designs beautiful and edgy at the same time, but the process by which they are made, and the people behind the designs is fascinating. Here’s an overview of the design and production methods used, and a little about the designers Jessica and Jesse.
Drawing inspiration from their forested surroundings, Jessica and Jesse develop computer algorithms that model the intricate patterns of nature. From their models, each piece of jewelry is 3D printed in durable nylon plastic or wax, leaving a natural coral-like texture on the surface. Impossible to make using traditional manufacturing techniques, these designs are truly innovative.
These incredible designs are made by first modeling the piece in a computer program, which you can see a demo of below.
Jessica describes the process in detail here:
“These patterns were created by subdividing a mesh rather than morphing it with forces. The pieces were designed using 2 spring meshes that form a vaguely torus-ish shape in processing. We had the ability to vary number of divisions in x and y for both the interior and exterior meshes, we could create a twist between the two rings bounding the interior and exterior and also we can shape those boundary curves by sine waves. The applet has two views, a 3d one and an “unrolled” view for the mesh that creates the exterior surface of the form. In the unrolled view, we can click to subdivide the meshes to generate the pattern. From processing, we export 3d solid meshes in OBJ format. These were then brought into 3dmax/maya (either will do) and converted from polygon meshes into level 2 subdivision surfaces. This last step smooths our angular meshes from processing into the sinuous curves.”
The result is a computer model of the design as shown below.
Computer models of the cell cycle bracelets
Once the computer model is created, the designs are 3D printed in Nylon or Wax using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). Here’s a quick demo on how SLS works.
In the case of the bracelets, the final product is the actual laser sintered nylon model. The SLS technology doesn’t yet enable you to print in sterling silver, so the rings are printed in wax and then cast into sterling silver from the wax model. And the wonderful product of this incredible process is available for you to wear. Get one for yourself, view designs by nervous system.
Cell cycle bracelet and ring
About nervous system
Jessica and Jesse of Nervous System
Nervous System was founded in 2007 by Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg.
Jessica graduated from MIT in 2005 and holds degrees in Architecture and Biology. Afterwards, she spent 2.5 years studying architecture at Harvard. Jesse also attended MIT, majoring in Mathematics. He previously worked as a consultant for Gehry Technologies in building modeling and design automation.
Jessica and Jesse live together in a house by a stream in a forest in Western Massachusetts, USA.
That’s way more clever than I was expecting. Thanks!