Susan Fang and Orelio De Jonghe Create 3D Accessories for Apple
A collaboration between the world of fashion and precision engineering results in an exclusive collection of protectors for Apple products. Designer Susan Fang teams up with Orelio De Jonghe, former Dyson engineer, to explore how 3D printing can generate pieces with a life of their own. 🌀
Fusing the Technical with the Organic
The starting point was a question: how to make a digitally manufactured object feel alive and in motion? The answer is not in copying nature, but in imitating its growth processes through algorithms. Thus, the accessories not only wrap the device but seem to evolve around it, creating a symbiosis between the gadget and its cover.
The collection includes:- Protective cases for the latest iPhone and iPad models.
- Custom straps for Apple Watch with unique structures.
- Cases for AirPods earbuds and housings for the Mac Mini.
Perhaps true luxury is not having the latest iPhone, but being able to hide it inside a silicone bubble that seems straight out of an algorithmic dream.
The Technique Behind the Living Forms
To materialize this vision, the team employs a workflow based on generative design. This software allows the development of complex shapes algorithmically, drawing inspiration from patterns like crystal formation or bubble aggregation. Subsequently, they print these designs with high-resolution 3D equipment capable of processing flexible and translucent materials.
Key features of the process:- Use of algorithmic software to generate geometries, not just draw them.
- 3D printing with fine resolution to capture complex organic details.
- Selection of materials that allow flexibility and transparency effects.
An Enhanced Sensory Experience
The project goes beyond the basic function of protection. It seeks to enrich the user's tactile and visual interaction. The surfaces feature reliefs, surprising volumes, and light plays thanks to transparency, inviting touch and observation from multiple angles. In this way, the accessory complements Apple's minimalist design without replicating it, offering a customizable and organic contrast. It is an example of how technology can serve to create objects with soul. ✨