It all started very simply. In the beginning, Shade Again wasn't a project, let alone a brand. I was just looking for gift ideas for my loved ones. Upcycling a lamp base with an original lampshade seemed like a pretty good idea.
While exploring the world of 3D printing, I discovered a fascinating universe of open-source models. But reality soon caught up with me: there is a massive gap between a file downloaded from the internet and a beautiful decorative object with impeccable finishes. The desire to have everything right away clashed with the complexity of the material.
Thinking outside the box
My background is in mechanical engineering. My world is one of precision, function, and rationality. Product design and organic forms? That wasn't my field. Creating objects that are not only useful but also beautiful presented challenges that were completely outside my usual area of expertise.
To bring my ideas to life, I had to relearn how to create. I traded my engineering tools for artistic creation software: Blender, Nomad, and Meshy for generative design.
The science behind prototyping
Designing a shape is one thing; printing it is another. In 3D printing, beauty is fragile. Even with the best settings, it is almost impossible to predict the exact moment the filament might lose its grip, ruining hours of work.
Every print is the result of a battle against gravity. It took dozens of prototypes, many failures, and a lot of patience to make the structure hold up.
When I finally held the SHADE001 in my hands—the first finished model—I knew it was only the beginning. What started as a simple gift became a quest: helping my loved ones create a light that... has a soul? This solo project is my guarantee of quality. Every lampshade is designed, manufactured, and approved in-house.
The primary goal of this project is exploration. 3D and 2D design, photography, marketing, workflow optimization, self-disciplined rigor... and so much more!
New models will emerge according to your desires, my inspirations, and the plastic stock available.
I hope you like the idea, and that you'll find a lampshade to your taste right here!