It all started very simply. Initially, Shade Again wasn't a project, much less a brand. It was just me, Maxime, looking for gift ideas for my loved ones.
Exploring the world of 3D printing, I discovered a fascinating array of open-source models. But reality quickly set in: there's a world of difference between a file downloaded from the internet and a beautifully finished decorative object. The desire to have everything instantly clashed with the inherent 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, or even Meshy for generative design.
The science behind prototyping
However, designing a shape is one thing, printing it is another. In 3D printing, beauty is fragile. Even with the best settings, it's almost impossible to predict the exact moment the filament will lose its adhesion, ruining hours of work.
Each print is the result of a battle against gravity. It took dozens of prototypes, numerous failures, and a great deal of patience to get the structure to "hold up".
When I finally held the SHADE001 in my hands, the first completed model, I knew it was only the beginning. What started as a simple gift became a quest: to push the boundaries of the machine and create a light with a soul. This solo project is my guarantee of quality. Every lampshade was designed, made, and tested in-house.