Christina Douk has a passion for 3D modeling and 3D printing. She started getting her hands into it in 2011 and since then, she created several characters that personally echo my own imaginary world. You can see some of her work on her website and below in this article. 

Christina, could you let us know about your background and what brought you into 3D printing? 

Christina: I  am a 3D sculptor, I have worked on games, film, and commercials for about 5 years, and now currently work as a 3d toy sculptor at a startup company. I have a BFA in 3d modeling at Academy of Art University in San Francisco in 2011 and since then I have been studying about 3d printing, but it wasn’t till I got my first 3D print done when taking a workshop in 2012, that I changed my career to be more focused on printing. When I saw the details that could be produced with using a Formlab form 1 printer, I realized I can do something with this as a medium as an art form.

And what was your very first experience with 3D Printing?

So the first thing that I have ever printed was this character bust that I built in Zbrush for a workshop with Mold3D.

Zetes’s Bust
Model made in Zbrush
Collaboration with concept artist Tannie Duong
Print by Mold3D using Form 1

I learned so much within that workshop that I started to build and search for more information about this subject, and how to be in this industry of work. From there I took online classes, went to expos and conventions and started reaching out to other artists in this field. After about a year, I bought a couple of my own printers and started testing out prints of my own.

Where does your inspiration come from? 

My inspirations truly comes from collaborations with other artists. Most of the pieces I have made to date are made working alongside amazing artists friends of mine.

The Flying Circus
Model made in Maya and Zbrush
Collaboration with concept artist Eve Skylar
Print by Sculpteo

Zetes Von Boreas
Model made in Maya and Zbrush
Collaboration with concept artist Tannie Duong
Print by Aiman Akhtar using Form 1+

Even with my own ideas, I tend to enjoy sharing it with close friends to make the design even more interesting. I believe that it allows both artists to build off the adrenaline and inspiration of one another, and it becomes refreshing to have this back and forth brainstorming manner. I can’t tell you how many times I have been lost in my thoughts and have nitpicked little areas for hours only to end up in the same rut. When I hit that point I realize now, that it’s best to have another set of eyes to see their thoughts, and ask for advice.

The Worker Bots
Model made in Maya and Zbrush
Collaboration with artist Tu-Anh Nguyen
Print by Aiman Akhtar using Form 1+

Why using 3D printing for your creations?

I studied 3D, and wanted to do something different with the skill other than CG work. I enjoy working with mix media pieces and with mediums that are more tangible. Plus I love sculptures. It is such a different level of excitement when you can see something you create in CG become an actual physical product. Like an imagined world coming to life.

Do you integrate other technologies as well?

At the moment I am just using 3d programs to make my pieces, mainly Maya and Zbrush. In the future I want to incorporate robotics and crank features to toys and pieces that I make. I slowly want to incorporate actual functionality and movement into my work which will be coming later next year.

What do you think of the 3D printing industry today?

I love the growth of the industry and how it is becoming more and more available to consumers. Once I realized I could find affordable printers, I started to jump on it as soon as I could. Going to events like Makerfaire, 3D Printer World, Siggraph, and reading articles of printing, it is amazing how almost every company out there can see a use for printing. It allows consumers to become imagineers.

How would you like to see the 3DP industry evolve in the future?

It is already amazing what 3D printing can do at the moment. Seeing it being used in the industries of Medicine, Automotive, Construction and Fashion, I am sure it’ll just keep surprising us all with the countless amounts of inventions that can be created. Printers will evolve to printing things bigger and faster, and at higher resolutions that when you need a tool or item, you would just print it at home instead of going to pick it up. I can’t wait for the day that I can just scan myself and print an Iron Man suit at home.

Do you have any thoughts on how we could have more women involved with 3D Printing?

The expos, conventions, and workshops have been very influential for me, but I only heard about them through word of mouth. That is one aspect, but I wished to have it seen through more open public events. Demonstration events are fantastic, but it does need heavier publicity for people to notice. It is a niche at the moment that not many have even heard of this subject unless they know someone in it. Most events and workshops are also paying events and not free, or maybe that’s what I have only seen.

If you are interested in learning more about Christina, we invite you to visit her stunning website!

And don’t forget to join the Women in 3D Printing group on LinkedIn and Facebook!