Piecing Together the Beauty of Design Puzzles from Edith Beurskens
Piecing Together the Beauty of Design Puzzles from Edith Beurskens
Discovering the Depth of Craft in Edith Beurskens’ 3D Printed Designs
Project:
Edith Beurskens
Photography:
Courtesy of Edith Beurskens
Words:
Marissa Stempien
Freelance artist, graphic and interior designer Edith Beurskens is creating pieces of art made decidedly for the home. The visual creative, based in Amsterdam, discovered 3D printing when moving into her own home. Her need to create pieces during the building process led to her using the medium creatively, inspiring her to make wall art for her own home. Soon she was creating “design puzzles”—homemade 3D art made from plant-based material PLA and painted by hand.
The pieces, a minimalist palette of browns, taupes, greens, and creams, do feel like puzzles, with three-dimensional cut shapes, interlocking forms, and patterns that seem to fit together in unexpected ways. The layers and hand-painted forms make for unique and one-of-a-kind artistry, adding dimension and textures to walls and spaces. It creates depth and structure, even in spaces where there is none. Edith discusses what she loves about her designs, what inspires her work, and how she discovered the beauty of 3D printing.
VISUAL PLEASURE Magazine:
You’re both a graphic and interior designer as well as an artist. How did you fall into these disciplines, and was this something you always want to do?
Edith Beurskens: I studied first at a school for brand building and design. It was a broad study with all kinds of disciplines. Afterward, I started my first job at Scotch & Soda in the marketing department as a graphic designer. I learned a lot about design skills. After that, I worked as an art director and designer at Marie-Stella-Maris. There, I was totally free to design everything for the brand how I liked it. A dream job!
But after four years, I decided it was time for a break to refresh and rethink my creative process. That was the moment I started as a freelancer. I did a study in interior design and had a couple of really nice interior projects coming up, where I made 3D sketches and styled the whole project. I think graphic design and 3D design is something that overlaps in inspiration and design.
How do you feel that graphic and interior design differ or relate to one another within your art?
Both are disciplines that need some technical skills, styling skills, and drawing skills. Also, you need to think in layers and storytelling. I think it overlaps a lot in all kinds of ways.
Do they lend to each other creatively, or do they allow you two distinct outlets with which to wield your creativity?
In all facets are overlapping techniques or materials; I think it’s like cooking, something a bit more of this, sometimes a bit more of that. You experiment and get new “flavors!”
What is the inspiration behind your art? What are you trying to convey to your audience?
The inspiration behind my art came up after I moved into my new home. I did a lot of “do-it-yourself” things and came into the process through new materials—for example, 3D printing. I experimented with several shapes for practical products I needed for building the home.
Then my creative mind came in, and I thought if I can make anything with 3D art—I can also make wall art. I started sketching how I normally do with my freelance design jobs, and the idea was born. So I was mostly inspired by the technical possibilities that the material offers. I felt like creating design puzzles.
You’ve noted that you use plant-based material in your art. Do you feel that you’re better able to express yourself creatively when you use these types of natural elements in your designs?
I think it’s a really great and new way to create art with this kind of material. It’s flexible and biodegradable. Next to the freedom of design it offers, it’s really nice that it’s plant-based.
You’ve done a couple of collaborations with other artists and studios. How do you choose which artists you will collaborate with or decide on the pieces that will be made?
I am always looking for a kind of aesthetic in design that is close to my own style. I think my personal taste and feelings are the most important when designing and collaborating with other creatives.
You’ve worked with a number of brands as well. What have been some of your favorite partnerships?
All the brands I worked with were inspiring because they fit within the style, process, and inspiration of where I was at that moment. I believe in the law of attraction. You work together when it comes to your path. Don’t search for something—when the time is right, it always pops up.
Which do you felt pushed you the most creatively? Which were the most difficult?
Sometimes you can get lost in the design process; I think I’ve been very inspired by colleagues and friends who gave me the right feedback at the right time. In the end, I am always happy with the designs because I work on them until I am totally happy. So I don’t have a specific brand that pops out.
What are you hoping to work on next? How do you hope that your work will develop creatively over this next year?
I am working now on getting a bigger atelier space. I feel like bigger ideas are coming up—new designs with new materials and techniques. I’m still in the developing phase, but I feel like some new ideas will definitely see the light this year! I’m looking forward to working them out!
“I believe in the law of attraction. You work together when it comes to your path. Don’t search for something—when the time is right, it always pops up.”
