From concept to creation
The idea behind Twine originated in the 70s, when I was studying industrial design at Delft University of Technology. I was cutting a text from a block of polystyrene foam when I impulsively decided to flip the block 90 degrees and started cutting out a different text. This meant the two texts were perpendicular connected to each other. It was a simple action with a surprising result: two texts could be read from the one block of polystyrene foam. This concept was later developed into 3dWordFlip.
At the time, we did not have the technology at our disposal to create the models digitally, let alone produce them on an industrial scale. With the aid of modern 3D drawing programs, however, I was finally able to actualize this old idea.
New possibilities
With regards to technology, digitization and the emergence of the world wide web, a lot has changed since the 70’s. Around 2010, I realized it should now be possible to have people create a 3dWordFlip from their own desktop computer.
Shapeways is a company founded in Eindhoven in 2007, with the goal of making the creation of objects for 3D printing accessible to the larger public. This meant new possibilities for the automation of my original idea for foam cut-outs.
The program
The program was developed in collaboration with programmer and engineer Sietse Dijkstra *. The result is what we call a 3dWordFlip: a plastic block on which any two texts entered by the consumer can be read from two sides. To make this work, the letters have to be written together, for example by using a serif font. Make your own 3dWordFlip here.
After developing the 3dWordFlip app, we developed a new application using the same concept: an app that allows people to create a personalized pendant from two names. This has become the Twine app, registered as a word mark. Make your Twine name pendant here.
Unique
The concept of combining two complete names (or even short texts) in a single piece of jewelry has never been done before. But aside from the design concept, the program itself is also unique. Within 30 seconds after designing the pendant, the consumer gets shown a lifelike animated model of their unique pendant, which can be viewed from all angles by moving the cursor. We put a lot of effort into creating this realistic preview, because it is important to us that the uncertainties involved in buying a virtual product are minimized as much as possible.
Since the launch of our Twine app in December 2015, many consumers at home and abroad have already created and ordered a pendant on our website Twine.jewelry
Warm regards,
Joris Sparenberg
Industrial designer
* Sietse Dijkstra develops innovative technology for both starting and established companies, specializing in software and electronics. In his work, making the translation from complex problems to simple, efficient, practical and ready-for-business solutions is of key importance.