— PROJECT
Lumitoro
— ROLE
Jewellery Design
Photography
Art Direction
Graphic Design
Branding
— LAUNCH DATE
20/11/2013
Lumitoro [ˈlumi toh’-ro]
Lumi [ˈlumi], from the Finnish word for ‘snow’
Toro [toh’-ro], from the Spanish word for ‘bull’.
Launched in 2013 during Stockholm Fashion Week by founder Roberto Chaves and his team, Lumitoro is the ultimate fusion of art and science in jewelry – where a designer’s intuitive touch meets the precision of 3D printing technology.
Lumitoro Jewelry is the must-have brand for the fashionista in trend-setting cities around the world. Its slogan, “Perfectly Imperfect Jewelry” celebrates the beauty of imperfection reflected in every collection.
Crafted from the highest quality materials using state-of-the-art techniques, Lumitoro Jewelry is about creating an experience for the wearer and her audience with designs that compel exploration. Each iconic piece tells a story that invites touch and ignites conversation. It is the statement brand for women to celebrate their individuality.
“The collection was a nice mix of stylish and sturdy jewelry in beautiful materials. That every piece of jewelry tells a story makes them feel personal and unique. It also feels extremely modern and futuristic with the element of 3D printing.”
- Johanna Lundqvist, Fashion Blogger
Boardroom presentation. Cocktail hour. Red carpet soiree. A Lumitoro piece for every occasion.
“Shapes” marks Lumitoro Jewelry’s debut. Each collection features a clear geometric aesthetic with a clean minimalistic take.
— THE PROCESS
Modern Jewelry Design
— TOOLS
Paper and pencil/iPad
Fusion360 CAD/CAM
3D Printing
Combined with traditional handcraft
How does Lumitoro create its perfectly imperfect jewelry? We get a lot of questions about the design process and specifically, how we use 3D printing in the making of our jewelry.
Lumitoro founder and designer Roberto Chaves takes us behind the scenes.
“It all starts with a sketch. I love the raw feel of a pencil on paper to give that first burst of life to an idea. My passion for technology and design has compelled me to also experiment with drawing on the iPad with a pressure sensitive stylus.”
— STEP ONE
Sketching ideas
3D modeling
3D rendering
“Inspired by the sketch, a 3D model is born. I work in an engineering-oriented CAD program for pieces with more strict geometric properties and for more organic pieces, in a 3D modeling program aimed at creating movie-like CG. I’m always on the lookout for new tools that best help to transform my 2D concepts into realistic 3D models.”
— STEP TWO
Fast prototyping
3D printing
3D Modelling
“When I’m satisfied with the 3D model, it’s time to bring the virtual to reality. The 3D printing industry has exploded in the past year but I’ve been following its progress with great interest for over 15 years.”
“Now widely available, 3D printers are outputting everything from houses to artificial limbs and even food. After purchasing our first 3D printer in 2011, I dusted off my sketch book…the time for Lumitoro had come.”
— STEP THREE
Fast prototyping
3D Printing
3D Modelling
“We now have five 3D printers in-house that allow jewelry prototyping in near real-time. I’m still amazed that in as little as 30 minutes, I can hold a plastic prototype of a necklace in my hand. Better still, I can make changes on-the-fly. Lumitoro’s beautiful models are eager to try on my latest creations, providing valuable feedback on sizing and overall feel. Based on their input, I can make multiple adjustments and hit ‘print’ to produce a new and improved prototype.”
— STEP FOUR
Production
Materials
Finish
Product Photography
Model Photography
“Once we have what we’re confident is a ‘winner’, the digital files are sent to 3D printing services in order to mass print the jewelry in a variety of different materials.
From sterling silver and stainless steel to raw bronze, matte black and more, the process of selecting the right material and finish for each collection is one of trial and error. I typically produce test pieces in a variety of materials and finishes that I think will work and am often inspired by the results.
The ‘right material’ depends on the visual aesthetic, the tactile sensation and the complexity of the design. We learn more about the opportunities and limitations of each material as we go. For example, the large Stickii necklace can’t be printed with the stainless steel process we use, which is the reason the Stickii pendant was created.”
— STEP FIVE
Final delivery
“Having decided on the material and finish for a collection, it’s time to place the orders. I still get a rush when the delivery person arrives bearing Lumitoro gifts. They are only ours to admire for a short time before they become gifts to their proud owners. Whether you treat yourself or receive a Lumitoro piece from someone you hold dear, I want you to know that its conception was this designer’s labour of love. Created to celebrate the perfection in imperfection, Lumitoro truly is perfectly imperfect.”
Lumitoro has garnered global recognition, appearing in numerous magazines and television segments. Among these features was a spotlight on TV4's morning segment titled “Autumn’s Hottest Jewellery & Watches.”