Jiani Zeng and Honghao Deng: Wallpaper* Next Generation 2021

Our Next Generation 2021 showcase shines a light on 21 outstanding graduates from around the globe, Wallpaper’s pick of the best new talent in seven creative fields. Here, we profile MIT and Harvard University graduates Jiani Zeng and Honghao Deng.

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Colourful stripy material
An example of Jiani Zeng and Honghao Deng's Illusory Material. ‘The designs consist of two basic layers: the top layer comprises lenticular lenses, while colours or patterns are embedded into the base layer. The technique can be used to create a variety of 3D lenticular designs, such as shifting patterns, interactive written content, and even touch-sensitive visual effects,’ they say. (Image credit: press)

Designers Jiani Zeng and Honghao Deng of MIT and Harvard University have been exploring the potential for 3D-printing to create products with entirely unique optical and physical properties, and experiences that have previously seemed impossible. 

Their lenticular 3D-printing framework, ‘Illusory Material’, enables users to create dynamic colour and texture in real-life objects. Rather than simply replicating materials that already exist, they have looked beyond traditional methods of design, bringing the freedom of creating material from the digital world into reality. 

Photograph of Zeng and Deng

Jiani Zeng and Honghao Deng. Dream collaborators: Norman Foster, Ross Lovegrove, Tokujin Yoshioka

(Image credit: press)

They have printed a series of products that demonstrate the possibilities of ‘Illusory Material’. ‘The designs consist of two basic layers: the top layer comprises lenticular lenses, while colours or patterns are embedded into the base layer. The technique can be used to create a variety of 3D lenticular designs, such as shifting patterns, interactive written content, and even touch-sensitive visual effects,’ they say.

This new 3D-printing computational method relies on several different functioning layers of material, with information embedded into each three-dimensional pixel (voxel) to create interactive objects. ‘Illusory Material’ opens up new opportunities with multi-material 3D-printing: it has the capability to create unique expressions and sensory products that cannot be realised using other manufacturing processes or workflows. The innovative framework is poised to bring 3D digital material into the real world, offering bold reimaginings of everyday products.

Three material samples on a transparent stand

(Image credit: press)

Vase in purple and pink shades

(Image credit: press)

Grey piece of material

(Image credit: press)

Colourful material lit up

(Image credit: press)

Close up view of colourful material

(Image credit: press)

INFORMATION

Illusorymaterial.com