For 27 years, my world has been a vibrant canvas of pixels, vectors, and carefully chosen typography. As a graphic designer, I’ve had the immense privilege of bringing countless visions to life, shaping brands, crafting experiences, and communicating ideas through the power of visual storytelling. But beneath the surface of every perfectly kerned headline and precisely placed image, there’s always been a simmering desire, a metallic glint in my peripheral vision – the dream of creating with metal.
I’ve dabbled, of course. My design work has often intersected with the tangible, collaborating with fabricators and, notably, designing for laser cutters. Watching my digital creations take physical form in wood or steel has always been incredibly rewarding. Yet, there was always a disconnect. My designs would go off to be cut, and while the end product was satisfying, I yearned for a deeper involvement, a hands-on connection to the material itself. I wanted to complete the creations myself. I wanted to feel the weight of the metal, hear the hum of the machine, and witness the transformation from raw material to finished art, all within my own studio.
And now, that dream is about to become a reality!
I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I have just purchased a G-Weike M3-Ultra fiber laser cutter!
It’s hard to convey how excited I am. As a designer, I’ve spent decades meticulously crafting details on a screen, and now, I’ll be translating those details into enduring works of art crafted from metal. This isn’t just a new tool; it’s an entirely new chapter in my creative journey.
This video will give you a glimpse of some of the capabilities I’ll be exploring.
The G-Weike M3-Ultra represents a huge leap for me. It’s an investment in a new skill set, a new creative medium, and a new way of thinking about design. I’m eager to explore the possibilities of cutting, engraving, and manipulating various metals, from intricate patterns to bold sculptural forms. The precision and power of fiber laser technology will allow me to bring a level of detail and complexity to my metalwork that truly inspires the designer in me.
This new adventure will be a blend of my current design expertise and a fresh exploration of materials and fabrication techniques. I’ll be documenting my progress here on the blog, sharing my learning experiences, the challenges I encounter, and, most importantly, the exciting creations that emerge from my new metal studio.
Stay tuned as I unpack the M3-Ultra this July, learn its intricacies, and begin to transform my digital designs into tangible, lasting pieces of metal art. The journey from pixels to plate has officially begun, and I can’t wait to share it with you all!
What kind of metal creations are you most excited to see? Let me know in the form below!
