MEET THE ARTIST

JULIE MALLET

artiste impression 3D biosourcée

"I particularly like using PLA co-produced with organic or mineral residues such as scallop shells, mussel shells, coffee grounds, crushed brick… in order to go even further in bio-sourcing."

JULIE MALLET

JULIE MALLET

Design and manufacture of 3D printed objects in bio-based and/or recycled materials, MARSEILLE (13)

Julie tells us how, after a career as an interior designer, she chose to create her own eco-friendly furniture.

Tell us your story, how did your vocation come to you?

I worked as an interior designer for eight years, splitting my time between Montpellier, Paris, and Barcelona. In my thirties, I felt the need for a career change. I needed to be involved in a job with more meaning. I also felt the need to move, literally, to find a more mobile, hands-on job. Then, after moving into a new house in the hills above Barcelona, ​​I realized I was incapable of building a single piece of furniture myself. I spent my days imagining interiors, sketching furniture and layouts, but in reality, I had no idea how to actually make them. That's how I discovered Fab Labs, while searching for places where I could produce my own furniture. This new world of digital fabrication, technology, and DIY immediately captivated me! Without hesitation, I looked for training in this field. That's how I joined Fablab Barcelona, ​​where I worked for almost two years and learned to use 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC milling machines, and a whole host of other more traditional tools. Upon returning to France, thanks to the Utoplab association, I had the opportunity to create and manage a fablab in La Ciotat for two years. While the projects were very interesting, I missed the creative and design aspects of my former job as an interior designer. So, it was only natural that I started designing objects that I 3D printed. Gradually, I wanted to dedicate myself entirely to this activity in order to offer a more ecological and socially responsible alternative for everyday objects.

How would you describe your style, your artistic approach, in a few words?

I am passionate about creating objects that reflect my vision: stylish, socially responsible pieces that are also innovative in both their production methods and the materials used. I have a confessed fondness for the 80s and 90s. I love mixing styles. I don't strive for the technical prowess of design that is often present in CAD work. I seek aesthetics and a certain softness in form, despite my "digital" approach. I started with small objects: mainly vases and bud vases. Now I also work on lighting designs and hope to soon move to an even larger scale to create small furniture pieces.

What themes or subjects inspire you most in your work?

Each collection or object is inspired by a story, a book, a feeling, a fleeting or enduring emotion... I believe in creating objects that tell a story, where the choice of form, texture, or material is not arbitrary or random, but deliberate and justifiable. I am from the South of France, where I grew up, and I have lived in Barcelona and now Marseille. It goes without saying that the South, and more broadly the Mediterranean, influences my work. It is essential that the objects I create are responsible, both environmentally and socially. I enjoy working with bio-based materials such as PLA, a bioplastic made from corn starch, beets, or wheat. I particularly like using PLA co-produced with organic or mineral residues such as scallop shells, mussel shells, coffee grounds, and crushed brick, in order to further explore bio-sourcing.

How do you work?

I usually work in collections, unless I'm creating a custom project for a client. As mentioned earlier, the theme of a collection generally stems from my own life story, a book I've read, or a sudden inspiration. I always start by sketching objects, then quickly move on to 3D modeling on the computer. Once the object is modeled, I 3D print a prototype to validate the design and make any necessary adjustments. Next comes the printing of the final model, which I create in the appropriate material. I primarily work with bio-based and/or recycled materials. Some pieces require post-production, such as certain vases that need to be coated with resin to ensure they are watertight, or others that are embellished with a piece of cellulose acetate jewelry from the Biocell range, which is 90% biodegradable.
Design is my favorite part, so it's difficult for me to only produce models that are already finalized.

Do you have a particular technique, a specific expertise? Without revealing all your secrets, have you developed your own methods and techniques?

3D printing, while increasingly widespread, is a technique that requires mastery of several skills, including 3D modeling and machine operation. Without a 3D modeled object, printing is impossible. Knowing how to design in three dimensions on a computer is an essential prerequisite for printing your own 3D creations.
In the near future, I would like to develop 3D printing of my own biomaterials made from organic waste such as eggshells, avocados, oranges…
Testing my own recipes and making my own materials is one of my many goals. I would also like to develop my own 100% bio-based resin to waterproof my vases.

Tell us about your daily life, your constraints, your joys, your successes…

I launched my business recently (in November 2023). I'm currently working from home. My days are certainly similar to those of many other entrepreneurs: constantly switching between tasks and juggling multiple roles in a single day—creator, craftsperson, accountant, community manager, content creator, web designer, salesperson… and the list goes on. It's quite challenging to manage all these responsibilities, but the satisfaction of a job well done is all the greater.

Do you have a message you'd like to share, or anything else you'd like to say?

Thank you to Mirette Arts for allowing me to showcase my work and give me the opportunity to tell you more about myself! And thank you to Mirette's customers for choosing responsible craftsmanship!

SOME PIECES BY THE ARTIST

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