Marcel van Nispen

Marcel van Nispen is an instructor and pioneer of the 3D Lab at Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE), a role he has held for 15 years. With 30 years of industry experience in 3D modeling and printing, he bridges traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation. His primary focus is guiding students through the evolving landscape of additive technologies, emphasizing hands-on exploration and iterative problem-solving.

Van Nispen established DAE’s first 3D lab in 2012, growing it from a single printer to a facility with 11 machines. He advocates for a balanced approach combining analog prototyping (cardboard, clay) with digital tools (VR, 3D scanning), fostering creativity while addressing sustainability through bio-based materials. The lab’s future plans include expanding into the new DAE building (2027) and integrating emerging technologies like Clo3D and Gravity Sketch.

His teaching philosophy centers on empowering students to embrace failure as part of learning, while maintaining a collaborative environment where both students and instructors co-research advancements in additive manufacturing. He emphasizes reducing environmental impact through material innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration with workshops like laser cutting and digital design.