Freedom of Creation (FOC) is an Amsterdam based design duo who carries out research in the field of Rapid Manufacturing, which is a term used to describe the process of fabricating physical objects directly from CAD files, using a three-dimensional laser printer.

The potential advantages of Rapid Manufacturing are numorous. Complex objects can be made on demand, rather than being under- or over produced. Production costs can be lowered and the objects themselves can be continuously updated and adjusted to the individual customer, simply by modifying the data.

Supported by Materialise - a Belgium Rapid Manufacturing producer - Freedom of Creation have been experimenting specifically in printing techniques and materials for lighting objects and fashion accessories.

Rapid Manufacturing is still in its infancy but it is believed that the technique might become as important to future objects as today's inkjet printers are to paper.

• freedomofcreation.com