Lynne MacLachlan

Lynne MacLachlan designs and makes jewellery and objects that explore colour, three-dimensional pattern and optical effects. Primarily working with 3D printing and software, she takes an experimental, craft-like approach to exploring and pushing the capabilities of these new tools. All the while she marries them with traditional hand processes, such as construction and hand dyeing. This combination elevates the objects she produces to contemporary collectable design pieces, often limited or one-offs, meticulously and thoughtfully designed and made.

MacLachlan’s work tends to make use of vibrant colours and impactful pattern making to create a sense of visual delight in the viewer, using 3D printing to create otherwise impossible yet pleasingly geometric forms.  

Lynne MacLachlan, Future Heritage 2019 Alumni

MacLachlan’s creative, digital, tool-based approach can be attributed to her background.  After a degree in aerospace engineering, she returned to education to study jewellery and metalwork design, with a desire to reconnect with materials and making. She completed a BDes at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art followed by an MA at the prestigious Royal College of Art. MacLachlan recently completed a PhD with the highly regarded design department of the Open University, researching how designer-makers find creative opportunities through tools and applying these strategies to multi-material 3D printing.  

Her work has been recognised with awards from the Goldsmiths Craft and Design Council, the Scottish International Education Trust, the Dewar Arts Awards, the Inches Carr Trust and has been exhibited widely in the UK, and Europe and America, with organisations such as the Craft Scotland, the Crafts Council, the Museum of Art And Design, NY, the National Centre for Craft and Design and at London Design Festival. Her art jewellery pieces are held in the V&A Museum jewellery collection, on permanent display at V&A Dundee and also in the contemporary craft collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.  

Lynne MacLachlan at Decorex

At Future Heritage

MacLachlan produced three new pieces for Future Heritage. The first was a new version of her Entangle tiles, a decorative wall tiling system comprised of two modular tiles that can be combined in a myriad of ways to create flowing space-filling patterns.

The second was a screen comprised of chevron-shaped modules, 3D printed from PLA plastic (plastic from renewable sources) which screens and filters light with the visual appeal of colourful lenticular effects. The exhibition also featured her first lighting designs, a range of lampshades also printed in PLA, which explore colour and pattern within the restraints of the printing process. 

“Moving into interiors and beyond my jewellery practice meant Future Heritage was a great springboard to catalyse and launch these ambitious and larger-scale works.” - Lynne MacLachlan

Current Work

MacLachlan is currently developing her lampshade designs for small-batch production with a partner. They will be produced in recycled plastics with a view to selling them direct to consumers and interior professionals. She is also keen to develop all her interiors pieces for bespoke projects, the nature of all the designs and colour explorations means they can be tailored to suit different projects and spaces.

Lynne MacLachlan, Future Heritage 2019 Alumni

To find out more about Lynne MacLachlan follow her on social.

If you would like to make an enquiry about commissions, get in touch here.  