Walmen Dumaliang Brings Expressive Design to 3D Printing

Brooklyn-based designer Walmen Dumaliang, founder of Walmen, is no stranger to problem-solving through design. His experience spans a wide range, from mass manufacturing and UX/UI to industrial design for brands like  Bose, UPPAbaby, Wooj, Craighill, and Nike, but one thing remains constant – his fascination with material exploration and innovation. Through these experiences, he has developed a deep curiosity about the possibilities of 3D printing, drawn to the precision, flexibility, and expressive potential it offers. By embracing the raw, layered textures inherent in additive manufacturing, Dumaliang is challenging the way everyday objects – lighting, timepieces, and decor – are designed, produced, and experienced.

Unlike traditional production methods, 3D printing allows Dumaliang to integrate a more fluid and iterative approach to his work, creating designs that feel both intentional and organic. His process begins with sketches, evolving into digital models where he refines geometry, light diffusion, and texture. Rather than sanding away the layer lines typically seen in 3D printing, he embraces them – treating them not as imperfections but as a defining feature of his work and an inherent aspect of the material. Each prototype is an exploration, with Dumaliang adjusting forms to enhance both aesthetics and function. This thoughtful approach is especially evident in his lighting designs, where the interplay of material, light, and shadow becomes an integral part of the experience.

His latest pieces – Maya Lamp, Carve Wall Sconce, and Orasan Clock – embody this philosophy, merging form, function, and emotion.

The Maya Lamp, Dumaliang’s first ever product, is a study in balance and proportion through a layered, organic form. With its warm, tactile presence, the Maya Lamp, which comes in its standard shape as well as a pointy version, is both modern and timeless, seamlessly fitting into a variety of interiors.

The Carve Wall Sconce takes inspiration from architectural gestures, using negative space to create a sculptural lighting experience. The angled surfaces interact dynamically with light, casting soft, diffused shadows that shift throughout the day.

Lastly, the Orasan Clock, named after the Tagalog word for “time,” reimagines the classic timepiece as a contemplative object. The floating hands and deep-set face create a quiet, meditative presence, turning a functional necessity into a design statement.

By leaning into the expressive possibilities of 3D printing, Dumaliang is able to craft objects that can be experienced, not just used for their function. Each piece carries the imprint of both digital precision and human intuition, a testament to the evolving dialogue between technology and craftsmanship in today’s times.

Walmen Dumaliang of Walmen

To learn more about Walmen Dumaliang’s work, visit walmen.com.