5. Partners and thematics

Last updated: 19/10/2014

It is very hard to work out an idea from scratch. A blank canvas is harder then working around a certain theme or problem. In this chapter there will be suggestions on themes and problems that can be used as guideline for the progress of a Creat3D project.

            The best way of motivating students about getting to work serious on a project is by combining the theme with a ‘partner’. This gives it a more serious character for the learners. A partner is someone that can suggest a theme or problems based on their own experiences. In a ideal scenario these partners will take part in the project. For example by attending the final presentations, giving a guest lecture or an excursion.

            In this chapter I will introduce some partners that I have spoken with and themes suggested to use for a Creat3D project.


5.1 Possible partners

5.1.1 Print3D Matter

Print3D Matter is a 3D-printing shop in Amsterdam since August 2014. They sell printers and accessoires as well as printed objects. But they also offer 3D-print services. They can print out objects you have designed yourself but they can also design and print something for you. As well as doing maintenance for your printer.

            They are still a very young company and looking for further expansions of their working field. Mark Austen, one of the 3 founders of Print3D Matter, is really excited about 3D-printing for education. He thinks that every school should have one, but he also sees the problems of teachers lacking knowledge to use them in a appropriate manner.

            We had a few conversations about this project and also 3D-printing for education in general. He suggested some themes which will be worked out further in the next section of this chapter. We are also exploring some future possibilities of a collaboration between Print3D Matter and me/Creat3D. More of this in the chapter about the future of this project.


5.2 Thematics

5.2.1 Recycling: Hack your House

This theme is suggested by Mark Austen from Print3D Matter.

            The current world provides a lot of garbage every single day, which is really a waste of valuable materials and objects. This theme motivates learners to think about this and contribute to making the big trash heap a little bit smaller by starting at their own house.

            Theme description for learners: Think about objects in and around your house that you don’t use any more. How can you give those objects a second life? What parts of the object can you reuse, turn into another object with a completely different meaning. Combine those parts with newly printed parts in order to make a new object that you will use or just as decoration. Everything is fine, as long as your object is no longer garbage.

            Example: Use old shoe boxes as drawers for a 3D-printed closet. During designing this closet keep in mind the dimensions of the boxes.


5.2.2 Adjustment for a more effective use

This theme is suggested by Mark Austen from Print3D Matter during a brainstormsession with me.

            There are a lot of items we use daily that are mass products. Therefore they are not adjusted to the users personal needs. There are a lot of products that can be customized, but most of the times this adjusts only the look of the object and not the usability, This theme gives the learners the mission to adjust a product that they use every day in order to make it more effective to use.

            Theme description for learners: What product that you use everyday would work better if you could adjust it to yourself? Can you think of a product that you would like to use in another way? Design a prototype of this adjusted product and print and pitch it. Or print the adjustment and really adjust your product so that you can start using it with this personal adjustment. Is it really working better now?

            Example: Adjust your phonecase to your own hand. This is complicates to design and you might need to make a mold and use a 3D-scanner but the reward is a very personal phonecase that will fit your hand perfectly.


5.2.3 “I’ve always wished there was something to…”

Own suggestion.

            During your lifetime you will encounter a lot of moments where you search for than one (useful) object that you can not find in the stores. That one jewel case that is big enough for all your jewels and keeps your necklaces perfectly seperated, that one perfectly shaped small closet to fit in that weird corner of your room and many more of those thing. This theme encourages learners to design those things and finally have that one thing they always wish to had but could not find in stores. (Note that it is important that they design something that is really not easy to find in stores and not that they will design things that they were not able to buy or not allowed to buy).            Theme description for learners: Finish the sentence “I’ve always wished there was something to/for…” What product do you miss in the (mass production) stores? Where do you always look for but not a single product could satisfy this desire? Finally you are able to make it!

            Example: A jewel hanger that is big enough to keep all your necklaces and bracelets separated.


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