Now it is time to start thinking about how you could possibly use this technology yourself. Since you are a beginner designer, think about things that may be challenging but within your reach.
Your design might:
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solve a problem
- make something you do easier
-
be a work of art
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be something that people wear
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be an improvement of an existing object
There are many different ways to think about how you can use this technology.
Shapeways is a site that allows people who have made a 3D creations to get their file printed and mailed to them. On top of that, you can choose to make your design part of the Shapeways store and sell it to other people. When you do that, you get some of the money and Shapeways gets some of the money. It is an easy way to start a small business without investing in your own printer or worrying about shipping. Check out the Shapeways website to see some things that people have designed around the world. The designs on this site are created by people like yourself then sold online to people to like their work. Check out some of the designs to see what people are making.
Thingiverse is another site that people use to share designs they have made. Many of the designs that are available on Thingiverse are available for free. People that design things and upload them to Thingiverse for free, are supporting the community of 3D-Printing users around the world. Many people that download designs from Thingiverse will integrate those designs with their own or change the design in some way to meet their needs. Being able to download some of these designs helps designers with less experience make something very advanced in a short period of time. Thingiverse also offers challenge contests in which they will ask users to design certain types of objects. These contests are free to join and are a great way to have your work recognized.
Activity List:
- Look at the sites below to gather ideas and explore designs.
- Below, think about a few different ways you would like to use this technology. If you could design something for yourself, what would it be? Explain why this item has importance to you? Also think about the following:
- Would it help anyone?
- How does it change the way you do things now?
- Does it improve an existing design?
- Is it entertaining?
- Does it have a purpose?
- Fill out the form below with your responses.