3D Printing for Fun and Profit

Taught by GothamSmith

Four New Yorkers, an interaction designer, an ethnographer, an information architect and a product designer, had long gathered in lower Manhattan for drinks and lively conversation. We found that we shared not only an appreciation of the care that goes into a well mixed cocktail, but we also shared values on what accessories befit a man and tended to complement one another accordingly.

We realized that we wanted to make unique things for ourselves in the hope that they would last and create lasting delight. When we ventured into makery we examined the objects that were dear to us and discovered that they were artifacts, objects with patina that looked better with the dings, dents and scuffs that come from having history. We couldn't create history, but we knew we wanted to create objects that would age well.

Unfortunately, we didn't know the old crafts of making things. We were men of our time, proficient in computery things, including sending instructions to robots.

At first we used the robots to make the things we wanted for ourselves. Mustache cufflinks for Pete during Movember, bicycle chainring links for Carl the battered cyclist, barrels for the whiskey lover in Robert and pocket squares for dapper Daniel. As these first products arrived, we realized that the process of using 3D printing, particularly when combined with powder coat finishes, gave our objects a slightly rugged look that seemed bound to age well. Not only would they represent us, they would represent our history.