Looking at the last 50 years, the Maker movement has completely transformed. In the early stages of the Maker movement, people created products for themselves or their local community, and some may have even referred to themselves as part of the DIY movement rather than a maker.
More recently the desire for artisanal, local products has escalated, and makers have capitalized on this trend, which can be seen in the increase of farmers markets, craft coffee and other local creations. This desire for local, hand-crafted products is in direct response to mass-produced, mass-marketed products that are ubiquitous in a market.
In additional to this increase of popularity of artisanal or local crafts, makers are using affordable manufacturing tools, such as a 3D printers, global shipping and ecommerce to make, not just for themselves and their local community, but for the world. ETSY is one of many online marketplaces for people to make and sell their goods.
Check out some amazing things that are happening with 3D printing and new kinds of creations.
Functional organs can also be made using a 3D printer.
The future of 3D printed shoes.
How has this shift affected you already? What could this mean for us as consumers and as makers?
As a former DIYer turned "maker" I'm definitely excited about this. Initially, I hadn't thought that the farmer's market that I helped get started 8 years ago was part of that same movement but can see the connection now. For a while, my family earned quite a bit of additional income through our Etsy sales. I was amazed when having to ship something I made to Austria. The opportunity for individuals to create and directly reach consumers is powerful. Authors can publish to Kindle. Artist can sell directly through iTunes or Google Play. App developers, musicians, artists, writers and other makers don't need a massive company to broker their deals. Consumers can interact with the makers and provide feedback. Products and experiences improve as a result!
ReplyDeleteYes, I see them all as part of a larger movement toward the concept of customization and contribution, finding the right niche in a complex economic landscape. I love this movement because people have access to an authentic market for their products, which could be outside of the local community.
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