Sep 1, 2014
3D printing is a hot topic, but If 3D printing is really going to go mainstream, it needs a place where users can choose and modify any design and be able to download and print all the products needed for everyday life.
A new platform called Kwambio wants to become such a place. Founded by Volodymyr Usov, Kwambio is a community for people who'd like to create different customizable products (lamps, vases, coat-hangers, etc.) and share them with the world.
Designers can come to Kwambio and make money from every creation. They can securely sell their original products, without worrying about piracy. Nobody else will have access to their source files. Each product will be carefully verified and tested by the Kwambio team prior to be listed on the platform.
Platform users can customize and personalize products with a few clicks of a button. They will have options to change the product shape, and add any text to the design. The platform is anticipated to stream data directly to user's 3D printer, in a few clicks anyone can create their own beautiful, unique design. "No two persons are similar, so should be the products." notes Kwambio.
There are five main categories of products on the platform: design, fashion, gadgets, decor and art. At the moment users can find more than 20 different products (vases, coat-hangers, lamps, etc.) which can be modified into an innumerable quantity of goods.
It's designed to be a creative community where everyone becomes a creator. Users can like and share products created by others, they can also follow their favorite designers to discover new unique products.
For the first few months the platform will be free to use, but eventually users will pay per print. The beta version of kwamb.io will be launched in October 2014, It will be sneak peaked at 3D PRINTSHOW in London this week (Kwambio Booth is at No. D6).
Posted in 3D Design
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I'm not yet convinced this is a good idea. I think the market for custom items has a fast saturation point. most people, from my experience do not want to customize but to buy from an exquisite designer who has made all the hard choices. Still, it will be interesting to see how well they can reach a market. I guess there is a blurry group of creatives who may be interested in this. I think finding them could be difficult. Unless they offer the option to export-to-my-own printer.