Remember these from two years ago?
It was part of our DataDecs project where we made Christmas decorations from social media data, using the very latest 3D printing technologies. We had been wanting to play around with 3D printing for a while, and you know what we're like, we're more Tescos than Troika, so we made Christmas decorations.
Two years down the line and we've automated the process a bit and launched a thing where you can order your very own, personalised Twitter Snowman. Here's the science bit,
You enter a Twitter username and we extract the data we need. Then you fill in the order form and pay us using PayPal.Your data is turned into a 3D design file and printed on a machine called the Z-Corp. This makes individual 3D objects by applying glue to a bed of powder to make a durable solid object. Colour is applied to eyes, nose and buttons and the whole thing is cured to make it long-lasting.Then we pop it in a box and dispatch it to you, causing a uniquely Social Media frisson around your festive tree.
You also get your Twitter handle printed underneath. They are totally unique!
I guess the thing that's changed in two years is that we now have more experience of shipping and fullfillment. That might sound like a small thing but it really isn't. Having the idea, designing the thing - that's only the beginning. Real artists ship. The experiment that is RIG continues. Quietly messing about with new technologies. And occasionally shipping.
Anyway. Buy one! They make the perfect gift for that 'hard to think of a gift for' person in your life.
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