An Overview of the Maker Movement †What is It, and Why Now [Part 2] Hult Blog

â€Å"I do not think that there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of his brain unfolding to success†¦such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything.† – Nikolai Tesla In part one of the  Maker Movement overview, we took a close look at the first driver of the movement, access to global markets. Now, let’s take a look at the remaining three, as we begin to break down why the movement has become a global business phenomena. 2. Proliferation of cheap, powerful, easy to use tools For people designing physical products, the prices of the tools of the trade have fallen profoundly. When I was an engineering student (back in the day), 3D CAD software was priced as high as $50K per license. Today, open source 3D CAD software is freely available. Companies like Autodesk have made their software very affordable for micro-entrepreneurs and engineer-designers, but it’s not the only. GrabCAD enables mechanical system designers to source 3D models of key components that serve as the foundation of their systems, all from a global community of designers. What does this mean exactly? It means that engineers can tap into a network of fellow designers in order to build their products faster than ever before. Until now, software had been one of the largest barriers to using 3D printers. That is no longer the case. Designers can use Adobe  software to  design 3D models, and then send them to a local 3D printer—or an online 3D printer with outsourcing capability. Recently, the company announced that it will also integrate 3D printing in  Photoshop CC. In my day, 3D printers cost many hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars, limiting their use to a select few. Just a few years ago, 3D printers became mainstream (you can now buy one at Staples). And this year, on the exhibit floor of the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, for the first time ever, a section of the exhibit hall was entirely dedicated to 3D printers. Leading 3D printer producers include open system pioneer MakerBot, now part of Statasys, and 3D Systems and RoBo3D. Or, perhaps there’s something you want to scan before printing? Matterform has created a 3D scanner, making it easy to replicate objects by scanning and printing them. But designers, engineers, and makers of all kind don’t need a printer if they don’t really want one. Companies like CloudFab  allow makers to upload their designs into the cloud, which links them to an ecosystem of hundreds of global 3D printing companies that specialize in a wide range of products and materials. Designers can choose the company through which theyd like to print by searching for their ideal vendor mix of experience and quality.      Some ventures offer more than just tools. Shapeways â€Å"helps make and sell things,† from really small items (think a ring), to larger ones (try a chair), with more than 30 material options. The company essentially serves as a one-stop shop: it offers 3D software for designing, the hardware needed to print designs, and a virtual store through which to sell items. To date, it has printed more than 1,000,000 products, and serves 10,000 independently run shops. Quirky (â€Å"products invented by real people†) provides similar capabilities to inventors in the consumer products space, matching their inventions with category subject matter experts and specialists in market research, manufacturing and sales. 3. Widespread availability of â€Å"maker spaces† and mentors There are two challenges that makers face as they begin the creation process: a physical place in which to build, and a â€Å"coach† of sorts to help them through what can be a complex process. TechShop helps to solve both of these problems by providing maker space on a national level, thereby facilitating maker communities where knowledge distribution and transfers can easily take place. There are also countless community-centric maker spaces like the Artisans Asylum in Somerville, Massachusetts. The non-profit organization furnishes education, tools, and workspaces to empower hobbyists, artists, and early stage entrepreneurs, to create on large or small scales. The organization’s goal? To help make the world a place where sincere, creative individuals are able to give form to their ideas. Betaspring, a mentorship-driven start up accelerator, was named this year among the top 15 start-up accelerators in the world. It has the distinction of having â€Å"accelerated† more hardware/physical technology companies than any other accelerator in America. (Disclosure: I serve as a mentor at Betaspring.) A year ago they began building on their increasing momentum by expanding their program, and adding new resources, including a â€Å"Maker-in-Residence,† â€Å"Maker Fellow Program,† and a small maker shop onsite in collaboration with Inventables, which offers a â€Å"Designers Hardware Store,† giving easier access to individuals and small teams seeking to source materials for reasonable prices. 4. Historically unprecedented access to capital Crowdfunding has been a huge catalyst in the surge of the Maker Movement. Instead of seeking one, or a handful of funders, makers now have access to many, many more, thanks to the Internet. Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform, recently celebrated a significant milestone: it provided its billionth dollar of funding. Many companies that have received funding through it—and the myriad of other crowdfunding sites—are also categorized as makers. Some Kickstarter beneficiaries includes Gustin, the San Francisco-based maker of high-end Selvedge Denim, as well as Pebble, the â€Å"smartwatch† maker, and OUYA, the multi-platform console that can play games developed for Xbox, Sony Play Station, Wii and Nintendo on a single console. In 2013, there were a record 31 Consumer Electronics Hardware funding deals, with over $900M USD invested in devices such as the GoPro Extreme-Sports camera, the Nest Thermostat, and the Roku streaming media player. This is double the approximately $450M invested in this category in 2012, and there are early signs of even higher growth in 2014. All this signals that the Maker Movement is moving full speed ahead to revolutionize business, as we know it. In fact, some argue it already has. In my experience, and I’ve got just a bit, I’ve never witnessed a time as exciting as this one in which anything is possible. The number of global resources, and the technology that provides easy access, is empowering innovators of all types to nurture their ideas into reality. You could even say that all of us, on some level, are makers. But this also means that we all have a greater stake—and responsibility—in supporting sustainable innovation efforts that will make the world a better place for generations of makers to come. Make the most of what your career has to offer with a Masters in International Business from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog 7 steps to working out what you want and how to get it, or give your employability a huge boost with an MBA in international business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Related posts News Building success: Dual Degree students win at USASBE Community How going beyond business at Hult helped me launch my company Admissions Accepted Students Weekend: A weekend to remember Careers Career mapping: How to become an executive in the next 5 years 0 Thought leadership How to prepare for an uncertain future in a world of AI News Is mail a dying form for businesses and marketing? Instagram Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .