Open Design is a website that lets you download and print out furniture designs for free.
You can't use a regular printer to print out a sheet of metal or wood for these pieces, but instead you would use a CNC or a laser cutter to 'print' out your materials. This interesting idea opens doors for even more creative designs, which will push the furniture-design boundary to even greater heights.
Implications - The credit crunch has left even the wealthiest consumer wary of their purchases, prompting companies to offer more affordable alternatives. Things like the Open Design print out furniture do this by boasting a more temporary fix that involves much more customization. This way, consumers can indulge in something unique while still saving themselves from spending a pretty penny.
What's Driving This Trend
- Affordable Customization
- Open Design's print out furniture offers a more affordable alternative with customizable options, catering to budget-conscious consumers.
- Boundary-pushing Designs
- Open Design's concept of downloadable and printable furniture designs encourages creative exploration and pushes the boundaries of traditional furniture design.
- Digital Manufacturing
- The use of CNC and laser cutters for printing out materials in Open Design's furniture designs highlights the trend of digital manufacturing, enabling more precise and customizable production processes.
Who This Affects Most
- Furniture Manufacturing
- Open Design's print out furniture disrupts the traditional furniture manufacturing industry by offering downloadable and customizable designs for consumers to produce on their own.
- Digital Design Services
- Open Design's platform creates opportunities for digital design services that specialize in creating downloadable furniture designs for consumers to print out and assemble.
- 3D Printing Industry
- Open Design's use of digital manufacturing techniques, such as 3D printing, showcases the potential for growth and innovation within the 3D printing industry as it expands beyond prototyping into functional and customizable end products.
