MAQET

Volkswagen sent over some photos of the winning customized car prototypes from the recent Design-Your-Own Polo contest. Amateur and professional designer alike used MAQET’s character design software to create their own dream vehicles, and 40 winners were chosen to have their designs turned into scale models. You can now see 10-inch, 3D-printed versions of the multi-colored design by Boston-based artist, Howie Green (above, right) and the happy bear camouflage colorway of Tokyo-based super-couple, Shin + Nao (above, left).

We actually think that VW’s choice of winners was quite well-picked. MAQET is all about enabling other people’s creativity, so to us, success is seeing the execution of original ideas–even those that might initially make us say: HUH?! For instance, the Polo covered in kisses (above, front row, far left) seemed an odd idea at first, but then it hit us: The designer is saying (in a very straight-forward way), “I love you, VW Polo! Pick me!” Of course, we’re extra proud of our MAQET artists who made the final cut, and Howie Green has another design (above, front row, far right). His rainbow ride is all about happiness, not just for the driver, but for everyone whose path crosses the car.

Even though we make models and work with 3D printers every day, everyone at MAQET HQ still enjoys the magic of seeing a fully formed, full-color prototype emerge from the ‘pixie dust’. Click through to watch the 10-inch Polo prototypes being born at the VW Headquarters. And remember: All 40 cars will be exhibited at the Danish Design Center in Copenhagen on May 25th. During the opening event, Polo will announce which winner will receive a real car with his/her design to drive for two months over the summer. The suspense is killing us!

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We’re often asked to explain how 3D printers work. Well, thankfully, Japanese-born, Canada-based artist, Hine Mizushima, created this wonderful explanation in animated gif form. So terrific! Any questions?

MAQET has gone to the birds…or technically, the birds have come to MAQET. This morning, we’re being visited by a quartet of baby parrots. Awwww…

You’re looking at a farewell gathering of of Saint Bernard and Bernie Cane MAQETs designed by Scott Tolleson. They’re at the final stages of processing at the MAQET lab as we get them ready to head out to new homes. We can still send you MAQETs from our 2011 Holiday Collection in time for Christmas if you order by tomorrow with FedEx overnight shipping!

Here’s a quick photo from the lab! This is a fresh batch of Yosiell Lorenzo’s Santa Bruisers being born. If you already placed an order, one of these guys is yours. We think it’s pretty cool to be able to show you a collectible from its humble origins all the way through to its shiny finish. MAQETs are all made right here in Northern California. In fact, in the case of Santa Bruiser, the artist, Yosiell Lorenzo, and the manufacturer, MAQET, are Bay Area neighbors!

Hey everybody! Sorry we’ve been quiet, but MAQET just moved into a great new space. As you can see, we have a LOT of stuff.

We’re getting everything set up again, and we’ll be processing all your orders ASAP. We’ll throw in something extra for the slight delay, too.

Oh, and if you’re heading to DesignerCon, we’ll have a special surprise for you there. Actually, we might not be able to keep a lid on it til Saturday, so keep an ear to the ground

Here’s a little teaser for a new Frank Kozik MAQET arriving just in time for Halloween. The character’s name is Nailhead, and you’re looking at a W.I.P. Or should I say an R.I.P.? (A little Halloween humor…) Start thinking about whose name you want to write on that tombstone because we may open it up to DIY…More details soon!

The schoolgirls are coming… Details tomorrow!

Chinese chicken processing plant, photo by Edward Burtynsky

Sorry for the lack of posts over the last few days! We’ve been tinkering away in the MAQET lab, and we’ll have exciting announcements very soon. While working, we got into listening to some TED talks, and this one by Edward Burtynsky really resonated. Wow, what are we doing to the world?!

Burtynsky has extensively documented China’s “manufacturing landscapes” with his camera. The image above was taken in 2005 at a chicken processing plant in Dehui City, Jilin Province. As we begin to think more and more about the origins of the things we own, imagery like this is hard to forget. Well, one thing we can tell you about our secret headquarters in Northern California is that it looks nothing like a factory in China! MAQET has a commitment to sustainability, and we recommend listening to the conversation Burtynsky has started.

Shin Tanaka just posted this cool “blueprint” of the making of Patchwork. As you can see, Nao designed the Patchwork Dankeschoen MAQET using patterns from some of Shin’s previous figures. So sweet! But what’s that figure in the lower righthand corner? Look for Japanese Schoolgirl Dankeschoen bear “and special friends” coming soon!

Patchwork is a limited Artist Edition of just 25 pieces. Once it sells out, you won’t be able to get it again! Go to Patchwork now.