Saturday, October 4, 2008

Exhibit Designer Toolbox: Ponoko Photomake


Now, Ponoko has made the remote design/fabrication process even easier by creating a process called "Photomake."

Basically (as the video at the top of this posting illustrates) Photomake eliminates the need for using complicated design software by allowing users to simply draw out their design(s) on paper and then take a digital photograph of same. You submit you digital image(s) via the Ponoko website's interface, choose the material(s) you want the finished version to be created in, and you're good to go. In a short while, Ponoko send you your finished project(s).

I am still very interested in collaborating with a museum (or museums) to set up a "drop in" Design and Fabrication lab that visitors could use to create their own "stuff" with tools like laser cutters and desktop CNC machines. Anyone interested in creating such a space? If so, let me know.



  1. Chicago's museum of science and industry has the Fab Lab where you can go in and design something to be etched on acrylic. There's a 3-D laser printer in there as well but guests were only allowed to make their one design on the acrylic

  2. Thanks for pointing out the space at MSI.

    My hope is to offer a more extensive set of tools, options, and materials for visitors, though.

  3. It's not affiliated with a museum, but check out TechShop in San Mateo, CA - - it's definitely not for the casual user, but it provides serious equipment for making prototypes, DIY projects, etc.