3D Printing To Make The World a Better Place – Thingarage’s 3DPRINTforAID Contest Results

3DPRINTforAID was a contest that we covered in June (click here for review), and the results were recently revealed, with five contestants vying for a bevy of awards. The tagline for the contest summed up the basic idea with: “Make the world a better place!”

Thingarage launched 3DPRINTforAID with MakeTank, ActionAid, Vectorealism, and Impact Hub Florence several months ago. In the mindset that 3D printing is being used mostly for profit, they wanted to see 3D printing improve the lives of the poor.

The goal, in reaching out to designers for help, was in designing a “tool for social advancement and progress both for poor people in the western world and people in developing countries.”  With the intent that the winning design would present itself as being capable of being printed on any quality of 3D printer, it was meant to have an impact on basic needs. Criteria for choosing a winning design was based on low production cost, maximum functionality, social profit, design innovation, and simple feasibility.

The winning design, Turtle, was the brainchild of Italy-based, Stefano Giovacchini. His motto for Turtle is  “Think Simple; Live Simple.” Turtle is a simple anchoring solution that transforms any shopping bag, cotton or plastic, into a backpack for the user to strap on and use when traveling by perhaps bike, on foot, etc.  What a great idea, and this author wants one! As winner, Giovacchini was the recipient of:

• Construction of the first prototype of the project, at the expense of the promoters at Vectorealism
• Coverage of travel expenses and accommodations for one to attend the Rome Maker Faire (2 to 4 October 2014)
• Interview and a video on Thingarage, MakeTank and Vectorealism blogs
• Presence in the press releases issued after the awarding ceremony

Stefano Giovacchini owns Di Segno Studio with his comrade in work and life, Silvia Magrini. They have in the past been invited to participate in various exhibitions of international design in Milan, Belgium, Florence, and Venice. Their unique items are shown at trade fairs in Berlin, Paris, and Milan, and are characterized by “a strict formal simplicity and strong personality.”

In addition to the winning entry, there were several other entries which are worth checking out.  See the ‘Honorable Mentions’ below.

Puritank, by Sophie Grey

Sophie Grey was one of the designers to submit two designs, with the first being Puritank, a 3D printed bottle designed for water purification in harsh environments. The user fills it with undrinkable water, and an active carbon filter purifies it, making it drinkable.

Tri-Mod, also by Sophie Grey

Also by Sophie Grey was Tri-Mod, a modular triangular base object meant to compose simple work tools suited to the user’s needs, no matter how big the hands, or how many tools they might need.  Sophie Grey is from the UK and her biography lists her as a freelance designer and expert in “2D Concept, 3D ArchiViz, high and Low Poly Modeling, UV Mapping and 3D Sculpt.”

Forgotten Children’s Shoes, by Antonio Giordano

Forgotten Children Shoes is “a new idea for populations in developing countries.”  Meant for third-world populations, it is a 3D printable, flexible shoe made from nylon. The design is created to use as few materials as possible. Forgotten Children Shoes was designed by Antonio Giordano of Italy, an architect and designer.

Comfort 3D is a set of devices designed to help those suffering from arthritis. This device helps make buttoning a shirt or zipping pants easier, with a key assist and a handle assist. This project has a great video worth checking out below!

Comfort 3D was designed by Hanna Solstie, who is an American automotive engineer with a passion for electric cars, currently living in Seoul, South Korea. Hanna is working on her third electric car for a major automotive company, handling performance aspects of the design. She has had the opportunity to work in Detroit, in the US, Shanghai, China, and now Seoul, South Korea.

Were you following this contest? Tell us what you think about the designs in the 3DPRINTforAID Winning Design forum at 3DPB.com.