London Maker Culture

IMTS

Share this Article

London Graffiti

London is an intriguing city. I have many friends and associates here, and its my second time travelling here since 2018. I see myself living here most definitely. It is a city of multiculturalism with a hint of grungy tendencies. Those are things I like a lot. It is a city of many twists and curves embedded within its map. I will talk about city of London and how its identity shapes the makerscene with its city.

Something to know about London is its weather. The typical day in London is filled with gray skies. Personally I love it, but others may not be as accepting of the grim nature that results. Without sunlight, how does one absorb the most sun into their body? Simple – wear black. A lot of people in London rock black like no other city I have seen. It shows the edginess and character of the location. Londoners, in general, are quite friendly (like most human beings tend to be), but they tend to be very quiet individuals until you start a conversation with them. This reserved and all black nature of the environment makes for a city of introverts. For anyone like myself who writes, it is great.

Makers

Edginess is something that can be seen throughout the city with the large proliferation of graffiti in various neighborhoods. I’m from Chicago and have family in New York, but the graffiti here is different then the norm I am used to. I see this as a direct reflection on the nature of people here. Graffiti and public art is typically an act of rebellion. The quite introverts of London have a lot on their minds. Rebellion is a key ingredient for a maker personality. This ties directly into how the city operates as a place for makers.

So how does this translate into the maker scene? From what I understand in researching London and being around different spaces, I noticed that the work they do in their spaces is intense. I mean this in the best way possible. Londoners are very cerebral. The ideas that can come from this city are extremely creative. I myself enjoy venturing out to London so the twists and turns of the city can make me reorient my creativity. I met a man casually in coffee shop the other day with cool pants, and I said “cool pants”. He said thanks and then proceeded to explain he made the pants as well as the rings he was wearing at a Maker Space. I wasn’t shocked but it definitely made me laugh.

Makerspace philosophy is rooted in the idea of making, tinkering, playing, using art, and engineering products based on your interests. As I have been around the city and done research on the institutions, it has a direct effect on the type of makers within this city. It is also reflected with some of the established larger companies from London, as well as newer startups and organizations that have been byproducts of the Maker Movement. This can include a company such as Open Bionics, Lab Genius, and many more. The companies and products provided by London and UK in general are extremely creative.
A maker has to have a rebellious streak to be disruptive in my opinion. You have to have an edge to you to go out on a limb and start making what you fancy. Lots of people look at you weird when you tell them you want to do wild things like 3D print rings, or create parts for a prosthetic limb because you are bored. The grunge/rock and roll undertones of the London culture definitely influence how people make things in this city and in the UK overall.

The MakerSpaces I will be checking out in London will be the following:

  1. South London MakerSpace
  2. Barclays Eagle Lab
  3. Makerversity
  4. Institute of Making
  5. Machines Room
  6. London Hackerspace
  7. The Inventions Room
  8. Hackoustic
  9. Building BloQs
  10. Cre-8
  11. Richmond Makerlabs

Ideally after these visits, I’ll confirm these initial thoughts on London, or I’ll discover more than I intended.

Join the discussion of this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com.

Share this Article


Recent News

Liquid Metal 3D Printing Sector Emerges with Fluent Metal’s $5.5M Investment

3DPOD Episode 191: Amy Alexander, 3D Printing at the Mayo Clinic



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

3DPOD Episode 190: Generative Design for 3D Printing with Novineer CEO Ali Tamijani

Ali Tamijani, a professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, has an extensive background in composites, tool pathing, and the development of functional 3D printed parts,...

Featured

3DPOD Episode 189: AMUG President Shannon VanDeren

Shannon VanDeren is a consultant in the 3D printing industry, focusing on implementation and integration for her company, Layered Manufacturing and Consulting. For nearly ten years, she has been involved...

3DPOD Episode 188: Clare Difazio of E3D – Growing the Industry, and Growing With the Industry

Clare DiFazio’s journey into the 3D printing industry was serendipitous, yet her involvement at critical moments has significantly influenced the sector. Her position as Head of Marketing & Product Strategy...

Featured

Printing Money Episode 15: 3D Printing Markets & Deals, with AM Research and AMPOWER

Printing Money returns with Episode 15! This month, NewCap Partners‘ Danny Piper is joined by Scott Dunham, Executive Vice President of Research at Additive Manufacturing (AM) Research, and Matthias Schmidt-Lehr,...