Melding Storytelling, 3D Printing, and Toymaking: Blokko Plans Soft Launch with New Stories & Materials

We’ve been keeping an eye on Blokko with interest since late last year when they came on the scene with their creative and refreshingly alternative storytelling concept that integrates 3D printing.

The Blokko team works on several very positive levels. One, they want to encourage storytelling and all the artistry that surrounds it. Two, they encourage the illustration of the stories with 3D printed toys that accompany each tale. Three — and very importantly — they want to democratize the toy marketplace for all innovators, toymakers, artists, and craftsman, so that it is as simple as possible for someone who wants to make toys to break into the business – and 3D printing presents a perfect avenue for that.

As the concept and service Blokko plans to offer has been developing, we’ve been following their evolution. They are now preparing for a soft launch of their official site from their beta site and want everyone to be aware of their progress as they’ve added new material and characters like the amazing LEO the Maker Prince, The Adventurers, Evacomics, and some other great examples to check out.

“We help storytellers engage their audience and bring their characters to life. For consumers we are creating an immersive play experience with great stories for role playing and toys that can be built immediately,” Blokko’s Rahul Thayyalamkandy told 3DPB.com.

With the motto “I draw, he prints, and together we make,” Carla from LEO the Maker Prince is certainly helping to promote the integration of storytelling, 3D printing, and play — not to mention the exposure to new technology and science, as well as the integration of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) curriculum.

“What Carla has done with ‘LEO the Maker Prince’ is the experience we are trying to create where an audience can read a story and build characters in that story immediately using 3D printing technology,” said Rahul.

The Blokko concept is one that should work for everybody all around. What a fun idea to be reading to your kids while they play with the corresponding 3D toys. It’s also a fantastic gift idea to share — especially if you want to give something fun and innovative that is a definite conversation piece, stories or not.

With their soft launch starting this week, Blokko is currently able to let storytellers publish their tales, and 3D designers can showcase their toys. Some functions aren’t available yet, like:

• Collaboration functions between storytellers and 3D designers
• Shopping cart for selling toys
• Printer software with specific proprietary file system to protect 3D files

Would this be a concept you would be interested in participating in to democratize toymaking through 3D printing? Share your thoughts and plans with us in the Blokko forum thread over at 3DBP.com.