Makedo ᱠᱟᱰᱵᱚᱰ ᱵᱮᱱᱟᱣ ᱥᱤᱥᱴᱚᱢ

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Makedo is a simple to use, open-ended system of tools for creative cardboard construction. Makedo enables children to see value in everyday cardboard and to independently repurpose it into imaginative, playful and useful creations, all the while fostering the critical thinking skills of tomorrow’s problem solvers. Makedo comes to life in collaborative, creative environments such as classrooms, maker-spaces, libraries, museums and homes.

Dimensions & Packaging

Makedo kits are available in varying quantities. From individual tools to home kits to classroom kits.

Discover - 126 pieces (320 mm x 240 mm x 45 mm)

Creations made with Makedo can be any size depending on the cardboard supply and capability of the maker/s. From one person holding a small creation in their hand up to hundreds of people collaborating to build a football field sized maze, anything is possible.

Tags

education, play, stem, steam, cardboard, toy, imagination, diy

Production Technology

The Makedo system is manufactured primarily by injection moulding.
SCRUs: PP.
Tools: ABS.
Blades: PA66 or SS#420.

As our primary market is in education, we were highly cognisant of ensuring we maintained our position of affordability for newly introduced parts and kits. Consolidated design and material selection were key to achieving this. In addition, we offer a free library of printable part files which can be 3D printed to enhance, accessorise and hack the making process.

Design Challenge

As an own brand, there is a continual subconscious process of product development. Our ongoing objective is to apply Dieter Rams’ 10 Principles of Good Design. Our primary endeavour with Makedo 3.0 was to consolidate the design language of the Makedo system (four new tools which utilise a single handle design), extend overall capability for older makers 7+ without compromising safety (3+ safe metal blades), and reducing the use of plastics in our packaging (achieved 80/100%, sku dependent).

Research

Research methodology included; documentation and discussion of our own observations and experience using Makedo, customer feedback, extensive prototyping (over 300 3D-printed/laser-cut models), user testing and multiple factory visits to discuss materials and manufacturing process.

Primary insight was a need to extend system capability as older makers were finding the SAFE-SAW too crude for refined projects whilst younger makers were becoming increasingly adept at using Makedo.

Inspiration

Children are endlessly imaginative. Ever eager to make indescribable thingamajigs for play, Paul Justin (PJ) sought to develop an open-ended construction system simple enough to enable his children (and many others) to independently create worlds of their own imagining. PJ's ‘aha moment’ was found in cardboard; a universally available, free and unlimited building block. Combined with the development of intuitive, reusable tools for crafting and connecting cardboard, Makedo was born.

Project Duration

The project started in March 2017 in Melbourne, and was introduced to trade in January 2019.

Operation Flow

The Makedo system is comprised of seven unique elements.
SCRU: connects up to three layers of corrugated cardboard.
SCRU XL: connects up to six layers of corrugated cardboard.
SCRU-DRIVER: connect cardboard as simply as righty tighty, lefty loosey.
SAFE-SAW JNR.: flexible plastic blade to saw cardboard, not fingers.
SAFE-SAW: steel blade with no sharp edges to swiftly saw cardboard.
FOLD-ROLLER: perforate lines to sculpt cardboard like a pro.
MINI-TOOL: for parallel and cooperative making.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Mark Lobo, 2019
Image #4: Illustrator Bill Hope, 2018