There are those of us who know about 3D printing, and those who don’t. We’ve all seen the looks of awe from those transitioning to “those who know”, and we want more people to come over and realize what can be done with this technology. Last week BfB made an attempt to bring 3D printing to more people by introducing the RapChick, a companion to their original RapMan kit. The RapChick was essentially identical, but included pink highlights and other features that attempted to attract a female audience.
We’re happy that BfB is trying to get more folks involved, but a controversy erupted over the validity of this approach. Female commenters didn’t believe the approach would work and were even offended by the method. One reader, Ann Marie Shillito (maker of a pretty amazing haptic design tool) posted a well-written piece on her thoughts on this matter:
Seriously, I do applaud what BfB are doing but to truly democatise 3D printing (as BfB say they are doing), they have to also appeal to all rapidly expanding, underserved audiences. For non technical groups Rapman and RapChick kits are not the way to do this.Development must be on usability and understanding how to include people of all ages who have different learning styles, requirements and preferences who want to engage with this very exciting technology. So thank you, Shapeways, Sculpteo, and I am sure Ponoko – I haven’t experienced their 3D services yet – for making the route to 3D printing so straightforward.
We totally agree with this. The printer is not the issue; it’s the experience.
We’ve been thinking a lot about this and have another idea. But you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see it. Sorry!
I keep wondering if BFB might be engaged in a hoax or a publicity stunt here.
Disregard what the press release does say–notice what's missing? If RapChick had undergone sufficient development to reach "immediate availability" then BFB doubtless would have defined their target demographic. Inevitably they would have consulted at least one individual in their target demographic. In just one day's planning they would have learned something about their target purchasers, a quotable insight that certainly would have made it into the press release. Surely someone would have consulted a spouse at least!
Likewise, the RapChick can not be "ordered online at http://www.bitsforbytes.com" weeks after the press release announced "immediate" availability. If BFB actually intended to sell the RapChick, surely there would be a SKU, specs, or pictures. It's only mentioned in the press release and in links to the press release.
Hence I suspect the product hasn't really been developed for sale, and the press release might merely be tuned to attract curiosity-seekers to the RapMan booth at the 2010 Euromold Exhibition. The release discloses more detail about the booth's location than about the RapChick.
Doubtless the folks at BFB know women do use 3D printers, models already on the market. 3D printer purchases are most influenced by the purchaser's role, budget, and needs…not gender. Granted, gender might influence an individual's choice of "what" type of creating he or she engages in. But when making purchasing decisions, a woman is not going to reject a Solido SD300 for its lack of adorable pink highlights any more than she would choose to buy a Rabbit Laser Cutter for its cuddly name.
I keep wondering if BFB might be engaged in a hoax or a publicity stunt here.
Disregard what the press release does say–notice what's missing? If RapChick had undergone sufficient development to reach "immediate availability" then BFB doubtless would have defined their target demographic. Inevitably they would have consulted at least one individual in their target demographic. In just one day's planning they would have learned something about their target purchasers, a quotable insight that certainly would have made it into the press release. Surely someone would have consulted a spouse at least!
Likewise, the RapChick can not be "ordered online at http://www.bitsforbytes.com" weeks after the press release announced "immediate" availability. If BFB actually intended to sell the RapChick, surely there would be a SKU, specs, or pictures. It's only mentioned in the press release and in links to the press release.
Hence I suspect the product hasn't really been developed for sale, and the press release might merely be tuned to attract curiosity-seekers to the RapMan booth at the 2010 Euromold Exhibition. The release discloses more detail about the booth's location than about the RapChick.
Doubtless the folks at BFB know women do use 3D printers, models already on the market. 3D printer purchases are most influenced by the purchaser's role, budget, and needs…not gender. Granted, gender might influence an individual's choice of "what" type of creating he or she engages in. But when making purchasing decisions, a woman is not going to reject a Solido SD300 for its lack of adorable pink highlights any more than she would choose to buy a Rabbit Laser Cutter for its cuddly name.
I thought this approach was so lazy, and misguided. Slapping pink on something to make it more 'attractive' to women? Wow. It's not offensive, just silly.
I do however encourage the idea of showing women the opportunities this industry offers, as a lot of us wouldn't take the time to notice just how little barriers there are these days to giving this stuff a go.
I thought this approach was so lazy, and misguided. Slapping pink on something to make it more 'attractive' to women? Wow. It's not offensive, just silly.
I do however encourage the idea of showing women the opportunities this industry offers, as a lot of us wouldn't take the time to notice just how little barriers there are these days to giving this stuff a go.