How would you like to have an exact plastic miniature replica figurine of yourself? Ten-, 15- or 20-centimeters (3.9-, 5.9- or 7.9-inches) tall? I said tall... not long!
Check out the photo above! Awesome, isn't it? That's not a real person - it is indeed a miniature plastic replica!
Situated in Tokyo, Japan is a tiny little studio offering customers a chance to create a miniature plastic likeness of themselves for as little as US/Cdn $255 (~¥21,000/£160) for the small 10-centimeter version all the way up to US/Cdn $510 (~¥42,000/£320) for the large 20-centimeter version. The figures weigh 20-, 50- and 200-grams, respectively.
Yeah, it's a lot money, but it is pretty damn cool!
The brainchild of Party, a creative group of Japanese fellows based in Tokyo and New York (founded by the five creative directors, [surname first] Ito Naoki, Harano Morihiro, Shimizu Qanta (I doubt that spelling), Nakamura Hiroki and Kawamura Masashi) who wanted to make the classic photo studio into a place where Japanese families could 'shape' their memories.
"Our idea is to attempt to capture you and your family's portraits in 3D," says Ito.
Brilliant.
Using the company Omote3D - a pop-up store that will only be in business for two months... and I must state up front that they are completely booked as of this time, with no reservations being booked - Party says the figurines are created via a 3D scanner and a 3D printer.
Regardless... lets look at how it is being created!
- You visit the store, where you, the customer are photographed via a 3D scanner that 'photographs' your entire body in whatever pose you choose... but be warned... it takes 15 minutes of no-move posing - or at least no moving when they are scanning a particular part of you!
- On a computer, hair color, texture of the clothes, body details are modified or fixed up - in great detail. The scanner cannot yet detect fluffy fabrics, small detailed patterns or shiny materials, nor can it read small accessories such as earrings, glasses or bags.
- A 3D color printer then forms the figure from a plastic block, creating a realistic miniature figurine.
It seems pretty basic... and I must admit that this was what I was able to glean from the Omote3D website. However, I have actually seen a 3D printer in action - a couple of years ago, in fact.
I watched a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottle maker utilize a machine to create a 3D plastic bottle that the customer could see and touch and examine to ensure they were happy with the exact shape of bottle they actually wanted manufactured... it's actually easier to see a product in your hands than to see one on a flat screen.
This bottle maker used a state-of-the-art CAD (computer-aided design) system that can quickly create a three-dimensional sample of a customer’s bottle—providing a finished prototype in just a few hours afterwards.
The model BST 1200es three-dimensional prototype system—manufactured by Dimension, Inc. of Eden Prairie, Minn.—creates an actual physical representation of the CAD-generated bottles made from ultra-thin plastic wiring, which is built up layer by layer.
Okay... back to the figurines. I would bet the miniatures are based on very similar technology and materials.
Again... this thing is completely booked, and they are NOT taking any more reservations.
Yet.
This is such a popular concept that if these guys are smart - and they are - they will do it again. And again.
Hell, I want one. Not of me, of course, but maybe they can cut a deal with some sexy models and have those made into figures we can buy. While it appears as though these could be PERFECT likenesses for wedding cake toppers (I like the idea that I can lick the bride), they look like the perfect conversation piece.
"What's that in your pocket, An-do-ryu san? Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me?"
"I am happy to see you and so is little An-do-ryu san. Would you like to see him?"
"Tee-hee."
"I assume that is Japanese for 'Yes'. Now excuse me while I whip this out. ... too-doo, I mean ta-daaah!"
"Eeeeeeeeee! Kawaiiiiiiiiiiiii (squeal)!"
If you weren't already in like flint, having your own 3D plastic sex toy will get you some. I'm thinking outside of the box... or is that inside of the box? Whatever. You can not deny that this is very cool.
Anyhow... since it is sold out, you can still go and check out the exhibition of miniatures created!
Running from November 24, 2012 through to January 14, 2013 - closed on January 1 and 2 - the exhibition is held at GYRE / 3rd Floor EYE OF GYRE in Omotesando between 11AM to 8PM. The Omote3D website is HERE in case I read it incorrectly - plus there are some cool photos of some figurines they have manufactured.
Oh... and since I'm on the topic, New York has its own version of this, but at this time the MakerBot company is only offering monochrome busts of people - and certainly not as detailed as the Japanese version, as suggested by the price of US/Cdn $25 for a small head.
And... yes! I was right about the technology being very similar to the bottle maker I saw two years ago in Toronto back in December of 2010.
Cheers - and say hello to my little friend!
Andrew (really likes figurines) Joseph
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