Inspired by the hackers, crafters, artisans, and tinkerers who
embody this “maker mindset,” we set out to reverse engineer
the future forces behind this transformation. Many of us were
already immersed in the DIY culture, hacking code, soldering
circuits, creating media, and even tending farms. So to learn
more, we reached out to our own communities, brought
together innovators at an expert workshop, scoured blogs
and magazines, and attended numerous informal gatherings
where makers talk shop. It turns out that “do it yourself”
may be a misnomer for this decidedly social movement; “do
it ourselves” is a more apt phrase. Individual makers are
amplified by social technologies that connect ideas, designs,
techniques, and, of course, people, to revolutionize the
process of innovation and production.
There is much to be learned from the maker mindset of
collaboration, creativity, and open access. Yet the maker culture
will not replace traditional industry. In the future, traditional
manufacturers and maverick makers will be closely linked—
sometimes cooperating, sometimes competing, but frequently
blurring the boundaries that separate them. Success will occur
when the two cultures are woven together in new and interesting
ways. We hope that our map will help guide you in those
experiments as you engage with the Future of Making.
Read the Report: Institute for The Future
Posted by: Andreea Hirica
Posted on: Contagious Ideas
