makerspaces: practices and recommendations

04/20/23

MAKERSPACES: PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Eric Joseph Van Holm04/20/23

The Potential of Makerspaces

Built by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey at TechShop, Menlo Park

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Context and Contribution

Catalog characteristics of Makerspaces Provide recommendations for new

establishments

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What is a Makerspace

Physical locations Diverse participants

Artists, engineers, blue-collar, mothers…

Broad set of tools and capabilities Culture of openness Not an incubator

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Why Makerspaces Matter

Lower the costs of innovation

Utilize the latent creative potential of communities

Provide opportunity for development of new products

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Data Collection6

Hackerspace.org513

Hackerspace.org513

Makerspace.com

208

Makerspace.com

208

FabLabs.io

52

FabLabs.io

52

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Hackerspace425

85

Makerspace119

Fab Lab46

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3 1

Unique Sample = 5908

Final Sample = 2539

Data Collected

Reviewed Websites for: Legal status Membership terms and fees Hours Location and Size Tools Classes offered

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Profile - Maker Works

Private Makerspace in Ann Arbor, Michigan

$90 for single adult Professional staff on hand Monday – Thursday 1pm – 9pm

Friday 9am – 6pmSaturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm

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Profile – Maker Works12

Profile – Mothership Hacker Moms Nonprofit Makerspace Berkeley, California $80 Monthly fee for 24 hour access

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Profile – Mothership Hacker Moms Access to industrial tools at Ace Monster

Toys (Oakland, California) Offers childcare and education programs

for children of members Created “Failure Club” to build mutual

support members to “invent products, change careers, start businesses, make money and learn new fields”

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Legal status15

N = 253

Differences

Private spaces are (on average): Larger in terms of space and memberships

More likely to have professional staff More likely to offer prototyping services

More expensive for memberships Extreme example: TechShop

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Membership fees

Median monthly fee $50 9 free; highest fee $600

N = 203

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Hours

N = 173

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Size and Location

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Size and Location

Relationship to small businesses “The Lawrence (Kansas) Creates

Makerspace is an economic development organization based on the principle that economic development starts with the individual…”

Decatur (Georgia) Makers “it makes sense to have our local

maker space be one that is intentionally kid and family friendly.”

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Relationship to small businesses 61 of 248 use “business”,

“incubator”, “company” or “co-working” in purpose statement

Dozen co-working studios offering access to industrial tools

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Ways Businesses Use Makerspaces

Prototyping Dodo Case

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Ways Businesses Use Makerspaces Prototyping

Ideation Danny Fukuba

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Ways Businesses Use Makerspaces Prototyping Product Ideation

Skill Learning Mark Roth

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Products – Silly Walks Clock26

Built at 7Hills in Rome, Georgia

Recommendations - Governments Act as a facilitator

Support meetings Offer space Make zoning flexible Create publicity Organize a Maker Faire

Public event that celebrates arts, crafts, science, and making. Like a science fair for adults.

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Recommendations - Community Be patient

Spaces often take two years to establish

List yourself online Reach out to other Makerspaces Be creative finding (and making)

tools

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