Hasbro Adds 3D Printed Transformers to Shapeway's SuperFanArt Category
Meghan Young — December 5, 2014 — Life-Stages
The success of customized My Little Pony toys has opened the door for similar creations such as 3D printed Transformers. By expanding their options for what can be tweaked by the customer, Hasbro opens the doors for a whole new type of interaction between people and their toys. In the not so distant future, Customers will be able to create characters that they can truly relate to.
In regards to the 3D printed Transformers, fans of the franchise will be able to flex their creativity and artistic skills by becoming a part of the SuperFanArt community. Created in collaboration with Shapeways, this community also helps to promote and sell custom designs to other fans. The 3D printed Transformers is a great departure from the more female-skewed My Little Pony series.
In regards to the 3D printed Transformers, fans of the franchise will be able to flex their creativity and artistic skills by becoming a part of the SuperFanArt community. Created in collaboration with Shapeways, this community also helps to promote and sell custom designs to other fans. The 3D printed Transformers is a great departure from the more female-skewed My Little Pony series.
Trend Themes
1. 3D Printed Customized Toys - The success of customized My Little Pony toys has paved the way for other franchises like Transformers to allow customers to create characters that they can truly relate to, presenting opportunities for new personalized toy offerings that cater to all ages and interests.
2. Superfanart Communities - Partnerships between toy manufacturers and online marketplaces provide consumers greater autonomy in 3D printed toy creations, allowing fans to monetize their fandom and express their creativity in SuperFanArt Communities.
3. Gender-neutral Toy Options - The introduction of gender-neutral 3D printed toy options, such as Transformers, presents opportunities for toy companies to place a greater emphasis on individual creativity and personalization, away from traditional gender norms in the toy industry.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Manufacturers can harness cutting-edge technology like 3D printing to provide greater autonomy for the customer in the creative process and offer a more personalized product, making for a more engaging and interactive customer experience.
2. Online Marketplaces - Collaborations with companies like Shapeways can bring new and innovative toy-making technologies to consumers and enable fan communities centered around 3D printed toys to connect, creating innovative new revenue streams and distribution channels for 3D printed toys.
3. Fandom Merchandise - As customers begin to desire more creative options in toys, businesses can capitalize on the trend by offering a greater range of items in SuperFanArt communities that will cater to all ages and interests, opening opportunities for new innovative product lines and revenue growth.
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