Minkeshi brings children’s ideas to life using 3D printing
The toy figure project was started in Kobe, Japan, by a product designer father and his two sons
Minkeshi is the toy design and creation project of a product designer father, and his two children, based in Kobe, Japan. While the was staying at home, he taught himself how to make toy figures using 3D printing. The father works as a writer, and also creates these original figures based on his children’s unique sketches.
The figures are designed by his two children, aged 8 and 10, brought to digital-life by the father, using 3D designing software, and then brought to physical-life using the Stratasys J55 Prime, full-color 3D printer.
According to the Minkeshi website – the figures arrive printed in a single color resin. Each figure is approximately 45mm tall and is priced between ¥1,200 and ¥2,000 (excluding shipping).
By drawing on his writing skills, the father creates character descriptions for each of his children’s 3D printed characters. The character description for the Takoyaki bun character, pictured above, is:
“Even if you get killed, you can create a new Takoyaki bun by reincarnation from the plate bag on his back. Even if he gets caught, in the worst case, the octopus (body) in his head can escape and avoid it. Skills include the Aonori Tornado, Sauce head butt, and Saw ink blinding.”
“My eldest son suddenly added highlights and shadows to increase his expressiveness. I got the design my son wanted! ! The type that concurrently serves as Anpanman who makes his own face with a takoyaki machine on his back and Uncle Jam after his death. In addition, the main body is actually a small octopus inside, which is a familiar setting lol,” commented the father below the character description.
Once someone places an order through the Minkeshi online store, the figure is sent to Stratasys for printing, which takes approximately 9 days to complete from the day of the order – minimizing the necessary capital outlay thanks to a print-on-demand business model, and a digital inventory of designs that mitigates the need for storage space.
In other bespoke toy printing news, check out the Hasbro Selfie Series by Formlabs, which allows you to scan your face with an app, and have your very own action figure printed and delivered to you.
