“Speed Dating” For Makers

MakerDating
Okay, it’s not exactly dating, but it owes a lot to the awkward, musical chairs-like personal interviews that lonely hearts participate in. Forty makers — 20 designers and 20 manufacturers — gathered in a converted factory in Glasgow, Scotland, last week for an evening of speed pitching.

“You’ve all done a 360 of the room now, so hopefully you’ve met everyone,” said event organizer Fi Scott, addressing the room. “I’ve seen quite a lot of smiles, which I hope is a good sign.”

Members of the Glasgow maker community were each given three minutes per round to talk about themselves, punctuated by a handheld, bicycle-style horn.

The “dating” pool, according to event organizers, included metal workers, laser cutters, sackmakers, shellac suppliers, framers, mills, seamstresses, letterpress, water jet cutters, risograph printers, electronics, mould makers, and slipcasters. Participants were encouraged to bond over their experience in the maker community.

The event was hosted by Scott’s startup, Make Works, which connects designers with makers and manufacturers.

Maker Speed Dater from Make Works on Vimeo.


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Jon Christian is the co-editor of the Maker Pro Newsletter, which covers the intersection between makers and business. He's also written for the Boston Globe, WIRED and The Atlantic.

View more articles by Jon Christian

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