Tuesday, September 13, 2011
TechShop's Mark Hatch Is Building A Place Where You Can Build Your Dreams
Fast Company: You don't need to look far to see that a growing community of makers--people who like to work on art- and science-based DIY projects--is blossoming in the U.S. Not all of these makers own the pricey tools necessary to work on their projects, of course. That's where TechShop, a San Francisco-based chain of DIY workshop spaces that offers tools for artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between, comes in.
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4 comments:
This looks like a really awesome business to open up. There are so many people that enjoy building and creating things themselves but don't have the tools or facility to do it in. I know that there have been many times that I would like to build something over the summer or breaks when I'm not at school, but don't have the ability to with the limited tools I have.
I think having a place like this within distance is really going to encourage people to think about doing things themselves, which is something that I don't think happens enough.
The article mentions a welding class... I wonder what other classes are offered, and if there are any criteria that have to be met before being able to use the facility (safety class, certain age, etc.).
The article also states that there is a monthly membership of $100. I'm not sure if that is the only plan or if there are others you could choose from, but I think more people would use it if you were able to have an option of paying by the day instead of the month. If there is only a small project you are working on or something that is only going to take a day or two, it would be silly to pay $100 for the whole month.
I'm a big fan of the Tech Shop idea and the overall HackerSpace movement. I feel that working in a shop is an empowering experience and one that more people should have access too. I had the opportunity last year in New York to hear a panel of hackerspace founders talking about the concept and how they are hoping to improve public accessibility. Some of them have similar policies as Tech Shop, but others have a more open policy. One other one in San Francisco has an open door policy, where they don't charge any fees or have any concept of membership. They are more focused on electronics, which I find less exciting, but does mean it is more accessible to younger people and more immediately gratifying. I certainly hope the trend continues and fabrication becomes a bigger part of the social landscape.
Like Tiffany and Ethan have noted, I am a huge fan of the TechShop idea. Giving the public access to tools in which they can put their creative energy into a product is an incredible tool and powerful step. I think there is great promise in the products that come from this project.
What does concern me is the training that those using that specialized equipment will need. I don't think we can have Random Joe or Redneck Billy spot-welding or cutting with a laser. Even if they have protective gear on, can you trust that they will understand the potential consequences of handling these tools or materials.
It is interesting to be taking OSHA while reading this article. Something that is constantly stressed is the training of the operator. If you have a constant fluctuating pool of users, how will TechShop regulate their training to not only have it be detailed, but personalized for that user?
I think these spaces that are meant to foster new artists, creatives and makers are really great. This is a huge step in allowing great new things to be created. It can be really frustrating when you have a great idea, but don't have the means and resources to make it happen. I agree that $100 dollars a month can seem a little ridiculous at first, but in the scheme of things, it is actually a nominal price to pay for use of these resources. I hope to see more companies like this whose purpose is to foster creativity and innovation.
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