An article about the opening of FabCafe Taipei (Taiwan) was recently published on KAI-YOU.net.
It has started in Taipei’s creative development special ward, “Huashan 1914 Creative Park.”
FabCafe’s Taiwan shop opened its pop-up store (provisional store) in Taipei’s “Huashan 1914 Creative Park.” The local members and creators are currently starting their experiments to create a Taiwan-like FabCafe, in order to officially next September.
FabCafe was mentioned in the May 2013 issue of Sukaimark Airlines‘ in-flight magazine, Skymark.
Lately, we have had the opportunity to receive more and more messages from various people who want to go to FabCafe, see the latest FAB tools, and find out what they can do with them, from ordinary people, of course, to schools and businesses too.
You can reserve the laser cutter, or participate in a workshop, but it seems like many people hesitate a little on the first time. Therefore, we have started a tour where people can learn about and experience FabCafe and FAB trends in a fun and delicious way. In the tour, we will of course introduce FabCafe, and we will also introduce the latest FAB tools like the laser cutter, and the 3D printer and 3D scanner set up in CUBE on the second floor. During the tour, you can also enjoy FabCafe’s drinks and sweets.
The first visitors to take the FabCafe tour were freshmen from the Renaissance Design Academy in Shizuoka. As a first step into the creative world, they experienced the new FAB style of fabrication, and tour made them want to try making something themselves.
The participants were 12 students and their teacher, for total of 13. They were just starting out, and the students had all just met each other, so they seemed a little shy.
That day, they had a workshop where they made their own original coasters using the laser cutter, and received an introduction to the latest equipment like 3D printers, as well as an introduction to some examples of architectural design using FAB from Fab Engineer Kaneoka.
Although they are students at a design school, since they had just entered the school, they have yet to learn about specialist tools. For that reason, we had them use the Ideas iPad app we use at FabCafe to create designs. These students really do want to be designers after all. It’s fun how many different designs can be born out of just a coaster.
Soon, they started cutting out their designs with the laser. Everyone went “Oh!” when the laser started moving, and got caught up in taking pictures and video.
They seem really happy to hold the finished coasters in their hands.
While it was working, we did a demonstration of the CUBE 3D printer released by 3DS. They were entranced by the shape emerging little by little.
Continuing on, they observed the 3D Studio CUBE on the second floor. There we introduced the latest 3D machines. Everyone was surprised by the full body 3D scanner and 3D printer. Having these kinds of machines where you’re a student really expands your dreams.
We returned to the café on the first floor, and had Fab Engineer Kaneoka introduce the latest architectural design techniques using the Rhinoceros CAD software with the Grasshopper plugin. The topic was a bit difficult, but the never before seen design method creating things on the screen seemed very stimulating for the students.
On that day, we gave everyone handmade FabCafe macaroons and drinks, much to their delight. According to a message we received from the teacher later, there were students who had decided on their future goals based on the experience they had with FAB on the FabCafe tour, and their experiences with fabrication they had together strengthened the unity of the class, so we couldn’t be happier. If you would like to experience the Enjoy FabCafe Tour, please contact us through this form.
>>>Contact Form
<Contents of the tour experienced by the students from Renaissance Design Academy>
1. Intro to FabCafe and explanation of workshop (10 minutes)
2. Mini workshop using laser cutter (40 to 60 minutes)
・ Create original coasters from corkboard (workshop content can be changed on request)
・ Members create a design with iPad, and make the design from cork
3. Observe 3D Studio CUBE on second floor (30 minutes)
4. Return to FabCafe to receive finished coasters
5. Intro to FAB trends and design tools
■ Cost: ¥3,000 per person (cost may change depending on workshop content)
■ Time: 90 to 120 minutes
■ Supervising Staff: 1 person
Please use this form for questions or applications.
>>>Contact Form
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■Special Thanks
Renaissance Design Academy
FabCafe’s Fab Director, Kotaro Ishioka, will make an appearance at the Maker Conference Tokyo 2013 that will be held at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation on June 15th. The topic of discussion will be, “Creating and maintaining spaces and communities for makers.”
“He plugged an acorn-sized white plastic accessory into the earphone jack of his iPhone and asked me to get out my credit card – ” (from WIRED.jp, “Silicon Valley has Spoken, Jack Dorsey is the Next Steve Jobs”)
We’ve been waiting for this day… At last!
FabCafe will introduce the “Square” card payment service to customers on May 24 (Saturday).
*Beep* (payment by iPad!)
This is a card reader
“Square” is service which allows you to plug a small hardware into your smart phone or tablet device (just straight into the earphone jack!!), and after downloading and registering the app, to make easy card-based payments. There’s no need for an expensive apparatus or complicated instructions – for small businesses like us it couldn’t be easier. Best of all, with this smart processing and earphone jack design… we’re falling uber in love with it!! (What? Isn’t that the case…?)
*Beep* (Yepp, simple)
Launched in 2009, Square has been introduced to over four million business and shop owners in North America. The stylish design is so cool that we’ve been wanting to introduce the device to FabCafe for a long time. (So why didn’t we just buy one earlier? Haha)
It’s because Square’s service in Japan doesn’t start until May 23, 2013 – so we’re going to bring it in the very next day! (We’re testing it out to start, so there may or may not be some hodgepodge at first. We plan to start using it as soon as we get the receipt printer on the 24th!)
For those of you interested, please drop by FabCafe’s register and give it a try. It’s small, it’s casual, it’s adorable, and it’s sure to surprise you.
“Ah, I hadn’t thought of that. How cool!”
It would be awesome if FabCafe, like Square, became a place for new product innovation and service ideas….. that’s where our thinking’s at for today.
★For more information on Square, check out the official website:
>> Square https://squareup.com/jp
FabCafe Fab Director Kotaro Iwaoka will be on display as an artist in the “Materializing Exhibition” held at the Chinretsukan Gallery of the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts in June 2013.
[ Knitting Paper Curtain / Ami-Gami2（2011） Kotaro Iwaoka ]
The Materialization Exhibition is a project gathering artists and architects who make active use of cutting edge digital and modelling technologies. Raising the theme, “not just information, and not just materials – rather a display of the union of the two,” the exhibition not only features completed works, but also shines light on the planning process and crafting techniques. Iwaoka additionally plans to present on new manufacturing algorithms of the age of digitally accelerated fabrication.
Architect Ryuji Nakamura, lacquer artist Kenji Toki (gathering attention for joining digital technology with plastic modelling), and Noiz Architects’ Yusuke Ohno will be in attendance alongside 20 other brilliant creators. Please drop by and take a look.
*Exhibition information:
Materializing Exhibition
Where: Chinretsukan Gallery of the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts
When: 06/08/2013 – 06/23
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Mondays
>>Official exhibition site http://materializing.org/
FabCafe Fab Director Kotaro Iwaoka
After graduating from Chiba University, Iwaoka began work in an architecture and design office and took charge of planning private residences and apartment complexes. He later continued onto graduate studies at Keio University to conduct research on digital manufacturing and become the founding member of FabLab Japan. In 2011, he conceived the idea of a “FabCafe” that combines a creative work environment with a cafe, and joined up with Loftwork, a global open platform for creative talents. He now oversees the service that turns creative ideas into a reality at FabCafe, as well as its planning. Iwaoka is also currently a part-time lecturer at the Fine Arts Center at the Tokyo University of the Arts.
>> Detailed profile
>> Recently published article, “’Fab”Make’ – the Digitally Accelerated Manufacturing Movement” (CNET Japan)
[ Open (Re)source Furniture（2009年） Hiroya Tanaka＋Kotaro Iwaoka＋Tomoki Hiramoto ]
There is no much time left until Valentine’s Day!
This is a must read for those of you who are at a loss about what to give as a present for this year’s Valentine’s Day!
↑FabGirl Kotona; she made the macaroons and ate them herself.
Hi!
This is FabGirl Kotona.
Gratefully, FabCafe’s project for Valentine’s Day: “Macaroon Fab” is enjoying a great popularity!
A lot of customers came to try and make macaroons with their messages.
I don’t even know how many times I almost choked up with emotion while helping the customers with their Macaroon Fab…
There was a customer fabbing the picture of a handsome artist (!) on a macaroon for her mother’s birthday. Another customer, a middle school student, fabbed her macaroon with her father’s portrait and the message “I love you daddy” (apparently her father thought it would be a waste to eat it and could not bring himself to do so.) There was also a customer planning to give his macaroon to his 80 year old aunt as a reverse Valentine’s present. Isn’t it just lovely?
Of course, there were also many customers including a love message and planning to give the macaroons as a present to the “man closest to their heart.”
↑From little girls to foreigners!
Just looking at all this messages and illustrations that have been drawn while thinking of a special someone makes my heart warm.
It feels like they are sharing with me their thrill and emotions.
Also, I recommend the macaroons made carefully one by one by FabCafe’s special pastry Chef Koseki – they are full of cream but not too sweet, and really delicious!
You can choose the flavor from the following: “vanilla”, “lemon”, “raspberry”, “matcha (green tea)” and I assure you: all of them are really tasty!
They may look this cute, but they are really easy to make!
◆You can make the design with Illustrator and bring it with you.
◆You can draw the message and illustration as you like with our store’s iPad.
◆And for those who do not feel confident designing it themselves, we have also available creator designed macaroons.
My recommendation is this softly designed polar bear! It’s so refreshing.
↑Problem is, it’s so cute you can’t eat it.
As for the wrapping, we have prepared a collaboration wrapping by WRAPPLE×FabCafe, adding to our regular one.
We also have wrapping paper with patterns such as colorful sweets or leopard print, and wrapping with small birds on it.
They are ideal for those who want to make a difference from others!
↑It’s a special Valentine’s, so it’s understandable we would want to be particular about the wrapping too, right?
On February 12th, a Valentine’s Wrapping Workshop will be held at the WRAPPLE store in Shibuya PARCO part 1, so please join us if you are interested.
http://tokyo.fabcafe.com/event/4931#.URN6JkpvyF4
The prices are
1500 yen for a BOX set (4 macaroons, including the laser charge and the macaroon BOX)
600 yen for the special wrapping by WRAPPLE×FabCafe
Macaroon Fab will be held until February 14th.
“For your loved one”
“For someone you are grateful to”
“As a small gift”
They are so easy, and at the same time unique in the world. How about making your own original macaroons?
We are waiting for you at FabCafe.
Details for FabCafe Valentine’s can be found here.
http://tokyo.fabcafe.com/event/4662#.URN6E0pvyF6
Nice to meet you! I am Miyazaki, project staff of Loftwork.
Today I would like to share my report on the “Go go!! Goushi (paper layering) night!” event that I took part in.
▲The one looking at the promptly emptied beer bottle, while everybody else focuses on Ms. Noguchi, is me…
Do you know what on earth paper layering is? To find out, please have a look first at the picture below.
You will probably notice that papers of different colors and various textures are layered in one leaflet.
▲These layers are the main characteristic of the paper layering processing!
Paper layering is a process of sticking paper together, like in a mille-feuille, to create layers.
It is a process to creates a new surface – you can make it thicker and stronger, and you can create effects such as showing the “layers” by sticking different kind of paper.
Leaflets such as the ones in this picture are typically made for business purposes using a machine, but this event consisted in making the paper layering by handwork!
▲We started out with a lecture by the teacher: Ms. Noguchi. Let’s learn about paper layering!
During the explanation about the “adhesive agents”, which are the most important point when making paper layering by hand, I was surprised to find out that there are many more types of glue than I had expected!
We could have even went on to spend a few hours just talking about adhesive agents… the fact that there are some naturally derived using ingredients such as lacquer or animal glue (nikawa), that some act by temperature difference or chemical reactions, etc… and also the fact that not all adhesive agents fit all kinds of paper; some are a better match than others.
For this event we used “nikawa”, a type of glue that is used by dissolving it with hot water (and has animal skin and bones among its ingredients!) and “paper cement” a type of glue specialized for sticking paper together.
引き続き野口さんより、張り合わせかたのポイントなどをお伺いした後いよいよ合紙作り開始！
まずは紙選びから。カラフルな紙はもちろん、厚紙やトレーシングペーパーなど、色も厚みも質感も様々な紙から自分の好きな紙をチョイス。紙以外にも薄い木のシートがありました。
▲We were allowed to choose as many types of paper as we wanted… this may actually be paradise for paper fans!
▲Here we can see a customer using a type of glue that has to be put on both papers that are to be stuck together.
▲We just found someone doing the layering after Fab-ing it first!
▲A paper layered polar bear…!? It’s too cute!
Now all that is left is to keep sticking the papers together in silence! It is so true that when we concentrate we start talking less and less… (lol)
But if you are thinking something like “Isn’t this all just about pasting paper together?”… well don’t! There were a lot of layered paper works being created out of many and varied different ideas!
A rather particular person kept simply pasting paper together until he reached a thickness of 2cm!
His next move was to cut, cut, and keep cutting this bundle of paper that he had worked so hard on sticking together.
According to him: “Well… I cut it as many times as layers of paper were there!” (lol)
As a result, the pieces turned into a kind of sections that looked like a beautiful geological stratum…!
Another person, the type to create upon new ideas, made these paper layered pencils! He put a pencil lead he had brought with him in the central part of the papers he glued together, and then wrapped the layered paper round and round to make his original pencils.
▲They can actually write!
Last but not least, the main attraction of FabCafe! There were also many creations made by using the laser cutter.
▲By scraping out the surface of this wooden sheet with the laser cutter… the color of the paper emerges from the inside! Beautiful!
Besides these, many other pieces of layered paper work like cute decoration objects, original covers for notebooks or name cards were successively polished into lovely creations!
By the way, I glued fluorescent paper and tracing paper together in a layered paper work to be used as parts for accessories.
Many of the people who joined the event worked in fields not necessarily related to paper, such as interior design, architecture, advertising, Web, apparel, etc…
This event, in which these adults became absorbed with cutting and sticking paper together, turned out to be quite a geeky night! I became entirely captivated by the making of layered paper work too.
For those of you who did not join the event but are reading the blog, how about taking the challenge and creating your own original layered paper piece?
Also, did you know that, besides the material that is already available at FabCafe, you can bring in your own materials and items and enjoy Fab-ing at our store?
Fab-ing with layered paper created by yourself is most certainly a chance to make a difference from other fellow Fab-ers!
What kind of materials will we meet at next Material Hackathon? I just can’t wait for it!
*Please feel free to ask FabCafe staff about bringing in your own materials and items.
This unique panorama book, called “360 degree panorama book” is created by a Japanese architecture Yusuke Oono. In 2012, he won the fist prize at “You Fab 2012″ which is the world design contest of laser cutting and was held by FabCafe. This contest led him to appear on worldwide media and many people are attracted by his beautiful and delicate art work.
360 Degree Panorama Book Christmas Version by Yusuke Oono
I’m sure that many people are curious about how to create such a unique and delicate panorama book. Today I’m gonna show you how he makes this 360 degree panorama book christmas version.
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