CGTrader, The fastest growing community and marketplace for 3D graphics and printing designs, today announced the 3D Printed Kids' Toys Challenge to test the popularity of the 3D printable toys and games theme among its designers. As 3D printing technology offers a rich but yet mostly-untested potential to bring interactive play experience for children and adults alike, CGTrader.com hopes the experiment will appeal to 3D designers on a lookout for interesting projects and emerging niche markets within the 3D printing industry.
Due to high entry barriers and large initial investments, the toy industry has always been a tough market to conquer, yet with the accessibility, lowered costs and creative potential of the 3D printing technology a new wave of highly customizable and video game-inspired toys threatens to take a considerable chunk of the toys market. According to McKinsey, 3D printing could have significant economic implications of up to $550 billion a year by 2025, $100-$300 billion of which will be direct consumer products such as toys.
"3D printing technology is developing at an explosive rate and many industries, including the toy industry, will feel the ripples of the impact it makes on the manufacturing process and product design. We believe that 3D printing can help democratize the toy sector and give every child a unique educational experience. The design competition is intended to make the research and discovery process more exciting for those who hold the creative power in their hands", said Marius Kalytis, the founder and CEO of CGTrader.com.
The company encourages 3D designers to submit designs of puzzles, action figures, board and desk games, playsets, educational toys, etc. Successful entries will be judged on the three main criteria - overall quality, innovation and description & instructions for use. Contestants will also be able to get bonus points for high-quality images of 3D-printed designs. Prizes for the Best Model and Best Portfolio categories include two full color printed models from The Object Shop, Ninjaflex filaments from FennerdriveS, 3 month subscriptions from Digital Tutors and CGTrader credits.