Making a creative space

Imagine a space where you can develop your creativity, play with 3D printers and laser cutters to make something that you can take home, share or sell.

Salt Rock resident Steve Gray imagined this space and turned it into a reality, when he joined what some are calling a new industrial revolution, “the makers”.

Gray knew he wanted to work in a creative field from the beginning and that the normal life cycle of school, university, work, retirement was not for him.

“Art was my strongest subject at school and when the time came to choose what to do after school, the choices available all seemed so bland,” said Gray.

His friend suggested industrial design, but Gray’s engineering dad would not have it, because “there is no money in art” and so it became mechanical engineering instead.

“I just wanted to surf, but I followed my dad’s advice and studied mechanical engineering,” he said, wearing a Ballito Pro cap.

He passed his exams, but he was not passionate about the engineering industry.

The business world however struck his interest and for the first time he really applied himself, reading everything he could find about business and got into financial services.

Gray experienced an early mid-life crisis and so he left everything and took three months off.

“I tried to rebalance, so for the first two months I just had fun. I did not talk, think or read business, but the third month I started strategizing on the way forward,” said the man with the dark beard.

Gray was shocked to find that he was not bubbling over with business ideas, instead he said it was like losing fitness and he had to work to get it back.

“I just prayed for an answer to what I should do with my life.”

He researched the maker idea and then it clicked, he could do the two things that interested him most: working in a creative environment and unlocking people’s potential.

So, in April 2013, the MakerSpace was born, first with a website and then with the space.

“It is like a gym, you sign up, pay a monthly fee, use the equipment either on your own if you know how or you can join a class and learn.”

According to Gray, the MakerSpace is there to give you that little push, encourage you to find your creativity and to not feel intimidated – you do not have to be a creative genius to be a maker.

“We have moved to a level where products do not have to be completed immediately. Like your phone that gets updates regularly, makers constantly share ideas and improve products.”

He said that so called open source communities of makers allow for major acceleration around development and innovation.

“Now, everyone is using 3D desktop printers to print anything and everything. They are fantastic, however they are not conducive to mass production, because they are too slow. For about

R10 000 you can start printing.”

There are two main rules at the MakerSpace, one is that you cannot leave without making something and the second is that you need to leave the space better than you found it.

“If you do not like the colour of the wall, get some paint and change it.”

Gray’s wife, Mandy and three children are all little makers and enjoy the thrill of creating something.

“I just started making jewelry, using a laser cutter and other tools and now I am addicted to making,” said Mandy, who now sells her be: found range online.

Besides her book clocks, Mandy’s pocket buddies are particularly sweet, as they clip onto your pocket and when someone says “oh, that is cute,” you are supposed to give it to that person and so it passes on and makes people smile.

To join Gray and the Maker Movement, check out their Facebook page the MakerSpace Foundation or their website on themakerspace.co.za

The revolution is here, are you in or are you out?