There are moments in life that call for particular reflection:  birthdays with a zero, weddings, etc. 

As I’m experiencing one of these moments, moving on to new professional adventures, I’d like to share my perspective on some topics we’ve been discussing on this blog the past three years. 

How have the worlds of 3D and product innovation evolved since 2008?

3D
For sure 3D has become more mainstream, although the ultimate sign will be when kids use 3D software to design their Mother’s Day decorative vase gifts and print them—both actions from home.  Some signs that we’re getting closer to widespread adoption, take LG’s recent Optimus 3D announcement.  Optimus 3D is a smartphone with a glasses-free 3D screen and 3D recording camera.  

Or what about 3D food printing?  And I’ll bet you at least thought about asking Santa for a Sony 3DTV last year . . . but you probably changed your mind because the quantity and quality of 3D content isn’t ready yet.  Rest assured it will be as soon as enough creatives have embraced 3D as their expression medium. 

Innovation
I’m not sure innovation is something that can evolve, but I do feel comfortable saying that the processes to capture and manufacture innovation have progressed.  With social computing platforms bleeding into the workplace, new fangled ideas are digitally captured, commented on, morphed into even crazier but ingenious concepts, and sometimes, when a business model can be agreed upon, produced and sold. 

As Orange Labs Sociologist Dominique Cardon said at our recent Design in Life event, “Bottom-up innovations must be local and personal, and because they are personal, their inventors are driven to share with others.  This is when the innovation process begins.”  Personal innovations for the greater good. 

With mobile technology conquering our hearts and pocketbooks, smartphones and tablets are slowly replacing the pulp-constituted idea notebook.  Armed with them at all times, we can now plug our ideas directly into the digital grid, rather than first writing them down on that sheet of paper that may get lost with our socks. 

Reality
I’d say how we consider reality has definitely changed.  Virtual is no longer considered fake or marginal.  We’re starting to trust it.  So much that we’re opting to test agricultural innovations, the safety of new mobility concepts, and Dr. Seuss-like building designs as real-life dress rehearsals.  Lifelike experience. 

We’re using devices to augment our physical world experiences and obtain complimentary information, even as urban tourists in some cases.  Digital has changed our notion of what’s really possible, and what you see is not only what you get.  Your cereal box is not just about cereal. 

PLM
When the likes of Oracle start taking interest in Product Lifecycle Management, I’d say we’re up to a new level.  This technology is no longer just for IT geeks. 

PLM is C-level strategic.  And once the boardroom decides to go for it, designers, engineers, purchasing, marketers, the supply chain, consumers, and, IT geeks all find their place and solution within the PLM network.  PLM, the united colors of making stuff.
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I will miss you once I’m gone.  But rest assured there are great people that will keep 3D Perspectives alive and feisty.  And most important there’s YOU. 

Like my High School Principal Dr. Jewel always said at the fall welcome assembly, “What you get out of Needham B. Broughton is a direct correlation to what you put into it.”  So replace my alma mater with 3D Perspectives and go for the purple and gold.  Oops, sorry, a pep rally slip.  Just go for the gold. 

I wish you the best and look forward to our next encounter, online or offline.

Warmest regards,

Kate

Twitter @KateBo

In case you haven’t noticed, I ran a quiz on Twitter for quite a few weeks now and I thought you guys may enjoy the results  summed up as it’s pretty amazing to see how much 3D evolved over the years.

First, you’ve got to know that the very first device that enabled people to see 3D pictures comes all the way from 1838! Right, it’s that old! It was invented by Charles Wheatstone who “was awarded the Royal Medal of the Royal Society […], [for] a research which led him to make stereoscopic drawings and construct the stereoscope”.

Quickly after that, in 1853, Wilhelm Rollmann developed the first red and cyan glasses and, in 1861, Coleman Seller Jr. patented the Kinematoscope which delivered stereoscopic animations, i.e. 3D movies!

It took some time before an actual movie popped up on cinema screens but, finally, in 1922, The Power of Love was released.

Not so long afterwards, in 1935, the 3D movie Audioscopiks was even nominated for an Oscar!

However, we had to wait until 2003 and James cameron’s Ghost of the Abyss to have a full length movie. By the way, it was a documentary about the Titanic’s jetsam!

Of course, it really exploded with Avatar in 2009 (still by James Cameron by the way) and since then you even have the possibility to have a personal 3D TV…

Can you imagine? We will be able to tell our kids “you know, I was there when we had 2D TVs!”

But first, let’s see if you’ve studied enough… I’ll give you the answer next week in the comment section!

Cheers,

Rémi

As an editor, you might want to publish your content to new devices like the iPhone and iPad. And you also might want to go further and propose a completely new experience to your digital readers. 

This is what we did with TL, a quarterly magazine dedicated to innovative talent, materials and trends in the field of design, fashion, retail and urban environments.

Not only can you now read the 9th issue of TL on your mobile device, you can also dive into a selection of the SPOTTED items via the 3D application powered by 3DVIA Mobile.

Flip through TL#9 on your iPhone, iPod and iPad and discover a selection of items designed by renowned creators. Visualize the 3D models of TL Magazine on your iPhone, insert them into your photos and finally share your creations via email or Facebook. It’s that simple!

Forged in the R&D Labs at Dassault Systèmes, this small app already available on the AppStore for 4.99€ is another example of 3D as a mobile media.

I hope you digital readers will enjoy this interactive 3D mobile experience on your Apple devices.  

And as a bonus, you might want to send your best renderings, for they will be displayed on the TL and BMD blog and will be rewarded with a free 1-year subscription!

Now is time to get creative!

Best,

Victorien