West Side Forward hosted a 3D printing workshop on May 17, gave the local community the chance to design and create their own custom action figures.
Sponsored by United Way of Metro Chicago, the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and West Side Forward, the event sought to expand access to emerging technology and inspire innovation among residents with no prior experience required.
Participants were introduced to Blender software and professional 3D printers, including Ultimaker and MakerBot models.
The workshop was led by filmmaker and media arts educator Coquie Hughes, who was inspired by the new online trend where users turn themselves into AI-generated action figures with custom packaging and accessories using OpenAI’s latest image tool in ChatGPT.
“I owned a couple of 3D printers, and I decided to make myself an action figure. I didn’t want to just do the graphics. I actually wanted to create a physical design. I had never done it before, but I’m always open to challenges as an artist,” Hughes said.
Hughes is also the founder of Pocket Set Studios. Her partnership with West Side Forward began when she started teaching smartphone filmmaking workshops, which align with Pocket Set Studios’ mission to empower individuals to create and share content using their smartphones.
“This workshop is definitely designed for people who have no experience. So basically, it’s just an opportunity to get a taste of 3D printing. If participants want to expand more on this, they definitely can do that,” Hughes said.
When asked how the workshop benefits the local community, Hughes said it introduces participants to 3D printing, encourages creativity and entrepreneurship and teaches essential skills.
“Then, if you want to take it further and do something artistic – like making a sculpture or an art figure of yourself – I mean, an action figure of yourself –you can do that,” Hughes said.
Roxanne Charles, president of West Side Forward, said that the focus is on Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale and Humboldt Park. The organization provides career development opportunities and business support, helping people start new businesses, grow existing ones and sustain operations. This work is specifically connected to initiatives of the City of Chicago.
According to Charles, West Side Forward’s partnerships with United Way, Metro Chicago, and the City of Chicago’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection have been ongoing for about 10 years.
“So, we’ve been doing that, as I said, for a number of years. ‘How did it come about?’ I would say through our demonstrated commitment and visibility in the communities we serve,” Charles said. “Our proximity – since we have a hyper-local focus – means we’re embedded directly within the communities. This makes it easier for people seeking opportunities to look inside their own community rather than outside of it.”
Hughes has plans to expand this workshop and offer other tech-related educational programs.
The next workshop Hughes will host is the Shoot Your Shot Workshop at CineCity Studios on May 24-25. This two-day, hands-on workshop will teach how to use their phones to create promo videos that effectively sell their brand and services.