Makedo: A Revolution in Cardboard Construction

Paul Justin's Award-Winning Design Inspires Imagination and Creativity

Paul Justin's inspiration for Makedo stemmed from the boundless imagination of children. Recognizing the potential in universally available and free cardboard, he developed a set of intuitive, reusable tools that enable children to independently craft their own worlds. This open-ended construction system is a testament to the power of simplicity and the limitless possibilities it can unlock.

Makedo's unique properties lie in its simplicity and versatility. It is an open-ended system of tools designed for creative cardboard construction. By enabling children to repurpose everyday cardboard into imaginative and useful creations, Makedo fosters the critical thinking skills of tomorrow's problem solvers. The system thrives in collaborative, creative environments such as classrooms, maker-spaces, libraries, museums, and homes.

The Makedo system is primarily manufactured by injection moulding, with parts made from various materials such as PP, ABS, PA66, and SS#420. The design and material selection were carefully considered to maintain affordability, especially for the primary market in education. In addition, a free library of printable part files is offered, which can be 3D printed to enhance, accessorise, and hack the making process.

Makedo kits come in varying quantities, catering to individual tools, home kits, and classroom kits. The size of creations made with Makedo is only limited by the cardboard supply and the maker's capability. From a small creation held in one's hand to a football field-sized maze built by hundreds of people, the possibilities are endless.

The project, which started in March 2017 in Melbourne, was introduced to trade in January 2019. The development process involved extensive prototyping, user testing, and multiple factory visits. The primary insight was the need to extend system capability for older makers without compromising safety for younger users. The design language of the Makedo system was consolidated, and the use of plastics in packaging was significantly reduced.

In conclusion, Makedo is a testament to Paul Justin's innovative spirit and commitment to fostering creativity and critical thinking in children. By transforming everyday cardboard into a tool for imagination and learning, Makedo has truly revolutionized the way children play and learn.