10 things with: 3dux design
3Dux Design founders Ethan and Ayana Klein. Photo Creds: Marci Klein M.D. | President 3DuxDesign
What is 3dux Design and how did you come up with the name?
3DuxDesign is an architectural modeling system consisting of a series of six uniquely shaped connectors engineered to transform ordinary cardboard into a tool for STEM learning. We also offer a variety of community-centered design challenges, STEM project, and standard aligned lessons and curriculum which when combined, it is perfect for hands-on creative play in the home and more formal learning in the classroom.
We came up with the name by using 3D: meaning 3D printing AND 3D modeling, and UX= user experience, not the kind that focuses on navigating a website but REAL user experience, and the Design, because our projects focus on using the design thinking process to create and innovate. When put together, it turns into 3DuxDesign!
Fun Fact: We started our company by prototyping the product in a 3D printer, in fact, the first 9 months of our business, we 3D printed over 100,000 connectors and our dining room was a printer farm, with 4 printers going 24 hours/day.
What inspired this project?
One summer while in high school, I (Ayana) took an architecture class at Columbia University and fell in love with the idea of students having the opportunity and tools to learn STEM through hands-on architectural and urban design modeling while integrating math, science and modern technology with culture, community, and humanity. Plus, building with cardboard is fun! At the same time, Ethan was learning CAD (computer-aided design) for a high school class, so it was a perfect opportunity to learn CAD on a project that had meaning so it was easy to get him on board.
Who do you guys look up to?
We get a ton of inspiration from our parents who were both doctors but have always been interested in inventing, creating, and designing solutions to problems that they see. Every year growing, our mom would be inventing a new contraption, business design, etc. And sometimes we were the guinea pigs. I also have a professor at Washington University that is a huge source of inspiration to me (Ayana). She runs a non-profit architecture workshop in downtown St. Louis as there are a ton of children in that community have many needs and few resources. Her shop is basically an open door for kids to play, learn, be safe and be inspired. I’ve taken her classes every year since I was a freshman.
You guys are both in college. What's next for you?
Ethan just started as a freshman at Northeastern University, so he has 4 years left. After I graduate from WashU, I plan on working at another company that a bit bigger to really get to know what it’s like to be part of a bigger team and not the one in charge where I can also learn more about how to run a company. I will definitely be working on 3Dux on the side but ultimately, I want to build my “team” skills and meet some more people in different expertise if I expect 3Dux to grow and be a successful leader.
Where do you see 3Dux in 5 years?
I would love to see 3Dux expanding to Global Student Innovation EXPOs. We already have a “Global Futures” curriculum that allows students to reimagine what their community could look like. They build models of their entire community and include solutions based on the unique challenges they see in their own neighborhoods. We plan to create local, regional, and international EXPOS where students can share their ideas and present their solutions to modern problems with a global audience. I imagine and hope to see these expos run at universities around the world.
What has been the most rewarding feedback you've received?
Honestly, I love visiting classes who are working with our product and our design challenges. I also love having the opportunity to talk to the students and tell them about our story of how we saw a problem in the world and through it, designed 3Dux. After talking to them and watching them work, I love to have the students present their projects to us and hear, in their eyes, Ethan and I are famous company owners but still young enough to relate to.
We were just this week notified of our honorable mention at the Fast Company, Innovation By Design Awards. Seeing our product regarded amongst teams at the country’s leading design schools like MIT Media Lab and IIT Institute of Design and Carnegie Melon is something that we would have never imagined 4 years ago at our town farmers’ market.
As inventors yourselves, what other inventions out there would you recommend to others?
I can’t tell you that, it’s a secret!! But, if you are passionate about something then go for it, don’t let anybody hold you back from your ideas!
If you had the opportunity to be on Shark Tank, would you?
Hmm, we talk about that ALL the time, possibly but it would require a shift in our business model. School sales have a really long lead-time and are not something investors like. If we shifted more toward the “toy” retail market, perhaps but it’s not our vision for the short term.
What's your favorite podcast? What books are you currently reading?
I actually don’t really listen to many podcasts or read too many books outside of those for school because between school and 3DuxDesign, I like to keep the time I have left for fun with friends :)