Just Robots by Onorio and Scott: The Most Adorable 3D Printed Robots Ever!
Do you find the word “robot” to carry a cold, lifeless connotation? Does that feeling increase even more if the robot is 3D Printed? Then let us blow your mind with a gang of the cutest, most lovable 3D Printed robots on Earth! These 3D Printed robot figurines are designed, hand-painted, and sold online by two designers, Scott Brimley and Onorio D’Epiro, under the “Just Robots” brand. We interviewed the UK-based duo to find out how they brought the cute little robots to life through i.materialise!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
“We are a collaborative team who have both model making and computer-based modeling skills. Onorio has a model making background with a passion for movie props and designer toys. Scott is a computer whiz and has a catalogue of knowledge when it comes to all things technology. When we are not working at a college teaching computer animation and 3D design, we are busy building an army of loveable droids over at http://www.justrobots.co.uk.”
“Strong Bot” 3D Printed in Prime Gray and hand-painted by Onorio ©Just Robots
2. Where do you derive your inspiration from?
Scott: “For these robots, most of my inspiration is provided by Onorio’s veritable fountain of creation. I work from his doodles on this project. Everything after that is coalesced from the flotsam and jetsam left imprinted on my brain by a lifetime of watching films like Flight of the Navigator, my childhood collection of Transformers, gasping in awe at amazing 3D art, still playing with Lego, taking all things to bits just because, genuinely really wanting robots to exist and being able to print one!”
Strong Bot and his lovely friend, Chunky Bot ©Just Robots
3. How did you become interested in robots?
Onorio: “I have always been interested in robots from a young age. The simplicity and use of symmetry has always been an appealing design feature. Whilst studying at University I produced a rusty robot that was the kick-start for the current 3D Printed pieces we now produce. The ability to give a robot character and make them desirable to collectors is very satisfying to achieve.”
This is Chatter Bot, he just loves to chatter. © Just Robots
4. When did you start using 3D Printing technology? Which tool or software do you use most?
Scott: “I first had some items printed a couple of years ago, just out of curiosity. I lived for a while with these 3D models just on my computer screen… but with the quick-evolving world of 3D Printing, I now have the ability to make them real! It felt – to me at least – a bit like a 3D model version of a Polaroid photograph. I want one of these, just like this, kind of nowish.
Render of Beep Bot developed by Scott using Blender ©Just Robots
I mainly use the ever-developing splendor beast of 3D software that is ‘Blender’. I simply like the way it works. It also has some pretty useful tools for analyzing 3D models for printing.”
And then they came to life through 3D Printing! Two Beep Bots are on their home planet now © Just Robots
5. Why did you choose 3D Printing over other options such as traditional casting?
Scott: “Firstly, I get to prototype the designs quickly and quite affordably. The way that we make and sell the robots lends itself to 3D Printing them. We never have to buy stock in advance and it makes it easy to provide custom paint jobs as each Robot is made to order. I could lock Onorio in a room and force him to make each one by hand, but I don’t think he would be too happy with that. The set up costs of full-scale casting production are prohibitive.”
Onorio carefully hand-painting the 3D printed robots © Just Robots
6. Out of all the designs you have created, which one is your favorite?
“The ones no one has seen yet. You have got to love the one you are working on at the moment the best. If you’re not moving forward and doing something you like even more than the previous one, then why do it? But if we had to pick one then it would be ‘Strong Bot’, mainly because that was the point where I think we thought that we had something that could work and separate us from other 3D Printing designers.”
Which robot is your favorite? ©Just Robots
7. Which material is your favorite to 3D Print in, and why?
“We really like the Prime Gray material and the layering also works well for the way the robots look when they are painted. Also it feels really nice. We are looking to play around with other materials, as some of our future concepts have rubber elements. We would love to be able to have some pieces printed in metal but unfortunately we haven’t got the budget to realize that at the moment!”
Strong bot will defend you to the last. Any desk-based invaders will be utterly smashed by his hulking fists. He may not be very bright and he may just gaze at you all day long, but he’s more loyal than any dog. © Just Robots
8. What are your tips and suggestions for creating 3D Printed metal art and robot designs?
Onorio: “Well, actually the pieces are plastic, I just add a few paint tricks and weathering to make them look metal! As we always print our pieces hollow, we have added weight to all of our robots with the use of resin and other materials to give them their own unique sound when rattled and shaken! Essentially we have a base form for all of the robots – same arm and leg joints. The eyes are always the same and the robot normally consists of three main pieces (head, body and groin).
It’s painted so well that it looks like it’s made of metal © Just Robots
We find that working quickly and with as little design restrictions allows us to keep everything fresh and enjoyable. The robot concepts change from start to finish as we both have our own little changes and design details that we think work best. Overall, try and enjoy what you do and always keep up to date with what other artists and designers are producing in order to keep original and current.”
He’s a chunk, he’s a bot, he’s Chunky Bot! ©Just Robots
9. What advice would you give to new 3D designers?
“Gaze with childlike wonder at the staggering range of possibilities available to you, dream up something that would never have existed otherwise and print it. I still get excited when I unwrap the box and see the little robot faces.”
10. Which part of your design process is the most complex or difficult, and how do you handle this difficulty?
“As we are involved with the whole development, we generally don’t struggle with the design process as we have an open drawing board and open suggestion policy when creating. The ability to keep costs down and manufacturing affordable for our collectors and supporters is our main concern, so this is sometimes an issue when creating a new design.
You can have your very own 3D Printed robot in a color you want! © Just Robots
We aim to make every piece unique and special to every customer and our ability to hand-finish every piece allows us to customize every robot. If you want one scratched and pink or black and rusted, we can do it!”
How nice would it be to have an adorable 3D Printed robot like this on your desk? © Just Robots
By now many of you must be getting anxious to know where you can get one of these charming 3D Printed robots. Don’t worry, because all of Scott and Onorio’s robots are on sale on their website! Also check out their Instagram to fall more in love with these charming designs.
You’ve also 3D printed something as cute as Just Robots through i.materialise? Share it with a hashtag #imaterialise and your design might be the next one to be featured on this blog!
