“In today's market-driven culture, industrial designers commit themselves to producers in order to realize their creativity. Producers, with the power to control all aspects of a product, are the gatekeepers of design creativity, deciding what and how products are available to consumers.” (Kadushin, 2010)

Open source design allows designers to display their work in a global online marketplace, while also giving others the opportunity to develop, modify or improve their models and ideas. This creates a powerful database for all members of the design world to view, gain inspiration from and download other people’s work under a creative commons license. The designer is always acknowledged as the original creator and owner of the design, even in case of a derivative design, meaning that a designer can upload their work safe in the knowledge that no matter who downloads it and changes it, they will always retain full original credit.

The open design world also creates a virtual platform where designers can showcase their work, much like an exhibition. Users can browse their archives and give praise or download their designs to show their support. Occasionally, design work will be noticed and picked up by producers or companies who wish to develop their work further, resulting in payment to the original creator and credit as the designer.

Open source design is changing the way people create and collaborate within the design world. Many open source projects have developed into entire companies, funded and created by users and shared for free on the internet. This is especially true in the field of 3D printing, where plans for various RepRap printers are available for free online, allowing users to download and build their own 3D printer, and in turn allowing them to produce the parts for more 3D printers on the machines themselves.

Embracing this open design movement allows designers to give and receive feedback with other people all around the world from a variety of backgrounds. This can lead to very powerful designs, which can always be improved upon or changed in order create a new purpose. The ideas of many can come together to form strong designs, created by users, for users.

     - Open source design creates a community
     - The collaboration of many ideas can create powerful designs
     - Share your knowledge and gain others’ expertise
     - Being open to creative input from other designers can help you create good design
     - Open design is created by the users, for the users

Kadushin, R. (2010, September). Open Design Manifesto. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from Ronen Kadushin: http://www.ronen-kadushin.com/files/4613/4530/1263/Open_Design_Manifesto-Ronen_Kadushin_.pdf

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