Exciting engineering challenges with great prizes

Show off your skills and solve real design problems

Ceramic Home Décor objects

We are looking for designs for home décor products in ceramics. We will select multiple of winners with different designs instead of just a few.

The challenge: Design home décor ceramic pieces.

Where do you use ceramics? What type of products in ceramics would you like to see in the kitchen, for entertaining at dinner, in the bathroom or other rooms? How about the garden or the office? What would be cool to have completely customized? What would your friends like to see? Think home décor.

We create ceramics in designs that cannot be produced using conventional methods. We will keep this challenge as open as possible and want to see designer’s imagination and creativity.

Here are some product ideas:

1. Green wall tile
Challenge is to design a ceramic tile to cover a vertical wall and create a growing surface for plants. The structure would provide anchoring for the plants and allow nutrients to be delivered to the plant.

2. Kitchen back splash tile feature
A set of tiles to create functional and beautiful kitchen back splash. Could also work for bathroom tiles.

3. Ceramic lighting fixtures and shades
A ceramic lighting fixture or shade that can be made of sections that can be assembled and fired together, to form a larger piece. The design can comprise basic sections that can be 3D printed and mixed and matched to form hundreds of different designs. (More explanation needed?)

Other interesting objects that comes to mind: Mug, cup, bowl, lattice, sugar cup, egg cup, jar set, sushi set, sake cup, coasters, small snack bowl, cheese platter, small shot glasses, soap dish, toothbrush holder, flower vase, ceramic craft – horses, fishes etc., decorations, letter art, napkin rings, candle holder, photo frame, small jewelry box, flower pot for outside or small sculptures. Most items can also include raised or engraved text. The items are endless and we would like to see your creativity at work.

Requirements

  • SIZE OF PIECES:

    Minimum bounding box sum: X + Y + Z dimensions = 120 mm

    Maximum bounding box sum: X + Y + Z dimensions = 400 mm

    Minimum fill per cent > 5.0%

  • WALLS AND FEATURES:

    For bounding box size 120 mm < X+Y+Z < 200 mm wall thickness ≥ 3.0 mm

    For bounding box size 201mm < X+Y+Z < 300 mm wall thickness ≥ 4.0 mm

    For bounding box size 301 mm < X+Y+Z < 400 mm wall thickness ≥ 6.0 mm

    Maximum wall thickness 15.0 mm

    Minimum feature size: 2.0 mm

    Minimum radii for corners: 2.0 mm

    Minimum feature opening size: 5.0 mm

  • Try to avoid thick to thin structures (necking)

  • Enclosed areas might not have glaze applied

  • Only one tone (color) will be used

  • Minimum wall thicknesses are a guide only for large pieces walls should be thicker

  • Glazing reduces the definition of features in the piece

  • Joining faces should have a radius of 2.0 mm

  • Thin struts cannot be attached to large unsupported sections

  • Large sections should be lower in the part

  • Cantilevered struts should be less than 20.0 mm long

  • No moving parts

  • Part must have an obvious base

  • For hollow parts the part must have an opening for powder removal that is at least 10.0 mm diameter

  • TEXT:
    Minimum point size for raised text 36 point or 12.7 mm (0.5 inch)
    Minimum point size for engraved text 60 point or 21.2 mm (0.83 inch)

Rules

  • Winning product designs chosen based on aesthetics, quality of design, manufacturability, and sales potential.

    Multiple winners will be chosen!

  • The competition is open to everyone

  • Team entries are welcome

  • You can submit several designs

  • Only models uploaded to GrabCAD library will participate in the competition

  • Tag your model with “Figulo” to make it easier to find

  • Privately uploaded models will be made public after the competition deadline

  • Models can be done in any CAD software as long as a STEP or IGES files are also uploaded

  • Competition winners will be announced on this challenge site.

  • Only models uploaded through this challenge page will participate in the competition

Prizes

Prizes

We are awarding a larger number of designers with cash prizes of $50 and $100 + sales profit share

Winners will also get sales profit share

Winners will have the opportunity to share sales profit made from the sales of their modeled objects for 6 months after the challenge end date.

About the jury?

Winning product designs chosen based on aesthetics, quality of design, manufacturability, and sales potential by a joint jury of Figulo and GrabCAD and announced on the GrabCAD Challenges website.

About Figulo

Figulo is founded to produce ceramic pieces and objects for consumers, architects and artists. The Figulo production process uses patented Three Dimensional Printing technology developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and advanced ceramic materials research and development to produce ceramic pieces.

The company leverages 16 years of experience in production of ceramics for industrial applications to enter the consumer, architectural and art markets.

More info: http://figulo.com

86 comments

  • Danny Tasmakis

    Danny Tasmakis about 12 years ago

    This looks like a nice artist challenge, good chance for the non engineers to get into the act.
    How about throwing in a printed ceramic piece of the winners entry as well?

    Danny Tasmakis has uploaded 55 CAD models & has left 654 comments.
  • Tomek F.

    Tomek F. about 12 years ago

    I do not know what is
    I do not want to accept the model of the tag in my library
    candle from the candlestick -small fixes

    Tomek F. has uploaded 224 CAD models & has left 160 comments.
  • Tomek F.

    Tomek F. about 12 years ago

    still a question
    or the second time I have to upload the model when it is already in the library

    Tomek F. has uploaded 224 CAD models & has left 160 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    Hi. I work for Figulo and have a few additional comments. First, an unsupported spiral cannot be easily printed. Even if it does print, firing the piece (think of your object turning into near molten rock) would cause its collapse. Also, ceramic materials are generally very brittle. A long thin span is very, very difficult.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Karco

    Karco about 12 years ago

    I think this challenge is really interesting... There are here a lot of members what can´t collaborate with system of engineery and this is open really for many people.
    I hope to be able for upload some designs.
    Thanks for all ;)

    Karco has uploaded 163 CAD models & has left 739 comments.
  • Andreas Gkertsos

    Andreas Gkertsos about 12 years ago

    one person can win one time or more???

    Andreas Gkertsos has uploaded 132 CAD models & has left 506 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    We're so excited about these entries so far! Keep them coming!

    A couple of reminders. Our maximum bounding box sum is 400 mm. If you're designing an object between 301 mm and 400 mm in bounding box sum, the minimum wall thickness is 6 mm. Please keep the design rules in mind when creating your objects.

    Thank you and keep up the great work!

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    RE: Andreas Gkertsos

    Yes, it is possible that a person could win more than one prize.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Tobias Mattsson

    Tobias Mattsson about 12 years ago

    How come Figulo's site dosnt work?

    Tobias Mattsson has uploaded 89 CAD models & has left 810 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    RE: Figulo Site
    Our site will be up later, today, 28 February.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Gabe Blanchet

    Gabe Blanchet about 12 years ago

    Gabe Blanchet has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 98 comments.
  • Sönke Dierks

    Sönke Dierks about 12 years ago

    @ andy jeffery:
    which kind of ceramics do we use? is it possible to use translucent ceramics?

    Sönke Dierks has uploaded 51 CAD models & has left 177 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    Wow!
    The uploads just keep coming and they are amazing! To clarify a couple of things, yes, a person could possibly win more than one prize; another thing to keep in mind: is my design appropriate in ceramics? Often, designs originally conceived for metal, wood, or plastic are appropriate; in other instances, slight adjustments to the model can make them much more executable (and attractive) as ceramic objects.
    Please keep up all the great work!

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Flaviano Crespi

    Flaviano Crespi about 12 years ago

    03.01.2012 11.17 hours
    Something does not work in the indexing of loaded models. The total amount of models increases, but are not listed on the page of the challenge despite their tag "figulo".
    All this happened after the last maintenance of the site!

    Flaviano Crespi has uploaded 339 CAD models & has left 1593 comments.
  • Flaviano Crespi

    Flaviano Crespi about 12 years ago

    12:26
    Now there are, but do not respect the temporal order of introduction, the latest models are not loaded on top of the list but about in the bottom

    Flaviano Crespi has uploaded 339 CAD models & has left 1593 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    Yes. Something odd is going on. Previously, the newest submissions would appear at the top of the first page of submissions. Hopefully, this functionality will be restored.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Hevi

    Hevi about 12 years ago

    Just asking... what is the difference between $50 and $100 winner? ;) Who will get which prize?

    Hevi has uploaded 40 CAD models & has left 469 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    The objects will be critiqued and evaluated on artistic merit, printing viability, design, and sales potential. The prize categories are in two tiers - the $100 prizes for top tier objects, as judge by the jury. Each and every object will be discussed individually and in the context of the other submissions.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Doug Davey

    Doug Davey about 12 years ago

    It seems to me that the descriptions play a big roll in some of the design and that the presented design (even though valuable) may not end up as the final product. However it was the design or concept that is the seed of the end product. How will that designer benefit?

    Doug Davey has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 354 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    RE: Doug Davey
    The submitted designs are what are being juried.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Manolis Theofilos

    Manolis Theofilos about 12 years ago

    The the minimum or maximum bounding box sum must be 120 to 400 mm,
    this is the sum of X+Y+Z dimensions
    So a part can't be 300mm in X and 190 in Y axis at the same time?

    Manolis Theofilos has uploaded 85 CAD models & has left 528 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    That's right, the maximum building box sum, X + Y + Z, cannot be greater than 400 mm. This is a practical limit dictated by our printer's build area and our material handling processes.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    Figulo is so, so excited to have over 200 (!) entries into this competition. The GrabCAD community has already exceeded our expectations. Wow. With 10 days to go, we can't believe all the amazing designs and can't wait to see what else comes in.
    Today, I've got a couple of general comments based on some of the entries over the past few days. First, ceramic materials are quite brittle. They don't bend or flex. They either support a given weight or fail without warning. When in doubt, it is always much better to over-build a structural feature. Second, very small surface details or features, say those less than 2 mm, are often lost in the glazing process. Holes fill in, bumps and ridges are smoothed out. So, in order for a decorative feature to exhibit itself, one must often over emphasize it in the unglazed original.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Brad Pitcher

    Brad Pitcher about 12 years ago

    Thanks for the comments, Forrest. Can you say specifically how thick the layer of glaze will be?

    Brad Pitcher has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • Aaron

    Aaron about 12 years ago

    Does the glazing provide as much strength as the ceramic itself? For example, does a 1.5mm wall with .5mm of glazing have the same strength as a 2mm unglazed wall?

    Aaron has uploaded 132 CAD models & has left 785 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    We don't measure the thickness of our glaze. It varies from piece to piece; even on the same piece, it can vary. Glaze does improve overall strength, but not as much as the overall ceramic thickness. Think of glaze as glass.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Flaviano Crespi

    Flaviano Crespi about 12 years ago

    Hello Forrest, can you tell us about the colors?
    I guess the white is the standard, you can use other colors?
    If yes, for the same object, only one color or multiple colors applied before glazing?
    Thanks for the answer.

    Flaviano Crespi has uploaded 339 CAD models & has left 1593 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    RE: Colors
    We're currently conducting colored glaze trials. We're exploring the full spectrum. Generally, we like to apply one color per object, but with a compelling design, multiple colors of glaze on a single object would be considered, certainly.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Doug Davey

    Doug Davey about 12 years ago

    I do not know, but I think this is the very best of good design Nautilus Flower pot and jug. We (I) would love to have this insight when designing.

    Doug Davey has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 354 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    Hey, all.
    4+ days to go and it looks like we'll hit 300+ entries! This is SO exciting. Now, the hard part will be for the judges to pick all the winners!

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Tobias Mattsson

    Tobias Mattsson about 12 years ago

    That will be the fun part. :)

    Tobias Mattsson has uploaded 89 CAD models & has left 810 comments.
  • Maria

    Maria about 12 years ago

    whats the deadline date and time?

    Maria has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • Tobias Mattsson

    Tobias Mattsson about 12 years ago

    Read at the top right of this site. it says Deadline: 3 days.
    That meens that its 3 days left until the challenge is over.

    Tobias Mattsson has uploaded 89 CAD models & has left 810 comments.
  • engineer

    engineer about 12 years ago

    288, come on 12 entries and we will get a record!

    engineer has uploaded 64 CAD models & has left 463 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    Yeah!

    I just KNOW you all can break 300! Let's go for 350 entries!!! We want those judges to make some difficult decisions!

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    300 and counting!!!!!

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    Whoa! 330! We're gonna do it. We're gonna break 350, I just know it!

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Andreas Gkertsos

    Andreas Gkertsos about 12 years ago

    I think that you'll have a lot of work to do with the entries here:) 350 :)

    Andreas Gkertsos has uploaded 132 CAD models & has left 506 comments.
  • Kaspar Kiis

    Kaspar Kiis about 12 years ago

    The challenge has ended with the record number of entries. Thank you to all the participants. Before we start picking the winners, can everybody please make sure they have their entry listed on the challenge page.

    Kaspar Kiis has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 635 comments.
  • Doug Davey

    Doug Davey about 12 years ago

    The most important aspect of this challenge is the benefit the company has for so little effort. I would love to know how long it would have taken then to get the quality and quantity of designs that they have here. Also how much would it have cost to get 341 designs?
    This is what other companies need to see and understand

    Doug Davey has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 354 comments.
  • Forrest

    Forrest about 12 years ago

    This is great! We're really psyched to have all of the entrants as part of our growing community. That's why Figulo and GrabCAD are interested in working together. Sure, we may get some great designs and all make money, but, as cliche as it sounds, most important to Figulo is reaching out to users and designers to make exciting work together.

    Forrest has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 19 comments.
  • Doug Davey

    Doug Davey about 12 years ago

    Forrest ..... I was not in any way making comment about what you are getting, I think it is great. What I wanted to point out was the great benefit companies can have by coming to GrabCad. I hope you will come back it was great fun and that not to even speak about the great work that we all got to witness. As a designer (mechanical designer) I was uplifted by the creativity of GrabCad er’s

    Doug Davey has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 354 comments.
  • Ryan Burgess

    Ryan Burgess about 12 years ago

    when do you think the winners will be announced?

    Ryan Burgess has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Kaspar Kiis

    Kaspar Kiis about 12 years ago

    As you might have seen, this is the challenge with the most entries in GrabCAD. The jury is currently working on the results and will be able to give you an update shortly.

    Kaspar Kiis has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 635 comments.
  • Andy Jeffery

    Andy Jeffery about 12 years ago

    Thank you all for participating in our Ceramics Home Decor objects challenge. The number and quality of entries greatly exceeded our expectation and we are looking forward to making the winning entries.

    Andy Jeffery has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 33 comments.
  • Aaron

    Aaron about 12 years ago

    I can't imagine what kind of task it is to judge 349 white objects. Yes, some are in color, but still... I guess it's a ton of fun for Figulo.

    Aaron has uploaded 132 CAD models & has left 785 comments.
  • Tobias Mattsson

    Tobias Mattsson about 12 years ago

    How are the Jury's work proceding?

    Tobias Mattsson has uploaded 89 CAD models & has left 810 comments.
  • Nuno Felix

    Nuno Felix about 12 years ago

    Any idea on the day to announce the results?

    Nuno Felix has uploaded 302 CAD models & has left 188 comments.
  • Kaspar Kiis

    Kaspar Kiis about 12 years ago

    We will announce the results in few days, latest by the end of this week.Thank you all for being patient.

    Kaspar Kiis has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 635 comments.
  • Blair Dixon

    Blair Dixon about 12 years ago

    Can't wait to see what the winning designs are.

    Blair Dixon has uploaded 30 CAD models & has left 59 comments.
  • Andreas Gkertsos

    Andreas Gkertsos almost 12 years ago

    We're waiting for the results:)

    Andreas Gkertsos has uploaded 132 CAD models & has left 506 comments.
  • Firas Alabidi

    Firas Alabidi almost 12 years ago

    The suspense is killing me :)

    Firas Alabidi has uploaded 13 CAD models & has left 14 comments.
  • Kaspar Kiis

    Kaspar Kiis almost 12 years ago

    Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to all the participants!

    Kaspar Kiis has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 635 comments.
  • Sudhir Gill

    Sudhir Gill almost 12 years ago

    Thanx Kaspar Kiis

    Sudhir Gill has uploaded 369 CAD models & has left 1261 comments.
  • Andreas Gkertsos

    Andreas Gkertsos almost 12 years ago

    Congratulations to all of you!!

    Andreas Gkertsos has uploaded 132 CAD models & has left 506 comments.
  • Tomek F.

    Tomek F. almost 12 years ago

    Congratulations to the winners

    Tomek F. has uploaded 224 CAD models & has left 160 comments.
  • Branko Stokuca

    Branko Stokuca almost 12 years ago

    Thank you people.

    Branko Stokuca has uploaded 117 CAD models & has left 855 comments.
  • Oliver Palmer

    Oliver Palmer almost 12 years ago

    Thank you all!

    Oliver Palmer has uploaded 87 CAD models & has left 43 comments.
  • engineer

    engineer almost 12 years ago

    Thanks to all!

    engineer has uploaded 64 CAD models & has left 463 comments.
  • Dizingof

    Dizingof almost 12 years ago

    Thank you Figulo !

    Dizingof has uploaded 73 CAD models & has left 32 comments.
  • Sudhir Gill

    Sudhir Gill almost 12 years ago

    Thanks to all.. :D

    Sudhir Gill has uploaded 369 CAD models & has left 1261 comments.
  • Doug Davey

    Doug Davey almost 12 years ago

    Congratulations to the winners

    Doug Davey has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 354 comments.
  • Tomas

    Tomas almost 12 years ago

    Thank You All! :)

    Tomas has uploaded 50 CAD models & has left 760 comments.
  • Nuno Felix

    Nuno Felix almost 12 years ago

    were the $50 prizes awarded also?

    Nuno Felix has uploaded 302 CAD models & has left 188 comments.
  • johnathan

    johnathan almost 12 years ago

    Congratulations to everyone

    johnathan has uploaded 10 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • CHRISTIAAN

    CHRISTIAAN almost 12 years ago

    Nice one guys !!

    CHRISTIAAN has uploaded 5 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • Kaspar Kiis

    Kaspar Kiis almost 12 years ago

    @Nuno as Figulo was so satisfied with the results they decided to change 50 USD prizes to 100 USD.

    Kaspar Kiis has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 635 comments.
  • Nuno Felix

    Nuno Felix almost 12 years ago

    Damm I lost again!! ;)

    Nuno Felix has uploaded 302 CAD models & has left 188 comments.
  • Greg Hynd

    Greg Hynd almost 12 years ago

    Congrats to all the winners! Figulo, I trust none of the other designs will be used by you as they didnt win?

    Greg Hynd has uploaded 129 CAD models & has left 92 comments.
  • Flaviano Crespi

    Flaviano Crespi almost 12 years ago

    Good question Greg!, I congratulate the winners and I would be curious also to know the reply.

    Flaviano Crespi has uploaded 339 CAD models & has left 1593 comments.
  • Hugo

    Hugo almost 12 years ago

    Congratulations to all! And thanks to everyone!

    Hugo has uploaded 8 CAD models & has left 10 comments.
  • Hardi Meybaum

    Hardi Meybaum almost 12 years ago

    Yes Figulo does not have rights to use the content that they did not select as a winner.

    Hardi Meybaum has uploaded 6 CAD models & has left 771 comments.
  • Tomek F.

    Tomek F. almost 12 years ago

    a satisfactory Hardi@
    but how to control?

    Tomek F. has uploaded 224 CAD models & has left 160 comments.
  • Hardi Meybaum

    Hardi Meybaum almost 12 years ago

    I think Figulo is a Company that cares about their reputation. GrabCAD has a very big and vibrant community and a reasonable Company will not want to make that kind of mistake.

    I personally know the people at Figulo and they are very ethical business people, so you should not be worried.

    Hardi Meybaum has uploaded 6 CAD models & has left 771 comments.
  • Tomek F.

    Tomek F. almost 12 years ago

    especially being from different parts of the world

    Tomek F. has uploaded 224 CAD models & has left 160 comments.
  • Tomek F.

    Tomek F. almost 12 years ago

    It is true that by publishing the GRABCAD take some risks.

    Tomek F. has uploaded 224 CAD models & has left 160 comments.
  • Marius Strydom

    Marius Strydom almost 12 years ago

    Great challenge can not believe that two of my designs won 100USD.

    It would be nice if GrabCAD can do more of this type of challenges.

    @ Figulo Please can you guys upload some pics of the winning Ceramic Pots etc. when in production.

    Thanks again for the great Competition hope you guys do something like this again in the future.

    ;)

    Marius Strydom has uploaded 21 CAD models & has left 20 comments.
  • PHILLIP COLE

    PHILLIP COLE almost 12 years ago

    why was my model not considered for the figulo challenge?

    PHILLIP COLE has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • Kaspar Kiis

    Kaspar Kiis almost 12 years ago

    We have announced the $50 winners round. Congratulations and thank you to everybody!

    Kaspar Kiis has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 635 comments.
  • Leonardo Alves

    Leonardo Alves almost 12 years ago

    Obrigado, gostei da experiência, espero participar de outras competições que virão, e que a dia eu possa aperfeiçoar minhas técnicas e postar grandes modelos.

    Leonardo Alves has uploaded 17 CAD models & has left 91 comments.
  • Ramses Chavez

    Ramses Chavez almost 12 years ago

    thank you for the honor of having chosen 3 of my designs, was a great challenge

    Ramses Chavez has uploaded 49 CAD models & has left 73 comments.
  • Dizingof

    Dizingof almost 12 years ago

    Thank you GrabCAD & Figulo - i got the $100 winning price by PayPal.

    Looking forward to seeing how my model does in the real world with consumers.

    Cheers

    Dizingof has uploaded 73 CAD models & has left 32 comments.
  • Nick Hampton

    Nick Hampton over 11 years ago

    Did anyone recieve word on the profit share yet?

    Nick Hampton has uploaded 20 CAD models & has left 26 comments.
  • Please log in to add comments.

    Log in
We have updated our terms in order to better protect your hard work and keep our challenges running smoothly! To submit your challenge entry, please read and accept the new Challenge Terms and Conditions.

Save Cancel