Transforming Ideas into Tangible Artifacts: Discovering Making, Makers, and the Making Experience

Although there is a substantial body of literature exploring Making and Maker communities, a definition of Making and a characterization of Makers are still under consideration. In this study, we conducted 15 semi-structured interviews covering encompassing a diverse range of Making activities, including textile work, robotics, and electronics. We engaged with a broad spectrum of Makers across different ages, genders, and geographical locations. From these interviews, we offer a broad and narrow definition of Making and describe dimensions that describe Makers highlighting their diversity. Additionally, we explore the Maker experience from the initial conception of ideas to the creation of tangible artifacts. This research provides a theoretical frame for understanding Making, essential for designing methodologies and tools in this field.