In a twist reminiscent of classic 90s board game Electronic Dream Phone, or its precedent Mystery Date, Match.com’s latest campaign is asking women to pick their dream dates from a selection of 3D printed Model Males.
The figurines are available for a limited time from a pop-up store in Marylebone, London, promoting guys “who don’t believe in ghosting but do believe in making a date special”.
Why ‘ghosting’ and ‘breadcrumbing’ are no fairytale
Though online dating has its fair share of success stories, a number of trends have started to give the sites a bad name.
For those unfamiliar with the terminology, ‘ghosting’ is when a person suddenly cuts off all contact, even after a series of apparently successful dates.
‘Breadcrumbing’, on the other hand, is when someone leads on contact through a series of noncommittal, but flirtatious, messages.
With Model Males, Match.com is sending out the message that the online dating climate isn’t always so bleak. And seven men have volunteered their time and likeness to prove it.
The ultimate selfie
The 7 inch tall figures of the Model Males have been 3D printed by “3D selfie” company Mini-You.
First, the seven romantic volunteers were 3D scanned inside a specially designed photogrammetry frame. Installed with 52 DSLR cameras, the kit takes multiple photos of the volunteers from every angle.
These photos are then digitally stitched together to make a 3D model of each man, who has an active profile on Match.com.
From the data, they are 3D printed in full-color using 3D Systems binder jetting technology.
The finished models have a solid and rough-surface quality to them as they are made from gypsum sand.
Visitors to the store are free to take them home, and also encouraged to send a message if they like the sound of their profile.
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Featured image: 3D printed Model Males from Match.com and Mini-You. Photo by Kia Kurita for 3D Printing Industry
