If you can dream it, you can design it— and make it. That’s pretty much Kirby Downey’s design philosophy since discovering SOLIDWORKS and 3D printing in 2009. Kirby has received acclaim for his 3D-printed designs of video game props over the years, and has worked with video game companies, including PlayStation, Bethesda Game Studios, and Activision. You’ve likely seen his work as he’s been featured on the SOLIDWORKS blog and is a SOLIDWORKS Champion who runs the London SOLIDWORKS User Group – London SWUG. Sound familiar?
If not, meet Kirby Downey, a designer and maker who has a passion for 3D printing and design and sharing his knowledge with others.
Before I discuss Kirby’s journey with SOLIDWORKS, here are some things you may or may not know about him:
- He’s from South Africa.
- Growing up, he wanted to be a pilot.
- He is a self-taught SOLIDWORKS user.
- He loves SOLIDWORKS, often spending Friday nights working on projects with friends and learning from each other.
- His favorite SOLIDWORKS feature is surfacing.
- He holds a Guinness World record.
- His website has more than 9 million views.
- His YouTube channel has over 1 million views.
- He enjoys doing cross-stitch to relax while watching TV.
- His favorite game is Red Dead Redemption, but his guilty pleasure is Minecraft.
- His favorite show is The Simpsons, and he has a tattoo to prove it.
- He listens to metal and punk rock music.
- He runs The CORE podcast with Jonny Harrison.
- He doesn’t have a 3D printer at home now that he has access to industrial-sized printers at work.
- He is licensed to sail yachts on the open ocean.
- He got a 100% in surfacing on the SOLIDWORKS CAD Design Professional (CSWP) exam.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to learn more about the man behind the props.
Growing up, Kirby wanted to be a pilot. He still does. He’s got a home flight simulation setup he uses to work on his flying skills. “I’ve always had an interest in aviation and aircraft, but not just flying them, also the mechanical side of things, how things work in terms of the mechanisms, and how the landing gear folds out. I was always fascinated watching a plane take off, thinking to myself, ‘how do they take those big wheels and actually make them fold up?’”
Kirby was also a fan of LEGO, and he continues to embrace his childhood, building and making things with his hands.
Kirby’s introduction to design and 3D printing started in 2009 while studying industrial and product design at the Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa. The university had a lab with a 3D printer, where “I realized whatever I make on screen, I can make in real life—I can make whatever I want,” he said.
What inspires Kirby today? Other people. He is inspired by watching others create and seeing how they turn an idea into the final product. This inspires him to create and take what he’s learned to improve his own skillset and hopefully inspire others.
You can catch Kirby at 3DEXPERIENCE World, where he really enjoys coming together with SOLIDWORKS users from around the world. He plans to share his story on how someone with ADHD could use their unique differences to their advantage to help further their career and their personal life. He’ll also be helping with user group activities and filming the happenings of the event on behalf of The CORE podcast.
“I’ve got my fingers in almost every piece of the pie at World, because I enjoy being part of that, organizing things, and arranging. It’s the user group leader in me.”
Check out Kirby’s latest blog “Using SOLIDWORKS and 3D Printing to Design Custom LEGO Wall Mounts,” and visit his website to see more of his work at https://kirbydowney.com/. Follow Kirby on his YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@KirbyDowney.
