Design of the Week: This Is Fine

By on November 25th, 2019 in Design

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 3D printed version of the “This Is Fine” meme [Source: Thingiverse]
3D printed version of the “This Is Fine” meme [Source: Thingiverse]

This week’s selection is the “This Is Fine” 3D model by industrial designer Phil Carroll.

Carroll, based in New Jersey, has developed a series of cartoony 3D models and uploaded them to Thingiverse for all to enjoy. One of them is “This Is Fine”, based on the famous meme.

Carroll explains:

“I thought this would be a fun, little desk ornament to show how you’re able to handle it while everything else is “going up in flames”.

If this looks familiar, it’s because it’s based off the webcomic attached below. That being said the proportions of the dog are a little odd since I wanted it to match up with the comic strip.”

 The classic This Is Fine comic [Source: The Verge]
The classic This Is Fine comic [Source: The Verge]

What’s with the meme here? In an interview with The Verge, artist KC Green, the creator of the original comic, explains:

“This was in 2013. I think I was still struggling with myself — with getting my anti-depressants and stuff right. You know, every now and then you have these off days where shit is worse, but you’re trying to ignore it. It’s just a feeling you have. I wrote this comic and that was all there was to it.”

In 2014 the comic was posted as a meme and from there it took off, parodying any type of bad news with the feeling described by Green.

Carroll somehow developed a 3D model merely from the 2D comic images, and it turns out pretty well:

 This Is Fine 3D model shown from a normal viewing angle [Source: Fabbaloo]
This Is Fine 3D model shown from a normal viewing angle [Source: Fabbaloo]

However, in any case of transforming a 2D portrayal into a full 3D object, things aren’t always quite complete or correct. Take a look at this image of the 3D model from a different angle than the normal view:

 This Is Fine 3D model shown from an unusual angle [Source: Fabbaloo]
This Is Fine 3D model shown from an unusual angle [Source: Fabbaloo]

Looks a little odd, doesn’t it?

This is not a fault in the model, but merely demonstrating that 2D is most definitely not equal to 3D. This happens constantly when this type of modeling is attempted. I imagine 3D model of Picasso’s works would assume a similar fashion.

One word of caution about this 3D model: it’s enormous at the default size. The base alone is 457mm wide, far larger than many typical 3D printer’s build volume dimensions. I believe you could attempt to 3D print the other components as the largest dimension of the rest is a maximum of 288mm. That just might fit on some 3D printers.

However, your best bet is to simply change the sizing of each of the six parts. But be absolutely certain you reduce them all by the same percentage.

Or else “Things Are Fine” will not be fine.

Via Thingiverse

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!