The OpenRespirator™ Creative Cohort Project
A device that requires no fit test and utilizes the many of the known features of a comfortable mask is the holy grail of mask design. OpenRespirator™’s manufacturing process enables rapid, iterative, and inexpensive prototyping of just this kind of solution.
We’re excited to announce the Respirator Creative Cohort Project, a community-led effort to use the newly launched, open source D2S and filter pot/pleat manufacturing. The team here will incubate the creation and production process of three new, open source respirators, each designed to solve a designated problem.
Over 2025, cohort members will meet phase gates to be trained and resourced by OpenAeros™ and compensated for their time. In turn, they will participate in publicly accessible planning/troubleshooting/Q&A meetings, help to generate video content, and ultimately have their manufactured designs presented and evaluated by our team. Progress will be continuously documented on a dedicated Discord channel and regularly showcased across social media channels.
Three Teams. Three Masks. Three Goals.
THREE TEAMS
ENGINEERS
Those with expertise in specific needs for a uniquely wearable, adaptable, or accessible mask design
MAKERS
Maker(s) with 3D sculpting design interest participating in a creative community (i.e. cosplay)
INDUSTRY PLAYERS
Respirator, PPE, and mask industry players looking to tune their existing offerings to better suit a variety of faces and needs
THREE MASKS
OVER THE COUNTER
An out-of-the-box adaptation or iteration of off-the-shelf, available mask designs
CULTURE CREATION
Applying OpenRespirator technology to develop unique, aesthetically relevant designs that protect the wearer and showcase creativity in spaces like cosplay, LARP, fashion design, etc.
ACCESSIBILITY
Developing protoypes that enhance utility, wearability, and/or adaptability for a specific purpose, such as maintaining line of sight to mouth movement, enhancing portability, etc.
THREE GOALS
DEMONSTRATE
To demonstrate the utility and versatility of this process, OpenAeros will assist cohort members to develop three new respirators, each with a distinct solve for a niche, underserved community or unmet need.
CREATE
Alongside their mask designs, teams will work with OpenAeros to create and share helpful, hopeful, engaging, and curiosity-inspiring content in the space of public health, covid caution, and collaboration
AMPLIFY
Producing and sharing both these masks and their creation process will amplify the impact of this open source manufacturing technology and demonstrate the radical and collaborative changes that community investment and creation can have on necessary progress.
