It’s no secret that my output and presence have slipped significantly in the last 2-3 years. I’ve spent way too much mental and emotional energy trying to figure out why. If you’ve paid any kind of attention, you’re probably sick of it. I know I am! 

This post isn’t more of that, I promise. Instead of questioning what the hell fell apart, it’s time to focus on what’s next, and what’s changing at Doogs Models.

Because change is afoot. 

Why now?

I won’t drag this out, but I’m a big fan of context. In June, I left my corporate job with an eye toward taking a few months off. The particulars are a story for another time, but one of the biggest surprises of leaving corporate was the absolute ferocity with which my creativity resurfaced.

I don’t know if that job in particular was the thing shutting me down, or if it was any corporate job.

Whatever the case, the ideas are racing in from all directions. I’m even batting around concepts for novels, and I haven’t written fiction since my career careened in a notably copywriting direction. 

All of this means changes ahead for Doogs Models. Especially now that I’m wrapping up a lot of back-to-back travel. 

Fewer “IPMS Category” builds

The first change has been a long time coming. Expect far less emphasis on the military subjects that tend to dominate IPMS shows. Maybe I’ve built too many of them. Maybe it’s that building killing machines just feels crass in the current geopolitical moment. 

Maybe it’s just that I’m profoundly bored of them. Another Sherman on a French road? Wow. Germans pointing? Neat. An aircraft sitting on a tarmac…or almost worse…awkwardly posed “in flight”? I just can’t summon any interest. 

Am I the only one who feels straightjacketed by this aspect of the hobby? It’s like this weird, (largely) humorless, unimaginative box that we’ve just collectively climbed into for no fucking reason. 

More experimentation

One of my favorite side quests of the past several years was Tank the Rainbow. Sure, it was mostly just screwing around with color, but even that had a sense of whimsy and ridiculousness to it that was liberating. 

I’m planning to really lean into that. And push not just color, but subject, style, all of it. I want to play with lighting and theme and contrast. I want to tackle bases, and nature, and animals. I want to explore the beauty in the mundane, and the banality of the extraordinary. I want to do a lot more than build kits. I want to build worlds, and use modeling as a way to catch a glimpse of them. 

A return to videos

At least once a week, I get someone asking if I’m ever going to get back to videos. 

Yes, I am. 

I don’t know exactly what that’ll look like yet: maybe a return to long-form builds, maybe shorter dives into techniques or creative philosophy. Probably some silliness in Fusion and Blender, too.

But yes, videos will be back on the menu. 

A whole bunch of STLs

As my skills with Fusion and other 3D modeling applications has advanced in fits and starts, I’ve released a smattering of STLs. A 1/48 World War II carrier deck base. Rear instrument panel detail for the Meng F-4G Wild Weasel. 1/16 scale Sherman tracks.

But these releases have been scattershot at best. Undisciplined and inconsistent would be kind descriptors.

That, too, is changing.

How?

More STL releases, on a more consistent release schedule. If you want an early taste of what’s coming, you can find a few in-development announcements over on my patreon.

Speaking of consistency…

More consistency and predictability

One of my first priorities is getting more consistent with content. Particularly in the form of regular STL drops, posts, and videos.

I’m hoping that regular project output makes its way into the mix as well, but I have a feeling that’s going to be challenging until school’s back in session.

More STLs in more places

Right now, the STLs I’ve managed to release are available on Cults3D. Which is, all things considered, a pretty mediocre ecommerce experience. I’ll be maintaining my presence there, but also looking at expanding into selling STLs on Etsy and even right here (after some backend plumbing).

I’m also completely revamping my patreon. When I started it, I wasn’t sure what compelling value I could provide, and as a result it languished. Now that I know what I want to do with it, changes will be rolling out in August. The various subscription tiers are getting redesigned and (most) will include free STLs on a regular release cadence.

I’m also planning to launch a special limited tier that’ll be a hell of a deal for anybody who wants to sign on early.

No, I’m not planning on selling prints

As of right now, I have no plans to sell 3D prints. Production and fulfillment aren’t where I want to be burning my time and energy.

Lastly, Doogs Models is getting a full rebrand

As part of my shift away from military subjects and IPMS category builds, Doogs Models is also getting a rebrand. This has been inspired in no small part by my experiences at the Rocky Mountain Hobby Expo, which this year dropped “hobby” from the name.

I want to build something broader. Something that can resonate with a dollhouse builder or room miniaturist or a photographer who uses miniatures and models to create their compositions just as much as it does with scale modelers.

The Rocky Mountain Expo dropped “hobby”, and I’m dropping “models”. Sometime in the next few weeks, Doogs Models will become Doogs Studios.

I can’t wait to share more of what I’ve got planned!