‘Star Wars’ Prototype Has Hoosier Connection
The prototype was used for displays at Target stores nationwide.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowShoppers at Target stores across the country have a seen a large, interactive display featuring the BB-8 droid from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The prototype for that display was created by Noblesville-based Realize Inc.
Realize is a rapid prototyping and 3D printing company. President Todd Reese says the company was contacted in February to create the prototype which would be used for the toy displays beginning on September 4, otherwise known as "Force Friday."
Reese says he didn’t know specifically what the design was for until he got the 3D designs and, being a Star Wars fan, thought it looked like a Death Star.
"I just happened to go back and reference the teaser trailer from The Force Awakens which was released two months earlier," says Reese. "So I went back and watched that because I remembered seeing that little robot bouncing around on the sand for just a few seconds and I did a little freeze frame and the markings were virtually identical."
Reese says he and his team were very excited to be involved with the Star Wars franchise. "Just to know that a little company from Noblesville, Indiana is working something this high-profile was quite exciting and when word started to spread through the company as to what we were doing, there was definitely a buzz in the building."
Reese says the company had to keep the project quiet for about nine months. He says his company was allowed to create a second prototype for their own display but they weren’t allowed to tell anyone about it until the movie was released.
You can see more about the design process from Realize Inc. by viewing the video below:
Realize Inc. President Todd Reese says he and his team were excited to work on a project affiliated with Star Wars.
