Business

Emerging Objects Introduces Mud 3D Printing

Published

6 years ago

October 25, 2019

Today, when 3D printing is at its peak, anyone can find an affordable machine for themselves that can print with a large variety of consumable materials. Apparently, even regular mud can be a consumable, as Emerging Objects’ designers and architects demonstrated in practice.

Mud Frontiers proves that it’s viable to use 3D printing technologies instead of sculpting with your own hands with what you can find. The project started as an experiment to reproduce the handmade clay structures and pottery made of mud and clay taken from Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountains, located in New Mexico and Colorado. The team then decided to start a much larger project, inspired by the fact that for centuries, the Natives of those lands created not only pottery, but also dwellings from nothing but mud.

The team’s efforts have led to the development of four unique experimental huts built with a mixture of clay soil and wheat straw – Beacon, Lookout, Hearth and Kiln. Beacon was created to find a way to make the wall as thin as possible. Its name was given due to the illumination of indentations along the wall at night, which makes it resemble a beacon. Lookout uses coils to create a staircase. Hearth has a curling mud bench inside that wraps around a fireplace in the middle of the structure. The last one, Kiln, was turned into a simple pottery workshop, returning to the production of clay pots.

The main workshop works mostly with juniper wood, which was also used as mud-wall reinforcement for Hearth: you can even see the bars sticking out. The walls were printed on a Potterbot XLS-1 3D printer, developed by 3D Potter. The printer is based on a rarely applied 3D printing technology named SCARA.

One or two operators working with the 3D printer can effectively replace a team of six sculptors. The printed structure is up to 2.75 meters in height and 2.5 meters in diameter when the system prints with 360-degree rotation.

The whole experiment was a kind of a response to the an article in the Smithsonian magazine called “40 Things You Need to Know About the Next 40 Years”. It’s particularly stated there that we will have to eat jellyfish (because nothing else will remain in the sea), the world will be ruled by artists, musicians, comedians and other creative personalities, and all the advanced structures will be built of mud.

Business

The Key Components of a Successful Digital Marketing Strategy

Published

2 days ago

November 16, 2025

Matthew Wiles

In today’s hyper-connected world, a well-defined digital marketing strategy is essential for any business that wants to grow, build brand trust, and stay competitive. Whether you’re a local retailer, an eCommerce business, or a professional service provider, your online presence plays a major role in shaping how your audience perceives you. For example, industries like legal services are increasingly recognising the benefits of specialised digital marketing for law firms to attract and engage clients in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Below, we explore the key components that make up a successful digital marketing strategy—and how to align them with your business goals.

Clear Objectives and Measurable Goals

Every effective strategy begins with a clear understanding of what success looks like. Your goals might include increasing website traffic, generating leads, improving search engine visibility, or enhancing customer retention. Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) objectives helps ensure that each marketing activity contributes to tangible outcomes.

A Strong Brand Identity

Your digital marketing efforts should reflect a cohesive brand identity that resonates across every channel—your website, social media, email campaigns, and online ads. Consistent visual design, tone of voice, and messaging establish credibility and make your business instantly recognisable.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

SEO remains the backbone of digital visibility. From on-page content optimisation and keyword targeting to technical site health and link-building, SEO ensures your business appears where customers are actively searching. Local SEO, in particular, helps businesses connect with audiences in specific geographic areas—an essential tactic for professionals and service-based businesses.

Engaging Content Marketing

High-quality, relevant content builds authority and nurtures relationships. Blogs, videos, infographics, podcasts, and whitepapers provide opportunities to educate, entertain, and inspire your audience. Great content not only boosts SEO performance but also establishes your brand as a trusted industry leader.

Social Media Engagement

Social platforms allow you to interact directly with your audience, showcase brand personality, and promote your services. The key is to use the right platform for your audience—LinkedIn for B2B engagement, Instagram for visual storytelling, or Facebook for community connection. Regular posting, active engagement, and data analysis are crucial for success.

Paid Advertising (PPC and Social Ads)

Paid campaigns can provide immediate visibility and lead generation, especially when combined with strong targeting and data insights. Tools like Google Ads and Meta Ads Manager allow you to reach specific demographics, remarket to previous visitors, and maximise ROI through ongoing optimisation.

Email Marketing and Automation

Email remains one of the most effective tools for nurturing relationships. Automated workflows can deliver personalised experiences, keeping leads engaged throughout the buyer journey. From newsletters to drip campaigns, consistent and value-driven communication is key.

Data Analytics and Continuous Optimisation

No digital marketing strategy is complete without performance tracking. Tools like Google Analytics, social insights, and CRM data reveal what’s working—and what’s not. Regularly reviewing metrics enables businesses to refine their strategy and continually improve results.

Final Thoughts

A successful digital marketing strategy is more than a checklist—it’s an evolving framework built on research, creativity, and constant learning. When each component works together seamlessly, your business can attract, engage, and convert customers more effectively, while maintaining a powerful and professional online presence.