Millennials and Modeling

laskdjn

I was born in 1982.  That puts me at about either the trail end of Gen X or the beginning edge of Millenials, depending on how you look at it.  I really don't consider myself a Millenial, though, because I actually don't mind hard work, and can deal without immediate gratification... 

However, unlike Clemens, one of my co-workers also builds, though.  But him and I are the only ones I know.

 

I was born in 87 and at 30 I'm the youngest one in the hobby shop looking at model kits. But I hate being grouped into the millenial generation I tell people that I was a hold over from gen X. Could be worse could be a part of generation tide pod

I didn't expect my age to be such a surprise... 

I do agree that most people in my age group seem to have a very short attention span and almost no patience at all and I guess it really is a product of our environment. 

Personally, I can't stand not taking my time and doing things right. In my opinion, everything worth doing is also worth doing properly. I'm also not one to shy away from a bit of manual labor, as long as I'm at least remotely qualified to do it.

Many of my peers seem to lack that mindset and just want everything done asap with as little effort on their part as possible.

I guess I'm a bit of an oddball regarding those things and it can be pretty frustrating at times.

However, as long as I have people to talk to, I don't really mind, no matter if they're my age or older.

I was born in 1982.  That puts me at about either the trail end of Gen X or the beginning edge of Millenials, depending on how you look at it.  I really don't consider myself a Millenial, though, because I actually don't mind hard work, and can deal without immediate gratification... 

However, unlike Clemens, one of my co-workers also builds, though.  But him and I are the only ones I know.

In my IPMS and AMPS Chapters, we have a handful of “Millennials”. At 52 myself, I’m on the younger end of the age spectrum for both local chapters members. At the local shops, one has a large selection of Anime and Gundam kit subjects. That shop has plenty of Millennial customers. I actually  tend to see more of them in there on any given day than us OGs. Except when AMPS is going on and we take over the place before and after meetings. We meet a short distance away, and the shop is a big supporter of our chapter. One millennial I do know quite well has gotten into modeling again, my son. We did the usual father/son stuff, but he showed no interest in the stuff I like afterwards, except for Star Wars stuff. But, he did take an interest into Gundam and has been building those. Now that he is in the Air Force, some of his comrades have introduced him to Warhammer 40K, and he has started down that path. And he has also started ordering some of those Hasegawa & Bandai anime inspired Air Combat kits.  If anything is going to get the millennial generation into modeling, I suspect it will be similar stuff. Just like Italeri has gone down the “World of Tanks” route, or Dragon with “Girls und Panzer”. The younger folks may not have the historical inspiration like many of us, but instead be inspired by the gaming or video source. As long as it gets them involved and helps support the hobby, I’m all for it.

VA Spartan

Good evening, all.  Does anyone know any millennials that model?  

I happen to be a "millennial" that models, though I admit I'm on the older spectrum of being classified as a millennial.

I spend some of my spare time modeling for the very reasons the posters above think millennial’s don't. My professional job entails sitting at a computer screen and fixing things / helping the generation before me comprehend these new fangled (30 years old now) things called computers. Though I do still play video games at home, I enjoy spending some "wind down" time just relaxing at my workbench and focusing on such a tiny small trivial task. When the workday is all about the bottom line, bigger picture, losing money every second something doesn't work... It feels good to just zone out on something that ISN'T really important to anyone but me.

My girlfriend supports it, because she knows I’m just sitting in the garage and not out at the bar.

I honestly think the larger reason why it's dying off... it's not cool... plain and simple. Everyone I know already KNOWS that I'm a nerd, so it's not that big of a deal to me. But when I run across someone knew, or have a party and people see a model they always go "ohhh, that's so cute, you're like a real nerd".

It fits my life, I have a long term girlfriend, and a kid.... but if I was younger, single... those words would have been a death sentence. 

There are lots of things going against my generation, perceived and actual. The current cost of house where I live (average) is 650k. Rent on a 2bd? $2600/month. I have a pretty decent job, saving up all of my disposable income would allow me to afford the down payment on a house when I turn 40, to then start a 30 year mortgage.

Though many people here may not see the relation... The true fact's are that no one wants to be known as the 28 year old living at home with their parents building model airplanes in the basement. We essentially NEED to have a dual income just to get ahead, and it's going to be very hard to find someone to be that better half if you don't play your cards right.

So... in short, I don't know any other millennial modelers, but it's 99% because guys my age don't want the perception that comes along with it.

I wouldn't say Millenials are are lazy, just different. They're into computers, video games and social media. Making things with their hands isn't something the current generation is used to doing. Now a days they can find and do anything with a touch of a button. Need to buy something? Click... In an age of Youtube, Google, Amazon and drones and computer information systems, the most valuable skills now a days revolve around sitting in front of a screen not putting things together.

However, I think as society moves away from making things with their hands there will eventually come a revival from traditionalist. Much like how people are starting to bike more and enjoy more outdoor activities, we'll probably see a revival of hobbies that the older generation grew up with.

I like your line of thought Steve. I guess time'll tell though.

I'm not sure about the demise of the hobby just yet. Like was said, gundam is huge. every time I go to HobbyTown I will see maybe one other guy my age, late 50's, looking at the standard stuff (we all like) while two or three young folks, and some with parents, drooling over gundam. The other day one little guy was heartbroken because his dad told him to wait a week. I even saw a young man with his pretty girlfriend pick up the Bandi Millennium Falcon kit, you know the BIG 1/72 one for $300+ and say that's what I want for my birthday! His GF just snorted and said "yeah, that's not going to happen" so he went around the corner to look at the cars LOL.
I'm not into gundam myself but hey, they're models and isn't that what this hobby is about, modeling something that's real or imagined?

Sometimes I go to HL to get some water making materials or artist acrylic, or even look at the model section to see what they may have that I want with the 40% off coupon and I will almost always see a child with his, or her, father or mother grabbing a kit, and not the pre-painted or snap stuff either, these are the old Revell kits! I've even see the old Revell Missouri sold more than a few times. The older guys like me are looking at the cars, the kids or looking at ships, tanks and planes, and usually Revell.

The hobby is on fire in Asia and Japan and I think even eastern Europe. I feel that while our youngans may not be into it right now, as they get older they may come to appreciate the joy of the creation and artistry of the hobby. I think it will survive just fine, with or without the millennials.

Just my .

hogfanfs

First off, holy smokes, SS, I thought you were much older.

ajlafleche

At the risk of being seen as a heretic, think Gundam. My club introduced these as a class at our contest this year. It was just about the most populated class. The  entrants were generally in their 20's. Several hobby shop owners have told me these kits are bringing in even teen aged girls and people are buying them in bunches. We should be reachiong out to them, welcoming them if they show up at a meeting or contest and listening to them as they describe the backstory as enthusiastically as some of us talking about a Panzer IV aufs G or a P-51D vs a P-51B.

 

I bought my first Gundam just a few months ago,   mainly because someone from the Gundam club left a really cool one on display at my LHS and I want to do it like he did.

John

SchattenSpartan

I don't think I ever revealed my age on this forum. 

I was born in October of 1997, which means I'm currently 20 years old. (not sure if that's a surprise to anyone here)

Unfortunately I also don't know anyone even remotely my age who is into this hobby and also not many of my peers share any interests with me.

There are some exceptions of course, but almost everyone I ever met at my LHS is at least twice my age.

I do love this hobby however and I honestly don't really care how old my fellow modellers are as long as there are others out there I can share it with.

Cheers, Clemens

 

I have had the chance over the past 4-5 years to teach a class on how to build models with our home school group.   So every month of the school year I would have 8-12 kids in my class and would build a model.  40% off michaels and Hobby lobby coupons help a lot.    lots of fun, and the kids keep coming back every quarter.  So there is hope that some of them in the future will pick it up.

John

I don't think I ever revealed my age on this forum. 

I was born in October of 1997, which means I'm currently 20 years old. (not sure if that's a surprise to anyone here)

Unfortunately I also don't know anyone even remotely my age who is into this hobby and also not many of my peers share any interests with me.

There are some exceptions of course, but almost everyone I ever met at my LHS is at least twice my age.

I do love this hobby however and I honestly don't really care how old my fellow modellers are as long as there are others out there I can share it with.

Cheers, Clemens

At the risk of being seen as a heretic, think Gundam. My club introduced these as a class at our contest this year. It was just about the most populated class. The  entrants were generally in their 20's. Several hobby shop owners have told me these kits are bringing in even teen aged girls and people are buying them in bunches. We should be reachiong out to them, welcoming them if they show up at a meeting or contest and listening to them as they describe the backstory as enthusiastically as some of us talking about a Panzer IV aufs G or a P-51D vs a P-51B.

Hi Tojo 72 !

 I am with you . I was born Before the end of the World War 2 But actually in the Middle of the thing . Does that make me a Dinosaur ? What IS a Millenial and how do they get that way ? Poor things . From what I've heard , I feel sorry for them .

 Gen X , Gen Y , what is with all the alphabet stuff anyway ?

armornut

  Not trying to be a negative nelly, I think millennial are more interested in making a ton of money with very little effort. Model building requires attention to detail and patience, I don't see many young people with these traits. HOWEVER if we old guys keep hinting hiw cool tthis hobby can be when those "kids" grow up, we may see a resurgance.

 

What he said. Though i am not so syre there will ever be a resurgance. I think at best we have another 10 years of 40 somthing coming back into the hobby who used to model as kids.

I joined my first modeling club when I was 16.  I was one of about three teenagers in a club of about twenty.  There was concern in that era that the hobby was not appealing to enough young people.  Ever since there has been that concern, yet the hobby survives.  I never did join a model railroading club.  None of my friends in the modeling hobby were into model RR. Yet, today the RR hobby is very strong.  I think throughout the history of modeling, the hobby has been primarily adult based.  And yes, my current model club does have millenial members.

  Not trying to be a negative nelly, I think millennial are more interested in making a ton of money with very little effort. Model building requires attention to detail and patience, I don't see many young people with these traits. HOWEVER if we old guys keep hinting hiw cool tthis hobby can be when those "kids" grow up, we may see a resurgance.