How and when did redbubble begin?

Paul, Peter and I got together in 2006 and started working on ideas. Over time we began to wonder why we were not attracted to social networks and realized that we wanted to connect with people primarily (or at least initially) through our artistic works and we also realised that if we were to do so it would be great if they could be turned into real objects. RedBubble was designed to satisfy this aspiration - hence the blend of community, marketplace and print-on-demand service.

What are the main features of the website?

We aim to honour the art. Which means that we have to show it always in the most favorable way. The experience of posting a written work or image on the site should be like the experience of having it shown in a high end gallery or printed in a good book. So, firstly it must look great. Secondly people should be able to interact around it but in a respectful way. Thirdly it is available for sale in the case of images. And we are doing more work to allow words to be sold also.

Increasingly we are finding that people wish to engage with the site as a venue and forum for such things as:
- offline social get togethers
- competitions
- collaborations and finding work
- assistance and training

We are adding new modules all the time which provide for this functionality.

What has been the trick to maintaining an online presence?

You need to deliver something that is genuinely important to people. People on RedBubble talk about the site genuinely changing their lives as for the first time they can see themselves as an artist. Being true to the intent and needs of your members is the key.