Arcade is the first AI product creation platform in the world, co-founded by Mariam Naficy on September 20, 2024. Currently in beta, Arcade enables anyone to design, purchase, and sell custom, manufactured products with a text or image prompt. Through this AI marketplace, Arcade offers unique and personalized products.
How does it work?
- The customer (Dreamer) creates a product by typing a description or uploading an image of the product.
- AI generates the image, price, materials, and dimensions of each product.
- Customers can share or purchase the product.
- After a customer buys a product, a Maker (an artisan, brand, or manufacturer from the Arcade marketplace) creates the item.
Users can promote their creations, earning a percentage of every sale.
Playing at the Arcade
I decided to test Arcade and searched for asymmetrical stud earrings using a reference image. The results, while different from my prompt, incorporated key details from the picture. These items demonstrate how Arcade takes key words from the prompt and provides a few images that Makers can realistically create.
Left: Image prompt used on Arcade (Ana Luisa), Right: Product Results (Arcade)
To protect artists and prevent copyright infringement, Arcade trains the AI model to never copy a design exactly as shown in the uploaded image. Unlike jewelers who can replicate the same item from an image, Arcade needs to alter the final product.
Minted CEO Naficy explained, “We can block certain words from being used in the prompt layer. Also, in our image functionality, we can dial up how strongly the AI is allowed to deviate from the source image” (TechCrunch).
Pricing and Materials
My search revealed earrings valued between $68 and a steep $1,770. These prices range higher than traditional jewelers or platforms like Amazon and Etsy. Arcade uses a limited selection of high-quality materials, such as 14-karat gold and sterling silver, which may lead to high costs. Naficy confirmed that Arcade plans to expand its material offerings soon.
Things to consider
While Arcade represents an innovative blend of e-commerce and AI, users should consider:
- Quality control and production capacity as demand grows
- No exact replication of an item is allowed if you wish to copy an image
- Competition from established platforms and local artisans
- Balancing AI and human connection, particularly when consumers trust someone to personalize expensive items
- An average wait time is 2-3 weeks to receive a product
Looking Ahead
In the future, Arcade plans to expand its offerings into accessories, apparel, and leather goods, further broadening its market appeal. This vision attracted significant financial backing, with $17 million in funding from notable investors such as Ashton Kutcher, Reid Hoffman, Colin Kaepernick, and Karlie Kloss.
Conclusion
Arcade presents an exciting new frontier in personalized products. However, I will wait to buy from Arcade until I understand the craftsmanship and pricing structure. As the platform develops, I am interested to see how Arcade addresses challenges and grows its unique position in the market.
Check out Arcade: https://www.arcade.ai/
Cover Photo: @themjewelers via Instagram
Glammer Society 
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