The Maker

At a glance

Code

HSEM

Leans

Hands-on · Solo · Explorer · Mastery

Interests that tend to fit

Cooking, Programming, Woodworking, Data Science, Fashion Design, AI / ML

What being The Maker means

You understand things by taking them apart and putting them back together better. You love trying new tools and techniques until you've mastered them.

You learn by building, tinkering and testing. You would rather take the thing apart than read about it, and each failed attempt is information, not a setback. The workshop, garage or desk with half-finished projects is where you feel most like yourself.

What it often looks like

• You try it first and read the manual after.
• You have a drawer or a folder of components, scraps and ideas.
• You enjoy fixing things as much as making them.
• You get absorbed for hours and forget to eat.

How the four leanings fit together

Your type comes from four choices in the test. Each one is a lean, not a box: most people sit somewhere between the two poles.

• Hands-on over ideas. You learn by doing, and you trust what you can see, touch and try.
• Solo over team. You concentrate and recharge best without an audience.
• Explorer over planner. You'd rather start and adjust. Too much planning feels like standing still.
• Mastery over giving. What pulls you forward is getting great at something.

Strengths

• Rapid prototyping and learning by doing
• Practical problem-solving
• Resilience when things don't work
• Combining tools and materials in new ways
• Teaching yourself new skills

Watch-outs

Every type has a shadow side. These are the ones The Maker tends to meet.

• Leaving projects unfinished. Choose a few to take all the way.
• Skipping the documentation. Future you, and others, will want notes.
• Perfecting the tool instead of the product. Make something people can use.
• Working alone too long. Other makers can unlock your next step.

The What's Holding You Back? quiz looks at five common habits like these.

Where The Maker tends to thrive

These are examples of where the pattern fits, not a list of jobs you must pick from.

• Hardware, electronics and robotics
• Product development and prototyping
• Software that you can see and touch, such as games and physical computing
• Repair, restoration and fabrication

The Ikigai test goes further: it asks what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs and what you can be paid for, for the specific interests you choose.

One letter away: the neighbouring types

Your type sits next to four others. Each differs from The Maker by exactly one leaning. If you scored close to the middle on an axis, you may recognise yourself in a neighbour too.

• If you lean Ideas instead of Hands-onThe AlchemistTurns curiosity into original ideas.
• If you lean Team instead of SoloThe PerformerShines in the moment, alongside others.
• If you lean Planner instead of ExplorerThe ArtisanPerfects a craft with patient hands.
• If you lean Giving instead of MasteryThe RangerExplores the world and protects what matters.

See all 16 Ikigai types

Frequently asked questions

Next steps

1. Take the Ikigai Type Test if you haven't. It's free and quick.
2. Find your Ikigai to match your type with interests you love, are good at, the world needs and you can be paid for.
3. Add to your character. Each quiz unlocks an item on your shareable card: Strengths, Values, Career interests, all quizzes.
4. Read more: what Ikigai means, purpose vs. passion, the four circles.