A colorful 3D printed Gary the Snail speaker made from recycled tech, situated on a desk.

Unique Speaker Art: Gary the Snail from SpongeBob Transformed with 3D Printing and Recycled Tech

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Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-07-24

Reimagining a Beloved Character

South Korean content creator and 3D pen artist, Momandeum, ingeniously transforms a simple alarm clock into a functional speaker inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants’ pet, Gary the Snail. This creative project showcases a blend of reused electronics and custom 3D-printed components, bringing the animated character to life while providing practical utility.

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Close-up of Gary the Snail speaker showcasing intricate 3D printed details and wiring.

The Creative Process Behind Gary’s Design

The transformation begins by completely dismantling the original alarm clock. Each electronic part is measured and incorporated into a new digital model. Momandeum meticulously designs the snail’s body, shell, and eyes, then produces these parts using 3D printing. The components undergo extensive finishing, including trimming, sanding, and the application of primer and paint. Special care is taken to capture the flat colors and exaggerated details that define the cartoon’s style.

Side view of the Gary the Snail speaker highlighting the curled shell design.

Integrating Technology Seamlessly

Magnets play a critical role in assembling the final sculpture, ensuring easy access to electronics while maintaining the appearance of a seamless design. The base, supporting Gary’s body, discreetly houses the charging coil, wiring, and original alarm clock circuitry. Thus, the artwork functions as a character sculpture, Bluetooth speaker, and wireless phone charger. Appropriately, the first sounds from the speaker are a series of Gary’s iconic meows from the show.

Gary the Snail speaker on a table beside tools used for 3D printing.

Detailing the Craftsmanship

Momandeum’s attention to detail extends to the finishing touches, with hand-painted outlines enhancing the cartoon-like finish of the 3D-printed components. The device’s turntable-inspired base cleverly conceals the recycled circuit board, making the speaker’s transformation both innovative and aesthetically pleasing.

Person adjusting the wiring on the back of the Gary the Snail speaker model.

This creative endeavor not only pays homage to SpongeBob’s universe but also exemplifies the potential of combining @momandeum’s unique designs with everyday technology.

The base of the speaker revealing recycled materials and circuitry components.
Front view of the speaker showing Gary’s eyes as speaker components.
3D printer in action creating part of the Gary the Snail speaker shell.
Gary the Snail speaker displayed on a shelf amid other tech ornaments.
Close-up showing the speaker’s fabric texture and sound output areas.

Sources & Links

Source: designboom.com

Frequently asked questions

How was the Gary the Snail speaker created?

The speaker was created by transforming a simple alarm clock into a sculpture using 3D-printed components and reused electronics. The artist designed and produced the snail’s body, shell, and eyes, then assembled them with magnets for seamless integration of technology.

What components were used in the Gary speaker project?

The components used in the project include parts from an alarm clock, 3D-printed pieces for the snail’s body, shell, and eyes, and magnets for assembly. The base discreetly houses the charging coil, wiring, and original alarm clock circuitry.

How does the Gary speaker maintain a cartoon-style appearance?

The Gary speaker maintains a cartoon-style appearance through meticulous design and finishing touches. The 3D-printed components are trimmed, sanded, and painted to capture the flat colors and exaggerated details typical of the cartoon’s style, with hand-painted outlines enhancing the finish.