Embodiments of the invention encompass the ex vivo production of cartilage from chondrocytes differentiated from fibroblasts or stem cells. In particular embodiments fibroblasts are subjected to conditions to produce chondrocytes in the form of cartilage tissue for example cartilage having a desired shape. In at least some embodiments a mold for the desired shape of the cartilage is produced from imaging of a body region of an individual in need thereof and the fibroblasts are seeded in the mold with particular conditions.
